What's Your Heart Disease Risk?

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What's Your Heart Disease Risk? advertisement

During a routine physical, your doctor may take a blood sample for a

" lipoprotein " profile, which measures your cholesterol and triglyceride (a type

of fat that circulates in your blood) levels. This is an inexpensive and simple

blood test, and it's recommended at least every five years for all adults

starting at 20. (Individuals who are at risk for heart disease, such as those

with a family history of heart disease, should be

tested more often.) February is National Heart Health Month, so it's the

perfect time to gain an understanding of this profile and learn whether you're

at high risk for heart disease.

To get an accurate reading, you'll need to fast (abstain from consuming

all food and beverages, except water) for nine to 12 hours before your blood is

drawn. Otherwise, your results may be compromised by the types of food you have

eaten. Having your blood drawn first thing in the morning is easiest; you can

resume your normal meal plan for the rest of the day.

A lipoprotein profile shows:

a.. Total cholesterol

b.. HDL (the " good " ) cholesterol

c.. LDL (the " bad " ) cholesterol

d.. Triglycerides (blood fats)

Government and health organizations recommend the following cholesterol

and triglyceride levels for the general public:

a.. Total cholesterol < 200 mg/dL

b.. LDL cholesterol < 100 mg/dL;

c.. HDL cholesterol > 40 mg/dL

d.. Triglycerides < 150 mg/dL

Cholesterol and triglyceride levels that fall outside of this range are

considered risk factors for heart disease. For individuals who have a higher

risk for heart disease, such as those who have sustained a heart attack, the

recommended ranges are set lower.

Modifying your lifestyle by reducing the amount of saturated fat and

dietary cholesterol you eat and engaging in regular exercise - weight-healthy

improvements outlined in The South Beach DietT - can go a long way to improve

the results of your lipoprotein profile and, thus, lower your risk for heart

disease. If you smoke, quitting will help raise your HDL. Be advised that

heredity can be a factor in your test results (and your risk for heart disease),

particularly with respect to LDL and triglyceride levels. Based on your specific

circumstances, your doctor can recommend lifestyle changes, medication, or a

combination of the two to control your cholesterol and triglyceride levels and

lower your risk of heart disease.