|  
ARE YOU AT RISK FOR CARDIAC HEALTH COMPLICATIONS
DUE TO
CHOLESTEROL PROBLEMS?
Heart-Care and Surgical Associates has a Lipid and Risk Management Program set up to help answer your questions about Cholesterol-related issues and supply treatment if necessary. The Lipid Clinic is under the direction of Thomas B. Moore, M.D., a board certified cardiologist with special interest in the area of cholesterol and cardiac rehabilitation.
Want to find out more about the Cholesterol Management Program?
Give us a call at 417-781-5387 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and ask for details on enrollment.
CLICK HERE for a list of tips for lowering cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart disease and complications.
Here is a table of risk factors as supplied by the NATIONAL CHOLESTEROL EDUCATION PROGRAM:
Positive Risk Factors that place you at a greater risk:-
Age:
Male over 45 years of age
Female over 55 years or premature menopause without estrogen replacement therapy
- Family history of premature heart disease
- Current cigarette smoking
- Hypertension (more than 140/90 mmHg or on medication to lower blood pressure
- Low HDL-Cholesterol (less than 35 mg/dL as confirmed by measurements on several occasions)
- Diabetes mellitus
Negative Risk Factor (If the HDL-Cholesterol level is greater than 60 mg/dL, subtract one risk factor because high HDL-Cholesterol levels decrease CHD risk)
- High HDL-Cholesterol (greater than 60 mg/dL)
|
Below are some common comments made and questions asked, followed by the answers:
"I thought my cholesterol was fine!"
Simply knowing your total cholesterol is not enough. In patients with known heart or vascular disease, cholesterol lowering is the single most effective way to decrease the chance of another heart attack, stroke and sudden death.
"Where should my cholesterol levels be?"
If you have heart disease or other hardening of the arteries, your:
- LDL-Cholesterol (the "lousy" cholesterol) should be below 100 mg/dI
- HDL-Cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol) should be above 35 mg/dI
- Triglycerides should be below 200 mg/dI
For people without heart disease, LDL Cholesterol goals vary, depending on the number of risk factors present. Goals are based on the National Cholesterol Education Program Guidelines and an individualized risk factor assessment.
"Why is lowering LDL-Cholesterol important?"
Lowering LDL-Cholesterol to less than 100 mg/dI in patients with heart disease significantly reduces the risk of having a second heart attack or of needing future procedures such as bypass surgery or angioplasty. If your LDL level is below 100, you also reduce the chance of death by 30-40% over the next 5 years.
"Why should I enroll in the Cholesterol Management Program?"
Cholesterol problems are "silent" and often go undetected and untreated. Your doctor knows that our staff will work with you to develop an individualized plan to improve your cholesterol and lower your risk of heart disease. Additionally, your progress and treatment will be carefully monitored in a unique and systematic way that would be difficult for your doctor to do alone.
If you make the commitment to learn and participate, we have the information, treatment, and system to help you!
"What will the Cholesterol Management Staff do for me?"
- Review your medical and family history and screen for other diseases that cause high cholesterol.
- A Lipid nurse case manager will explain your blood test results, and establish individualized goals for you based on up-to-date research.
- Provide you with instruction on low fat, low cholesterol, high fiber eating and a simple approach to a specific dietary plan for you, sometimes requiring referral to a dietician.
- Provide long-term monitoring of your cholesterol and relevant therapy (diet, exercise, weight loss, lipid medication).
- Send regular progress reports to your cardiologist and your family physician as indicated.
Click here to return to the top of the page |
