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What steps can I take to prevent coronary artery disease?
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Board-certified in cardiology internal medicine nuclear medicine and holistic medicine Dr Guarneri is the founder and medical director of the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine Her medical degree is from SUNY Medical…
FAST FACTS
What determines high cholesterol?
A total cholesterol level greater than 200 mg/dl is considered to be elevated. However, whether a high cholesterol level needs to be lowered by treatment depends on an individual’s risk for heart attack and stroke. Your risk for these events increases if you have a first degree relative who suffered a premature heart attack (age less than 55 years for men and age less than 65 for women), smoke cigarettes, have high blood pressure, are diabetic, older, or are male. If you have several of these risk factors you should keep your cholesterol at a lower level than someone with fewer risk factors. Of course, you should always consult your physician if you have any questions or concerns with your risk factors.
There are two types of cholesterol and it is important to know your levels of each one. LDL cholesterol or “bad cholesterol” is the type that can be deposited in your arteries leading to atherosclerosis (hardening and blockage of the arteries). The HDL cholesterol or “good cholesterol” on the other hand helps remove fat from the bloodstream. Low levels of HDL cholesterol can increase your risk of heart attack. There are scientific based risk calculators available on the internet to determine your risk for having a heart attack. Once your risk is known, you can then determine what a healthy target cholesterol goal should be for you.
Dr. Guarneri
There are two types of cholesterol and it is important to know your levels of each one. LDL cholesterol or “bad cholesterol” is the type that can be deposited in your arteries leading to atherosclerosis (hardening and blockage of the arteries). The HDL cholesterol or “good cholesterol” on the other hand helps remove fat from the bloodstream. Low levels of HDL cholesterol can increase your risk of heart attack. There are scientific based risk calculators available on the internet to determine your risk for having a heart attack. Once your risk is known, you can then determine what a healthy target cholesterol goal should be for you.
Dr. Guarneri
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CONDITIONS AND COMMUNITIES:
Congenital Heart Disease
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Coronary Heart Disease
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Healthy Eating
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Heart Attack
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Heart Failure
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High Blood Pressure
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High Cholesterol
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Other Heart Problems
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Diabetes Type 1
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Diabetes Type 2
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