1. Cholesterol Counts What you should know about your cholesterol

2. Today We’ll Talk about… What cholesterol is Why worry about it Cholesterol tests Terminology Improving your numbers

3. A waxy, fat-like substance Found in all cell surfaces in our bodies Transported through our blood http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=512

4. What Does Cholesterol Do? Insulates nerves Makes hormones that send signals between cells Helps with the digestion of fats

5. Where Do We Get Cholesterol? Our bodies make all the cholesterol we need. We also get cholesterol from foods we eat.

6. Blood Cholesterol Levels Increase By Eating These Products Animal products – Meat Beef poultry, fish, etc. – Dairy milk, eggs, cheese, yogurt, etc.

7. Vegetable products contain: – Saturated and – Trans Fat Foods Vegetable shortening or hydrogenated fat Vegetable margarines Snack foods – Cookies – Crackers Frozen or other prepared foods Blood Cholesterol Levels Increase By Eating These Products

8. Why Worry about Cholesterol? Blood cholesterol can stick to the sides of arteries. Blockages can form. It can lead to serious medical problems: – Heart attack and – Stroke. http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/1999/199_chol.html

9. Do I Have High Cholesterol? A blood test can tell you your blood cholesterol levels.

10. Who Should Be Tested? Anyone over the age of 20 – At least every five years – More often as determined by your doctor

11. Words to Know HDL – Good Cholesterol Carries cholesterol away from your arteries LDL – Bad Cholesterol Builds up in arteries Triglycerides – Fats Builds up in arteries http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=180

12. What Does my Total Cholesterol Mean? Normal Less than 200 mg/dL Borderline HighHigh 240 mg/dL or higher 200-239 mg/dL http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=183

13. HDL Cholesterol 60+ mg/dL for both males and females Optimal: Women: less than 50 mg/dL Men: less than 40 mg/dL At Risk for Heart Disease:

14. LDL Cholesterol Optimal Less than 100 mg/dL Near or above Optimal 100-129 mg/dL Borderline High 130-159 mg/dL High 160-189 mg/dL Very High 190+ mg/dL

15. Triglycerides Normal Less than 150 mg/dL Borderline High 150-199 mg/dL High 200-499 mg/dL Very High 500+ mg/dL

16. Improving Your Levels Exercise Improved diet Maintain a healthy weight Quit smoking Possibly cholesterol drugs http://mayoclinic.com/health/high-blood-cholesterol/DS00178/DSECTION=9

17. Diet Reduce your intake of fats and cholesterols. Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables. Add more fiber. Eat low-fat or fat-free dairy products. Avoid eating too many calories.

18. Exercise 30 minutes a day 4+ times a week

19. Cholesterol Drugs Talk to your doctor, and follow his/her advice.

20. Questions? Educational programs of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating