September is National Cholesterol Education Month

Cholesterol Screenings and their Role in Protecting Your Heart

Heart disease is the number one cause of deaths in Kentucky, with Kentucky ranking 9^th in the nation. With this staggering statistic, the importance of good cholesterol health cannot be overstated.

Cholesterol, a waxy substance found in the bloodstream, plays a pivotal role in your body as it is needed to build cells and make vitamins and other hormones. But too much cholesterol can pose a problem.

Cholesterol comes from two different sources: your liver and the food you eat. Your liver makes all the cholesterol your body needs to function. Cholesterol from the food you eat comes from animals, including meat, poultry, and dairy. Other foods that are high in saturated and trans fats, can make your liver produce more cholesterol than it otherwise would. Some tropical oils, such as coconut oil, contain saturated fat that can also increase cholesterol.

An imbalance in cholesterol levels can lead to atherosclerosis, which is when cholesterol joins with other substances to form thick, hard deposits in your arteries. If a blood clot forms and blocks one of these narrowed arteries, a heart attack or stroke can result.

Cholesterol screenings are vital tools in identifying individuals at risk of heart disease. These screenings, typically performed through a blood test, measure the levels of various types of cholesterol, including low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and total cholesterol.

• LDL cholesterol, often referred to as “bad” cholesterol, is associated with the buildup of plaque in arteries
• HDL cholesterol, or “good” cholesterol, helps remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream.
• Triglycerides are a type of fat in your blood that your body uses for energy.

The combination of high levels of triglycerides with low HDL and/or high LDL cholesterol levels can increase your risk for health problems, such as heart attack.

Early detection through cholesterol screenings allows your primary care provider to assess your risk profile and tailor interventions accordingly. The American Heart Association recommends that when it comes to cholesterol, remember to check, change, and control.

• Check your cholesterol levels.
• Change your diet and lifestyle to help improve your levels.
• Control your cholesterol, with help from your doctor, if needed.

Talk to your primary care doctor about how often to get your cholesterol checked. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most healthy adults should have their cholesterol checked every four to six years, noting that those who are at a higher risk for heart disease may need to get checked more frequently. For healthy children, it is recommended they have their cholesterol checked at least once between ages 9 and 11 and between ages 17 and 21. Talk to your child’s pediatrician to determine the best screening schedule for them.

As a part of National Cholesterol Education Month, Rockcastle Regional is offering free cholesterol screenings to the community during the week of September 15 through September 19. To get your free screening during that week, come to the laboratory on the second floor in the Outpatient Services Building between 7:00 am until 11:00am. If you would like to schedule Rockcastle Regional’s Mobile Health Clinic to provide free cholesterol screenings in your community, please contact Jana Bray at (606) 256-7880 or j.bray@rhrcc.org.