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High cholesterol a preventable problem

  • Published
  • By Danielle Gregory
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., --  High cholesterol is the leading preventable disease treated at the Tinker Medical facilities here at Tinker. The 72nd Medical Group is helping to promote September as National Cholesterol Education Month. 

"Don't be fooled into thinking that high cholesterol cannot affect you. That could be a fatal mistake. High blood cholesterol can absolutely affect anyone. But on a more positive note, it's great to know that everyone can take steps to lower it," said Lt. Col. Todd Miller, 72nd MDG Health Care Integrator. 

High Cholesterol 
If there is too much cholesterol in the blood, some of the excess can become trapped in artery walls. Over time, this builds up and is called plaque. The plaque can narrow vessels and make them less flexible, a condition called atherosclerosis or "hardening of the arteries." 

This process can happen to blood vessels anywhere in the body, including those of the heart, the coronary arteries. If these become partly blocked by plaque, then the blood may not be able to bring enough oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle. This can cause chest pain, or angina, a precursor to heart attack. High cholesterol is a serious condition that increases the risk for heart disease, the No. 1 killer of Americans. The higher the blood cholesterol level, the greater the risk. 

Fortunately, for people with high blood cholesterol, there are steps to lower it. Three areas in particular are diet, physical activity and weight management. Sometimes drug treatment may also be needed to lower blood cholesterol. If caught early, medicinal use may be delayed or avoided. 

"If you are between the ages of 40 and 65 and do not know your own cholesterol levels, I'd recommend requesting a lipid panel, cholesterol test, from your provider at the first opportunity," said Colonel Miller. 

Medicine
"Once diagnosed, strict cholesterol control is imperative in patients with medical complications such as a previous heart attack or stroke, peripheral vascular disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm and diabetes," said Mikyla Pace, Doctor of Pharmacy, 72nd MDG. 

There are several classes of medications used to control cholesterol in different ways. Patients should discuss with their physician which one is right for them. 

"Statistics show that a large number of people who are started on cholesterol medications will not be taking them a year from now. It is important people take ownership of their own health, implement a healthy lifestyle, take prescribed medications consistently, and stay in close communication with their physician and pharmacist," said Ms. Pace. 

Fitness
"The American Heart Association recommends that everyone engage in 30 to 60 minutes of aerobic exercise most days of the week. As many as 250,000Americans die each year from lack of regular physical activity, that is approximately 12 percent of all deaths," said Mr. Tony Arroyo, fitness instructor, Health and Wellness Center. 

Staying fit plays a major role in the fight to better cholesterol levels. "During the cholesterol class I provide examples/tips on increasing physical activity throughout the day and how consistency of movement or physical activity will produce optimal results in improving health and reducing risks," said Mr. Arroyo. 

Eating Right
"The American Heart Association recommends the Therapeutic Lifestyle Change diet for those looking to reduce their cholesterol through diet," said Wendi L. Knowles, Health Promotions, Tinker Health and Wellness Center. "The two primary components of this lifestyle include reduction of saturated fat to seven percent of overall calories and limiting dietary cholesterol to 200 milligrams a day." 

Effective ways to reduce saturated fat include choosing lean cut meats and removing visible fat, remove skin from poultry prior to cooking, and replacing beef with turkey in recipes. Eggs are the primary source of cholesterol with 212 milligrams per egg, coming mostly from the yolk. The recommendation is no more than two eggs yolks per week. The cholesterol and fat of an egg is contained in the egg yolk. 

Ms. Knowles suggested that when baking or cooking use egg substitute or two egg whites and one egg yolk instead of two whole eggs and eating a "plant protein one night a week to reduce cholesterol and saturated fat, ie, "beans and rice." 

For more information, contact Lt. Col. Todd Miller or Maj. Jane Free, health care integrators, 72nd MDG, at 736-2259 or 736-2799.