Cholesterol Awareness Month: Americans urged to seek early intervention
September 1, 2008
September is Cholesterol Awareness Month. The National Lipid Association (NLA) notes that recent controversies over perceived failures in drug trials, Tim Russert's sudden death, and the issue of early recognition and treatment of dyslipidemia in children have all led to increased attention on cholesterol and lipid management.
The NLA views these developments as reinforcing the importance of taking a lifelong approach to the prevention of cardiovascular disease, and the Association urges patients to get an early start on managing their cholesterol. For instance, in the case of recent drug trials, while expected outcomes haven't always emerged, we are seeing that lipid-lowering medications work and they extend lives and improve the quality of life for patients with severe hypercholesterolemia. The tragic loss of Tim Russert showed that aggressive therapies begun after the progression of cardiovascular disease are sometimes "too little too late." In the case of new guidelines for children at risk, we see the critical importance of starting the fight against heart disease early in life with proper screening, diet and exercise.
The relationship between cholesterol and heart disease has never been more clear, and patients need to be familiar with the established guidelines for lipid levels. Current studies show that among patients at higher risk, fewer than one in five are within guidelines. The NLA strongly recommends patients to stay with their treatment plan and to those who have lapsed, the Association urges them to continue therapy and attain their goal.
Depending on your age and current health outlook, there are only a few numbers you need to know—your total cholesterol, "bad" and "good" cholesterol, and triglycerides. Websites such as www.learnyourlipids.com have more information, and your health care professional may have additional advice. You can't change your age or family history, but if you smoke, you can stop. If you have high cholesterol and blood pressure, these can be managed. As for losing weight, even modest reductions and small increases in the amount of physical activity can pay big health dividends.
"People need to know where they stand with respect to reaching their cholesterol and triglyceride targets," says Dr Thomas Bersot, president of the NLA. "They need to know their numbers and reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease."
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