Cholesterol Articles A-Z
At this point, researchers haven't identified any HDL raising foods. This segment of the eMedTV library provides detailed information about foods such as fatty fish, walnuts, and garlic that may improve heart health even if they don't increase HDL.
The HDL/LDL ratio is the proportion of "good cholesterol" (HDL) to "bad cholesterol" (LDL). This eMedTV article explains how this ratio is figured and also discusses why absolute cholesterol numbers may be more important than any cholesterol ratio.
Health effects of cholesterol problems include angina, stroke, and heart attack. This segment of the eMedTV Web site provides detailed information on these and other serious health problems associated with high cholesterol.
This eMedTV resource defines healthy cholesterol levels and offers easy-to-understand tables. When determining healthy levels, it's important to consider LDL and HDL levels; total cholesterol levels can be misleading.
The causes of high cholesterol are unknown; however, as this eMedTV page explains, we do know that the condition can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease and stroke. High cholesteral is a common misspelling of high cholesterol.
This eMedTV page discusses how a high cholesterol diet can raise blood cholesterol and outlines the criteria for a low cholesterol diet (including limited salt and fat intake). High cholesteral diet is a common misspelling of high cholesterol diet.
Effects of high cholesterol due to atherosclerosis include angina, heart attack, and stroke. This eMedTV Web page highlights these and other health risks associated with this condition and also explains treatment options.
| High Cholesterol and Blocked Blood Vessels |
High cholesterol levels in the blood cause problems over many years. Excess cholesterol can build up on your artery walls, along with other fats and debris. This buildup can narrow or even block the blood vessels.
| High Cholesterol and Your LDL and HDL Numbers |
Your doctor will look at three numbers when he or she checks your cholesterol levels: your total cholesterol, your HDL and LDL. Your HDL is good cholesterol, your LDL is bad cholesterol.
This section of the eMedTV library provides tips for moving from a high cholesterol diet to a healthier eating plan. Keys to changing a high cholesterol diet include limiting your saturated fat intake and increasing consumption of plant-based foods.
High cholesterol foods include animal products, such as organ meat, eggs, cheese, and whole milk. This eMedTV page provides other examples of high cholesterol foods and plant-based foods containing saturated fat and trans fat (like palm kernel oil).
| High Cholesterol Presentation Summary |
This video gives a summary of high cholesterol and stresses the importance of making cholesterol control a life-long commitment.
Lowering your high cholesterol risk involves lowering your low density lipoprotein (LDL) level. This eMedTV article explains how high cholesterol risk goals may vary for people based on factors such as family history and nicotine use.
There may be no apparent high cholesterol symptoms, but the effects of the condition can be serious. This eMedTV segment explains how high cholesterol can lead to problems like stroke and heart disease while causing no high cholesterol symptoms.
Your body needs cholesterol to function properly. However, as this eMedTV article explains, high cholesterol levels can put you at risk of health problems (such as heart disease). High colesteral is a common misspelling of high cholesterol.
High cholesterol is a condition that can lead to health problems such as coronary heart disease and stroke. This eMedTV resource offers a brief look at the condition and its risk factors. High colesterol is a common misspelling of high cholesterol.
This eMedTV Web page explains that as part of moving away from a high cholesterol diet, you should eat at least three to five servings of fruits and vegetables a day. High colesterol diet is a common misspelling of high cholesterol diet.
Some high cholesterol foods include butter, cheese, and duck. This eMedTV Web page also lists foods that aren't high in cholesterol but are still bad for cholesterol levels. High colesterol foods is a common misspelling of high cholesterol foods.
According to the latest guidelines, HDL levels of 60 mg/dL and above are considered high. This page of the eMedTV library highlights the benefits of having high HDL cholesterol levels and offers an explanation of possible causes.
There are no high triglyceride symptoms, as this eMedTV article explains. However, the effects of high triglycerides over long periods of time can be life-threatening. For example, they can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.
As this eMedTV article explains, high levels of triglycerides (the compounds that store fat and create energy within the body) can lead to health problems such as heart disease and heart attack. This page offers an overview of high triglycerides.
A home cholesterol test can be about as accurate as the test your doctor uses, but you must follow the directions carefully. This eMedTV resource explains how to perform a home cholesterol test, as well as the benefits and its limitations.
How Do You Get High Cholesterol?
