Cracking the Cholesterol Code: What You Need to Know

by | Sep 30, 2024 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

CHOLESTEROL DATA POINTS: THE NUMBERS THAT MATTER!

Let’s kick things off with some eye-popping stats. Did you know?

  • WHO says adult obesity has doubled since 1990, and teens aren’t far behind with a four-fold increase. Currently, 12.5% of the world’s population is obese!1
  • Among adults 18+, 2.5 billion people are overweight—nearly 43% of this age group! Out of these, 890 million are considered obese.1
  • For kids (ages 5-19), 390 million are overweight, and 160 million are already classified as obese.1   
  • In the U.S., the CDC reports that 86 million people aged 20 and older have cholesterol levels over 200 mg/dL.2 Yikes!

WHAT EXACTLY IS CHOLESTEROL?

Cholesterol is a bit like that friend who’s always helpful but can get into trouble if they don’t have the right balance. It’s a necessary substance for your body, helping create things like bile acid (for digestion) and vitamin D (for immune, skeletal, and muscle health). The body gets cholesterol both from food and from your liver, which produces it on its own.

Cholesterol is divided into two main squads: 

  • HDL (High Density Lipoprotein): The “good guy.” It sweeps up extra cholesterol in your blood and sends it to your liver for disposal, keeping your arteries squeaky clean. 
  • LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein): The “troublemaker.” While it helps transport cholesterol to important body functions, it can also deposit cholesterol in your arteries, raising the risk for heart disease. Think of it as a messy roommate leaving stuff everywhere!

WANT TO KNOW WHERE YOUR CHOLESTEROL STANDS? CHECK OUT THESE LEVELS:3

1. Total Cholesterol

  • <200 mg/dL: All good! 
  • 200-239 mg/dL: Uh-oh, borderline high! 
  • >240 mg/dL: Danger zone! 

2. HDL Cholesterol (Good stuff): 

  • Males: >40 mg/dL 
  • Females: >50 mg/dL 

3. LDL Cholesterol (Not-so-good stuff):

  • <100 mg/dL: In the clear! 
  • 100-129 mg/dL: Almost normal. 
  • 130-159 mg/dL: Borderline high. 
  • 160-189 mg/dL: High! 
  • >190 mg/dL: We have a problem!

    WHY DOES CHOLESTEROL ACT OUT?

    Several culprits can cause your cholesterol to misbehave:

    1.    Health Conditions: 

    • Liver Disease: The liver isn’t doing its job, so cholesterol runs amok. 
    • Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): Less enzyme action means higher cholesterol.4
    • Hypothyroidism: Low thyroid hormones lead to high cholesterol levels.5
    • Diabetes: Poor blood sugar control equals elevated LDL. Plus, diabetes and obesity are best buds, and both contribute to high cholesterol.6

    2.    It’s All in the Family:

    • Genetics: Some people inherit conditions like Familial Hypercholesterolemia, which makes it hard to clear LDL from the bloodstream. 
    • Inherited Bad Habits: Loving fatty foods and being prone to obesity can run in the family. 
    • Diabetes and Obesity: Sometimes, it’s all in the genes! 

    3.    Lifestyle Choices (a.k.a. Things You Can Control): 

    • A love for foods rich in saturated fats, trans fats, and, let’s be honest, too much alcohol. 
    • Couch Potato Syndrome: Minimal exercise can contribute to rising cholesterol levels. 
    • Smoking: We all know this one’s bad news.

    THE SNEAKY NATURE OF CHOLESTEROL

    The sneaky thing about high cholesterol? It often shows no symptoms. That’s right—no warning signals, no flashing lights. You might not even know your cholesterol is high until a doctor checks your lipid panel during a routine exam. Consider it the ninja of health issues.

    TIME TO TAKE ACTION: TREATMENT OPTIONS

    Before diving into the world of meds, doctors usually recommend some good old-fashioned lifestyle changes:

    • Food, Glorious Food! Swap out those fatty foods and alcohol for more veggies. But beware: don’t replace fats with sugar, or you’ll risk diabetes. 
    • Move it, Move it! Aim for 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of intense cardio spread out over the week.7
    • Butt Out! Kicking the smoking habit can make a huge difference.

    MEDICATION OPTIONS (IF LIFESTYLE CHANGES AREN’T ENOUGH): 8

    • Statins: The go-to drug. These block cholesterol production. 
    • PCSK9 Inhibitors: These help remove excess LDL from your bloodstream. 
    • Bile Acid Sequestrants: They keep bile acids busy in the intestines, forcing the liver to use more cholesterol. 
    • Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors: They stop cholesterol from being absorbed in the gut. 
    • Fibrates: These boost HDL (the good guy) and reduce triglycerides. 
    • Niacin (Vitamin B3): A last-ditch option due to its side effects. Plus, it needs close monitoring because it can mess with your liver!

    DISCLAIMER

    This packet is for entertainment and education only and should not replace medical advice. For personalized cholesterol advice, always consult a healthcare professional.

    References

    1. World Health Organization: WHO. (2024, March 1). Obesity and overweight. World Health Organization: WHO. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight
    2. CDC. (2024, May 20). High cholesterol facts. Cholesterol. https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/data-research/facts-stats/index.html
    3. Lipid panel. (2020, December 4). Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/lipid-panel
    4. Rosenstein, K., & Tannock, L. R. (2022). Dyslipidemia in chronic kidney disease. Endotext. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK305899/
    5. Mavromati, M., & Jornayvaz, F. R. (2021). Hypothyroidism-Associated dyslipidemia: Potential molecular mechanisms leading to NAFLD. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(23), 12797. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222312797
    6. Feingold, K. R. (2023). Dyslipidemia in patients with diabetes. Endotext. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK305900/
    7. 2019 ACC/AHA guideline on the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. (n.d.). American College of Cardiology. Retrieved September 16, 2024, from https://www.acc.org/Latest-in-Cardiology/ten-points-to-remember/2019/03/07/16/00/2019-ACC-AHA-Guideline-on-Primary-Prevention-gl-prevention
    8. UpToDate. (n.d.). Retrieved September 12, 2024, from https://www.uptodate.com/contents/high-cholesterol-and-lipid-treatment-options-beyond-the-basics

    ###

    ABOUT CERPASSRX

    CerpassRx, a leading full-service PBM, is renowned for its tailored solutions addressing diverse client needs. Its distinctive approach encompasses prescription optimization programs, flexible formulary designs, personalized member services, and efficient mail delivery and specialty pharmacy programs. Integrating top-tier pharmacy tools and expertise with premier PBM services, CerpassRx exemplifies excellence. Central to its core values are collaboration, accountability, passion, and empowerment. By prioritizing these principles, CerpassRx empowers clients, fostering an alliance built on trust and mutual success. The company’s mission is clear: to redefine standards and push boundaries, ultimately driving positive change and heightened efficiency in pharmacy benefit management.