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Very high cholesterol levels may be inherited
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Do you have a family history of early heart attacks — men in their 40s and 50s, or women in their 50s and 60s? You may be at risk of familial hypercholesterolemia, which can lead to heart attacks at a young age. This condition begins at birth. People who have it can have total cholesterol levels exceeding 300 mg/dL (250 mg/dL in children). However, treatment, such as medicine and lifestyle changes, may help lower the risk of heart disease.
Experts recommend screening for abnormal cholesterol levels in men ages 20 to 35 and women ages 20 and older if they’re at an increased risk of heart disease. They recommend that all men ages 35 and older should be screened. Talk with your doctor about when and how often you should be tested.
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 Quiz: Check your cholesterol IQ
True or false? You want to avoid heart disease.
The answer is easy. We all want to steer clear of the deadliest disease in the United States. But, it’s not so simple to know how to go about it. Understanding and controlling cholesterol is a key part of reducing risk of a heart attack. This fat-like substance can build up in the walls of your arteries, which can lead to narrowing of the blood vessels that supply blood to vital organs. Too much buildup can slow or even stop blood flow to the heart, causing a heart attack.
So, how much do you know about your risk? Take this quick quiz to test your cholesterol IQ.
1. Cholesterol is produced in the:
a. Heart
b. Liver
c. Thyroid
Answer: b. You get some cholesterol from your diet, but your liver naturally produces all you need — about 1,000 milligrams daily. That’s right — your body needs some cholesterol. For instance, it plays an important role in hormone production. But, too much of the substance can be dangerous to your heart health.
2. High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are also known as:
a. Triglycerides
b. “Good” cholesterol
c. “Bad” cholesterol
Answer: b. There are two types of cholesterol: high- and low-density lipoproteins — HDL and LDL. You also have a third type of blood fat, called triglycerides. HDL, the “good” cholesterol helps remove LDL, the “bad” cholesterol, from your body. The higher your level of HDL, the lower your chances of acquiring heart disease. High LDL and triglyceride levels can raise your risk.
Healthful levels include:
- Total cholesterol less than 200 mg/dL
- HDL — 40 mg/dL or higher for men, 50 mg/dL or higher for women
- LDL — less than 100 mg/dL
- Triglycerides — below 150 mg/dL
3. Which of the following does not raise LDL cholesterol?
a. Fish, nuts, seeds and vegetable oils
b. Animal and dairy products
c. Hydrogenated oils
Answer: a. Unsaturated fats — from fish, nuts, seeds and oils from plants — don’t raise LDL cholesterol. Saturated fats, from animal and dairy products, and trans fats, from hydrogenated oils, are the main dietary factors that can raise LDL cholesterol.
4. People with high cholesterol commonly have:
a. Earaches
b. Fungal infections
c. No symptoms
Answer: c. High cholesterol usually doesn't cause symptoms. That’s why it’s important to get your cholesterol checked by a doctor. A blood test can tell you what your levels are. Regular screening is recommended starting at age 35 for men and age 45 for women. If you’re at high risk of heart disease, talk with your doctor about getting tested sooner.
5. Which of the following can help you maintain healthful cholesterol levels?
a. Exercise
b. Healthful diet
c. Weight loss, if needed
d. Medication
e. All of the above
Answer: e. Often, high cholesterol can be lowered with lifestyle changes alone. For example:
- Eat less saturated and trans fats. For instance, replace butter with olive oil. Also, choose leans meats and fat-free dairy.
- Increase your fiber intake. Foods like oatmeal and apples are good sources.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Talk with your doctor about whether you need to lose weight.
- Exercise. Aim for at least 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity activity, such as a brisk walk, every week.
For some people, lifestyles changes alone aren’t enough to lower cholesterol. Your doctor may prescribe medicine to help lower it.
So, how’d you do? If you got them all right — good for you. If you missed a few, it’s OK. Just talk with your doctor about what you can do to help make sure your cholesterol is under control.
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Know your risk
Visit myuhc.com and check out the “Heart Attack Risk Calculator.” Click “Health & Wellness,” then “Tools.”
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