Many people have asked, "How do you get high cholesterol?" This portion of the eMedTV archives provides detailed information about how certain risk factors (such as diet, weight, and age) increase the likelihood that you will get high cholesterol.
| How Does High Cholesterol Affect My Life? |
This video clip answers the question: "How Does High Cholesterol Affect My Life?"
| How Is High Cholesterol Diagnosed? |
How Is High Cholesterol Diagnosed?
| How Is High Cholesterol Treated? |
How is high cholesterol treated? This multimedia clip gives an overview of treatment options for high cholesterol.
The first step in lowering cholesterol is making lifestyle changes. This eMedTV article lists some of these lifestyle changes, as well as drugs that may be tried. How to lower colesterol is a common variation and misspelling of lowering cholesterol.
This eMedTV Web page explains how to lower triglycerides by making lifestyle changes (such as losing weight), getting treatment for conditions that may elevate triglycerides (such as diabetes), and taking certain medications (such as fibrates).
Your ideal cholesterol reading will vary based on the number of risk factors you have for heart disease. This eMedTV Web page outlines the guidelines used to determine desirable cholesterol readings through easy-to-read tables.
Efforts to increase HDL usually involve losing weight, exercising more, and quitting smoking. This page of the eMedTV Web site also discusses ways to achieve this through additional lifestyle changes and/or medication.
Information on High Cholesterol
| Introduction to High Cholesterol |
This multimedia clip offers an introduction to high cholesterol.
There are many policosanol safety precautions and warnings to be aware of before taking the supplement. This eMedTV page examines these safety concerns, including who should not use policosanol and what your doctor should know beforehand.
LDL, also known as "bad cholesterol," is a substance used to transport cholesterol throughout the body. This eMedTV Web page explains how too much LDL in the blood can build up on artery walls and lead to health problems, like a heart attack.
This eMedTV segment explores LDL cholesterol (or "bad cholesterol"). As this article explains, those with higher LDL levels are at greater risk for heart disease. LDL bad cholesteral is a common misspelling and variation of LDL cholesterol.
As explained in this eMedTV article, LDL cholesterol (also known as "bad cholesterol") is another name for low density lipoprotein, a substance used to transport cholesterol in the body. Too much of it can increase the risk for heart disease.
This portion of the eMedTV library talks about Lescol, a prescription medication that is licensed to treat high cholesterol and high triglycerides. This article offers an in-depth look at Lescol and its uses, possible side effects, and dosages.
This eMedTV page offers a list of Lescol alternatives, which may include other cholesterol medicines or statins. Besides statins, other classes of cholesterol drugs include fibrates, bile acid sequestrants, and cholesterol absorption inhibitors.
There is a slight correlation between Lescol and depression. As this eMedTV article explains, depression is a Lescol side effect that occurs in less than one percent of patients. This page takes a look at some of the common symptoms of depression.
This portion of the eMedTV library takes a look at Lescol and joint pain, including information on at-home remedies (such as hot or cold therapy) that can help minimize joint pain. Joint pain can occur in up to 2 percent of patients taking Lescol.
Up to 5 percent of people taking Lescol experience an increase in liver enzymes. This eMedTV resource offers detailed information on Lescol and liver problems, such as hepatitis, jaundice, cirrhosis, and hepatoma.
Memory loss is a problem noted in less than 1 percent of patients who take Lescol. This eMedTV page covers the possible link between Lescol and memory loss. This page also discusses the research that has been done on statins and brain conditions.
In clinical studies, muscle pain was reported as a Lescol side effect in up to 5 percent of patients. This eMedTV page offers an overview of Lescol and muscle pain, including information on serious symptoms (such as muscle weakness) to be aware of.
As this eMedTV segment explains, Lescol may cause harm to an unborn child, so it is not recommended for pregnant women to take it. This page talks about Lescol and pregnancy, and also explains Lescol's classification as a pregnancy Category X drug.
As this eMedTV segment explains, weight gain is not a recognized side effect of Lescol, although it has been reported as a side effect of other cholesterol medications. This article provides an overview of Lescol and weight gain.
For people treating high cholesterol with Lescol, dosage suggestions start at 40 mg or 80 mg daily. This eMedTV segment contains general Lescol dosing guidelines and offers tips and warnings on taking the medication.
Lescol drug interactions may increase your risk for developing serious side effects or muscle problems. This eMedTV resource provides a list of drugs that may potentially interact with Lescol, such as digoxin, niacin, and warfarin.