Cholesterol and Heart Health

Heart health

Video: Heart health

How do you keep your heart healthy? Dr Joe Kosterich talks about key points in heart health, including what foods to eat, diabetes, your BMI, exercise, smoking and stress.

Watch the video Heart Health.

Cardiovascular health fact sheet

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a term used to describe all diseases of the heart and blood vessels. Coronary heart disease (which includes heart attacks and angina) and stroke are common forms of CVD. A healthy lifestyle plays an important role in the prevention and management of CVD.

For more information, see the fact sheet on cardiovascular health.

The cardiovascular system

The cardiovascular system can be thought of as the transport system of the body. This system has three main components: the heart, the blood vessel and the blood itself. The heart is the system's pump and the blood vessels are like the delivery routes. Blood is a fluid that transports the oxygen and nutrients needed by the body.

For more information, see Cardiovascular System.

Animation: How the heart works

The heart pumps approximately 10 pints of blood every minute, and each heartbeat circulates blood to both the lungs and the body. This is possible because of the heart's complex internal structure.

Watch an animation about how the heart works.

Video: Cardiovascular disease prevention

Cardiovascular disease often refers to angina, heart attack and stroke. Clinical Associate Professor David Sullivan explains the significance of family history and cholesterol in cardiovascular disease, the importance of promoting awareness about the inherited risk of CVD, and the concept of familial cascade screening.

Watch the video Cardiovascular Disease Prevention.

Metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is diagnosed when a number of metabolic abnormalities (including insulin resistance and obesity) occur at the same time in an individual. Individuals who have the syndrome are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus than those who do not.

For more information, see Metabolic Syndrome.

Video: Diet and metabolic syndrome

1 in 3 Australians over the age of 25 have metabolic syndrome. Clinical dietitian Dr Catherine Itsiopoulos discusses ways to identify if you have metabolic syndrome, ways to prevent it, and tips on healthy eating.

Watch the video Diet and Metabolic Syndrome.

Cholesterol

Hypercholesterolaemia

Cholesterol is a substance naturally found in the walls of cells. It is used by the body to produce certain hormones, vitamin D, and bile acids that help to digest fat. If the amounts of cholesterol in the blood are excessive, cholesterol can build up in arteries, which can lead to coronary heart disease and many other serious conditions.

For more information, see Hypercholesterolaemia.

Cholesterol testing

There are two major types of cholesterol found in the blood: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, sometimes referred to as 'bad' cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, or 'good' cholesterol. A cholesterol test is a simple blood test that measures the levels of these two cholesterol types and triglycerides in the blood.

For more information, see Cholesterol Testing.

Tool: LDL cholesterol levels calculator

LDL Cholesterol Levels Calculator

This risk assessment tool is based on data from the National Cholesterol Education Program and the findings of the Adult Treatment Panel III to classify your LDL, HDL, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Results

We have identified that you have one or more risk factor/s for developing cardiovascular disease. It may be advisable to talk with your General Practitioner to further assess your risk and optimal cholesterol levels to aim for.

LDL Cholesterol

your LDL level falls within the optimal range. No specific intervention is required, just maintain a healthy lifestyle.

your LDL levels are slightly above optimal. You should discuss appropriate lifestyle changes with your General Practitioner.

your LDL level is higher than what is considered optimal. You should consult your General Practitioner to discuss methods of lowering this level. This may include lifestyle changes and/or medication.

please enter your LDL Cholesterol level.

HDL Cholesterol

your HDL level falls within the optimal range. No specific intervention is required, just maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Your HDL cholesterol is in the normal range.

your HDL level is lower than what is considered optimal. You should consult your General Practitioner to discuss methods of raising this level. This may include lifestyle changes and/or medication.

please enter your HDL cholesterol level.

Total Cholesterol

your total cholesterol level is appropriate for your age and gender. However more important than the total level is the individual components, LDL and HDL. Optimally, your LDL should be low and your HDL high, check above to see that your level for these is optimal.

your total cholesterol level is higher than what is considered optimal. You may like to discuss this with your General Practitioner and also assess the level of the individual components, LDL and HDL.

please enter your total cholesterol level.

Triglycerides

your level of triglycerides falls within the optimal range. No specific intervention is required, just maintain a healthy lifestyle.

your triglyceride level is higher than what is considered optimal. You may like to discuss these results with your General Practitioner.

please enter your triglyceride level.

Reference
National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III). Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III) final report. Circulation 2002; 106: 31433421.

This information will be collected for educational purposes, however it will remain anonymous.

LDL cholesterol lowering

LDL cholesterol is called 'bad' because it is a major contributor to the development of atherosclerosis – the sticky plaques that can form inside blood vessels and contribute to problems like stroke. Lowering LDL cholesterol levels in the blood can have a number of positive effects for your health.

For more information, see LDL Cholesterol Lowering.

Eating for heart health

Nutrition for lowering cholesterol levels

Dietary changes are often the first things attempted to try to lower cholesterol levels. Losing weight, exercising and cutting down on "bad" fats are the cornerstones of a cholesterol-lowering lifestyle. The excess calories that you consume, regardless of where they come from (carbohydrates, fats or protein), will be transformed into triglycerides for storage as body fat.

For more information, see Nutrition for Lowering Cholesterol Levels.

Mediterranean diet

The Mediterranean diet is a diet based on plant foods. It is high in N-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and phytochemicals, and low in cholesterol, salt and sugar. The Mediterranean diet has received a lot of attention in recent years because scientists have shown that following it is associated with a number of health benefits.

For more information, see Mediterranean Diet.

Recipe: Char-grilled vegetarian pizza

Scatter freshly char-grilled vegetables on top of wholemeal pita bread and add low fat cheese to make a tasty, healthy pizza.

See how to make a char-grilled vegetarian pizza.

Recipe: Grilled chicken and pear salad

Toss together grilled chicken, rocket, pear and tomatoes for a quick tasty salad.

See how to make a grilled chicken and pear salad.

Recipe: Tomato and basil farfalle with baked ricotta

Combine fresh vegetables, tomato and low fat ricotta for a quick healthy pasta.

See how to make a tomato and basil farfalle with baked ricotta.

Recipe: Chicken and garden vegetable risotto

Combine grilled chicken, risotto and fresh vegetables for an easy-to-make healthy meal.

See how to make a chicken and garden vegetable risotto.

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Mini Sites Dates:

Created: 21/8/2009

Modified: 31/8/2009

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Please be aware that we do not give advice on your individual medical condition,
if you want advice please see your treating physician.

Information on this site must be discussed with your treating doctor.

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PREDICTORS	RESPONSE
Age		years
Gender	Male	Female

Do you have any of the following?	Yes	No
Coronary heart disease
Carotid artery disease (symptomatic)
Peripheral arterial disease
Abdominal aortic aneurysm
Diabetes
Do you have a family history of premature coronary heart disease (males <55yrs; female <65yrs) in a first degree relative?
Are you a smoker?*
Is your blood pressure > 140/90 or are you prescribed medication to lower your blood pressure?**
What is your LDL cholesterol***		mg/dl
HDL cholesterol***		mg/dl
Total cholesterol***		mg/dl
Triglycerides***		mg/dl
*For these purposes "smoker" means any cigarette smoking in the past month
**Use current blood pressure, regardless of whether the person is on antihypertensive therapy.
***Cholesterol and triglyceride values should be the average of at least two measurements obtained from lipoprotein analysis

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