Cholesterol 101: What's A Safe Level?

GRAPEVINE, Texas -- About 105 million Americans have a total cholesterol of 200 or higher -- a level at which cardiovascular risk begins to rise. But just knowing your total cholesterol may not be enough to really indicate your risk for heart disease and stroke.

Today, Diane Bosworth takes time to see the beauty around her. She knows life can be fragile.

"They used to say you're a walking time bomb," she said.

At one time, Bosworth's total cholesterol was over 400. The recommended level is below 200.

"I didn't look forward to a stroke, and that's really where I was headed," she said.

That's why Dr. John Osborne encourages people to learn about their cholesterol ... and not just their total cholesterol.

"The LDLs, the bad cholesterols, the HDL, the good cholesterols -- the triglycerides," said Osborne, a cardiologist at CSANT Cardiology in Grapevine, Texas.

LDL should be below 100 and HDL between 40 and 60. Triglycerides should stay below 150. Osborne says avoiding certain foods can help.

"Trans-fatty acids are particularly bad because they elevate the LDL, and they lower your HDL, and they raise triglycerides, so they are the neutron bomb of lipids," he said.

Simple carbohydrates like pasta and bread lower good cholesterol and raise triglycerides. The good news is that tests now let you find out your levels and your risk in seconds.

"We can get results back right away and make a plan to say 'this is what we're going to need to do,'" Osborne said.

And there's more good news. Osborne said you can actually regress these plaques, and doctors know that from lots and lots of different data.

After drugs and natural treatments, Bosworth's cholesterol is down to about 230.

"We're gonna get it down all the way," she said.

Osborne said the importance of knowing your triglycerides is that high levels could indicate the onset of metabolic syndrome, which is a risk for heart disease and diabetes.

If you would like more information, please contact:

Timothy Still
Vice President, Sales and Marketing
Cholestech Corporation
3347 Investment Blvd.
Hayward, CA 94545-3808
(800) 733-0404
http://www.cholestech.com

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