Cholesterol Myths
F A C T S A N D T I P S F O R B E T T E R H E A LT H
Though all medications have side
effects, statins are exceptionally safe.
Your physician prescribes medication
for you when the benefits outweigh the
risks. There is a large benefit to prevent-
ing cardiovascular events in patients for
whom treatment is appropriate.
Fact: Your risk of cardiovascular
disease goes up as you age.
Myth: All cholesterol is bad.
Cholesterol is responsible for keep-
ing the blood moving smoothly. Just
as your car needs oil, your heart and
blood vessels need cholesterol. Prob-
lems arise when the components of
your cholesterol are not present in the
right quantity and quality.
Typically, we think of: High density lipo-
protein, or HDL, as “good” cholesterol.
A higher number is better.
Low density lipoprotein, or LDL, as
“bad” cholesterol. A lower number
is better.
But it may not be so simple. Research-
ers are working to better define what
makes cholesterol good or bad for you,
based on more in-depth characteristics.
A person’s cholesterol is the result
of a combination of genetic factors
(which are non-modifiable) and dietary
factors (which are modifiable). Dietary
recommendations depend on the type
of cholesterol. For high triglycerides,
for example, the recommendation is
low carbs (brown carbs, such as whole
wheat products are better) and minimal
refined sugars; for people with high
LDL, the recommendation is to reduce
foods high in saturated fats.
Myth: “My cholesterol is high
because of genetics. There is
nothing I can do about it.”
You can always minimize the effects of
your genetics through diet and exer-
cise. But for some people, no matter
how meticulous they are with their diet
and no matter how much time they
spend in the gym, their cholesterol lev-
els are going to be problematic. That is
where medication comes in.
Myth: Men are more affected
by high cholesterol than women.
Both are affected by high cholesterol.
In younger women, estrogen provides
significant cardiovascular protection.
As estrogen levels drop after meno-
pause, however, women’s risk goes
up significantly and eventually equals
that of men. Women may not have the
stereotypical symptoms of cardiovas-
cular disease—significant disease can
develop before they have symptoms
that cause concern. However, health
care providers are becoming better
educated about the symptoms more
typically experienced by women.
Biggest myth?
It has to do with medication. Many pa-
tients are nervous about taking statins.
The earlier you start focusing on your
health and getting appropriate care,
the more you are helping yourself for
the future. It’s never too early to start.
The decisions that you make in your
30s, 40s, and 50s will have an impact
on how healthy you are in your 60s,
70s, and beyond. Treatment, whether
lifestyle (diet and exercise) or medical,
is an investment in your future health.
Fact: A healthy lifestyle is not enough
to ensure that your cholesterol levels
are okay.
Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) does
not produce symptoms until it has had
significant health effects. A healthy life-
style is not enough to ensure that your
cholesterol levels are okay. The only
way to know for sure is to have a blood
test. It’s better to know if you have high
cholesterol before it causes significant
damage. Once you have narrowing of
the arteries, it is not possible to totally
reverse plaque buildup.
Last word: Nobody on this planet is
too healthy to need a doctor.
Everyone should have a physician.
Even if you are in tip-top shape,
it’s a good idea to go in for routine
check-ups.
Based on a conversation with Christopher
Di Giorgio, MD, a board-certified
cardiologist with Bart De Gregorio, LLC,
in Glen Ridge, and a member of the
Englewood Health Physician Network.
To find a physician, call 833-234-2234
or visit englewoodhealthphysicians.org.