[Press Release] : Columbia/Boone County Health Department urges residents to get cholesterol checked

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Chris Coffman, Public Health Nursing Supervisor - (573)
874-7453

Columbia/Boone County Health Department urges residents to get
cholesterol checked

COLUMBIA, MO (September 4, 2008) - Less cholesterol in your blood means
you’re more likely to live a long and healthy life. High cholesterol
can lead to heart disease - the number one killer in Missouri, according
to the Columbia/Boone County Health Department. 

September is National Cholesterol Education Month, a good time for
Boone County residents to have their cholesterol levels checked and
adopt lifestyle changes that can help prevent or reduce high
cholesterol, a serious health issue with no symptoms.

High cholesterol is on the rise in Missouri, according to the Missouri
Department of Health and Senior Services. Between 1995 and 2005, the
number of adults over 18 who had their cholesterol checked and showed
elevated cholesterol levels increased by one-third, from 28.8 percent to
38.7 percent. Last year, that rate increased slightly again to 39.5
percent.

Adults over 20 years of age should have a blood test at least every
five years to monitor their cholesterol levels. The Columbia/Boone
County Health Department recommends a lipoprotein profile test, which
provides several important numbers, including:

● Total cholesterol
● LDL cholesterol (commonly known as bad cholesterol) - creates the
main source of buildup and blockage in the arteries
● HDL cholesterol (commonly known as good cholesterol) - helps keep
cholesterol from building up in arteries
● Triglycerides - another form of fat in the blood

The lipoprotein profile test must be done after a nine to 12 hour fast.
If that is not possible, a simpler test can be done that determines
total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol.

A total cholesterol level of less than 200 is desirable. A level of 200
to 239 is borderline high, while a level of 240 and above is considered
high. 

An LDL cholesterol level of less than 100 is considered optimal. A
reading of 160 to 189 is high, and a level of 190 or above is very
high.

An HDL cholesterol level should be 60 or higher. A reading below 40 is
too low for optimum health.

If your LDL cholesterol level is high, you can make some changes to
decrease it. To reduce cholesterol levels:

● Know your cholesterol numbers
● Take your medicine regularly
● Get regular physical exercise
● Maintain a healthy weight

People with high cholesterol should also visit their doctor regularly
so their cholesterol level can be closely monitored.

For more information on healthy living, including a cholesterol fact
sheet, please visit the Health Department at www.GoColumbiaMo.com 

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