Silent killer
Atherosclerosis can lead to unexpected death
Atherosclerosis can lead to unexpected death

By Chris Jones Comments 0
Published: September 9, 2008

It's always a shock when we hear of someone in our neighborhood, our workplace or a nationally known figure who has suddenly died in the prime of life. We wonder what happened, often thinking that they looked so healthy.

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Understanding cholesterol

Cholesterol, also called lipid, is a fatty substance in the blood that is naturally produced by the body. Whether it comes from the foods you eat or from your body, healthy amounts of cholesterol in your blood are OK. The problem: When there is too much cholesterol in your blood, it can build up on the walls of your arteries and form plaque.

Over time, plaque can clog and narrow your arteries, which may slow blood flow and reduce the supply of oxygen to vital organs.

LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides are the three components important to managing your lipid profile.

•LDL is called "bad” cholesterol because it plays a role in the development of plaque in your arteries.

•HDL is considered "good” cholesterol because it helps return cholesterol to the liver, where it can be removed from the body.

•Triglycerides are another type of fat in your blood. As with LDL, it's important to keep triglycerides low.

You can't feel it or see it, and the only way you will know for sure if you have high cholesterol is to have a cholesterol screening test.

Cholesterol is just one risk factor that can contribute to the progression of atherosclerosis.

Source: www.athero.com.

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Healthy Living
09/09/2008 0

The unexpected death of someone close, or even in the news, is a wake-up call to anyone questioning their own health. Atherosclerosis, often known as hardening of the arteries, is the progressive build up of plaque, fatty deposits and other cells in the walls of the arteries. Doctors often call it the silent killer.

It's the leading cause of death in the United States, and unfortunately, Oklahomans need to pay extra attention, because the Sooner State leads the nation in deaths caused by coronary heart disease.

Atherosclerosis can block the flow of blood through the arteries and prevent vital nutrients and oxygen from getting to essential organs like the heart and brain, leading to heart attack and stroke.

Dr. Terrill Hulson, an Edmond family physician, said baby boomers need to be especially aware, because there are often no warnings, and the first sign of blockage can be death.

Hulson said atherosclerosis is a huge public health issue. People who smoke, are obese or are diabetic may realize they are at risk, but others may falsely believe they are in good shape and remain unaware the silent disease is damaging their body.

"The old adage about an ounce of prevention particularly applies to atherosclerosis,” Hulson said. "It's hitting the baby boomers now; strokes and heart attacks. Plaque builds up in people, a slow progressive change, and they have no symptoms until they try to walk up a flight of stairs and their legs began cramping, and their chest feels heavy. Maybe they are mowing the lawn and their chest feels heavy. This gets their attention and sends them to the doctor.”

Then the evaluations start, specific tests beginning with cholesterol tests, blood pressure checks, electrocardiograms, treadmill test, coronary artery CT scan and dye tests.

"We have different vascular beds in the body; brain, heart; kidneys and legs,” Hulson said, "These are the big four. Once there is a diagnosis in any one of these areas, chances are atherosclerosis is present in all arteries. The recommendation everyone gets is change your lifestyle.”

We have heard it over and over again: stop smoking, eat healthy, exercise and have your cholesterol checked.

Doesn't everyone know his cholesterol number? Many people do not, and they need to know.

Those who do know, and have their cholesterol checked regularly, and are taking prescription medicine to control their cholesterol may think that's good insurance.

If weight isn't an issue and you take cholesterol medicine, why not eat what you like. Hulson said that's not the way it works, and he has some advice.

"It's hard to counter a highly marbled 16-ounce rib eye steak with one 10 mg. cholesterol pill,” Hulson said.