Cholesterol + Original Articles

If you're used to the dramatic representations of heart attacks on TV, you may be surprised to learn about real-life scenarios. How many times have you seen this act on TV? The character on the screen gets a glazed look in his eyes, stumbles, and clutches his chest as he slowly (and dramatically) falls to the ground. This is the classic Hollywood depiction of a heart attack. And while this scenario might accurately describe some heart attacks, it's not representative.

Suffering from anxiety? Stomach issues? A cold that won’t quit? There’s an herb for you. Herbs and spices are as at-home in your medicine chest as they are in your pantry.  That's because they possess powerful healing properties that have been used as medicinals for thousands of years.  Check out these 10 common herbs you may already have growing in your yard or sitting in your spice rack.

You’ve probably heard the terms “good cholesterol” and “bad cholesterol” bandied about, but what are the key differences between the two? This go-to guide clears the confusion. You've probably heard the terms "good cholesterol" and "bad cholesterol" bandied about and may not understand their significance. Cholesterol is one of the risk factors for heart disease, so it pays to know what it is and how you can control it. Cholesterol Cholesterol is a naturally occurring waxy substance that attaches to proteins in our blood and travels throughout our body.

Get the experts' take on this much debated matter of the heart. Should you or shouldn't you? That's the big question when it comes to cholesterol screening for children and adolescents, and the answer seems far from clear. In 2007, the United States Preventive Task Force (USPTF), an independent panel of experts, established screening guidelines for lipid abnormalities in children.

White fruits and vegetables contain as many essential nutrients and other health-promoting substances as do red, yellow, and green foods. And some of these substances may be especially important for aging adults. Don't be fooled by their lack of color—white fruits and vegetables contain as many essential nutrients and other health-promoting substances as do red, yellow, and green foods.  And some of these substances may be especially important for aging adults.

Physicians and fitness experts are teaming up to help patients exercise their way to wellness. One of the top fitness trends of 2011 is teaming physicians with fitness experts to bring the power of exercise to health care. That's because exercise is often the best medicine. Studies say that physical inactivity costs the U.S. health care system about $102 billion dollars per year.

An alarming number of older patients fail to continue taking their regular medications after they return home, particularly if they spent time in intensive care. While hospitals can be lifesavers, especially for the elderly, an alarming number of older patients fail to continue taking their regular medications after they return home—particularly if they spent time in intensive care. Why? Mainly because they neglect to renew their prescriptions.

Over the last few years, some hair salons and barbers have been dispensing more than just trims. They've been giving out health advice, too. In some communities, particularly where many African-Americans live, the local salon or barber shop is a cultural institution. Men and women alike visit these social hubs on a regular basis not only to get their hair done but to connect with friends and neighbors in a familiar, comforting environment where they can talk, share, vent, and just be themselves.

This once-a-day single pill combines aspirin, blood pressure, and cholesterol drugs to reduce heart disease risk and treat the problem once it develops. If you haven't heard about the polypill yet, chances are you will soon. Research is showing that a once-a-day single pill that combines aspirin, blood pressure, and cholesterol drugs to reduce heart disease risk and treat the problem once it develops may be safe and effective.

Omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids confer a variety of health benefits when consumed on a regular basis and in the right amounts. Three-six-nine, the goose drank wine... or was it fish oil? If it was fish oil, or certain vegetable oils, that would be one healthy goose because the omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids found in these oils confer a variety of medical benefits when they are consumed on a regular basis and in the right amounts.

What "real world" preventative steps should you incorporate into your life to lower your chances of heart disease? Earlier this year, the American Heart Association (AHA) updated its cardiovascular prevention guidelines for women, which take into account what works best for women in the "real world" settings as opposed to findings from clinical trial research. First...

Nearly two thousand people were evaluated against seven heart-healthy criteria set by the American Heart Association. The results may surprise you. Just one out of 1,900 people evaluated in a study published in Circulation, met the criteria for ideal cardiovascular health set by the American Heart Association (AHA). The study, initiated by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in Pennsylvania, evaluated 1,933 people, ages 45 to 75, through surveys, physical exams, and blood tests.

What's the story behind the crunchy snack that's good for your heart? Nuts about nuts? Good for you! They make everything from brownies to cookies taste better, they're delicious in stir-fries, and they add texture and crunch to salads. Best of all, nuts are good for your cardiovascular health, so feel free to work them into your daily meal plan.

High triglyceride levels can increase heart disease risk. Here's what you should know. Even though your latest physical may have shown that your cholesterol levels are normal, you may still be at risk for heart disease if your triglycerides level is high. A 20-year study conducted by the University of Washington School of Public Health...

It probably doesn't matter what type of creamer you use, or what's on the ingredient list if you drink a cup of coffee a day. But if you drink several cups a day, and add more than the standard serving size of creamer per cup, you may be getting more fat and sugar than you bargained for. If you only drink one cup of coffee a day, it probably doesn't matter what type of creamer you use, or what's on the ingredient list. But if you drink several cups a day, and add more than the standard serving size of creamer per cup, you may be getting more fat and sugar than you bargained for.

To determine if you are at risk for developing cardiovascular disease, your doctor may suggest that you be given a cardiac risk assessment. Among the tests used to assess your cardiac risk is a lipoprotein (a), or Lp(a), blood test. Have a family history of heart disease? To determine if you are at risk for developing cardiovascular disease, your doctor may suggest that you be given a cardiac risk assessment. Cardiac risk assessments include a series of tests, as well as a review of your personal medical history, to help assess the likelihood that you may have a future cardiovascular event such as a heart attack or stroke.

New study findings released this fall have found that coronary artery bypass surgery is more effective than coronary angioplasty and stenting in patients with severe heart disease. If you or a loved one suffers from heart disease, there are a variety of treatment options available. The trouble is, which one is the best? Which is most effective? New study findings released this fall have found that coronary artery bypass surgery is more effective than coronary angioplasty and stenting in patients with severe heart disease.

Risks have been found for healthy people taking cholesterol drugs. In February of 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the expanded use of AstraZeneca's cholesterol-lowering drug Crestor as a preventive medication for people who don't have cholesterol problems. Crestor, as well as other cholesterol-lowering drugs, or statins, including Lescol, Lipitor, Mevacor, Pravachol and Zocor, are FDA approved for people with high cholesterol levels to reduce their heart disease risk.

When it comes to taking care of your cholesterol, understanding certain terms is essential. Read on for a primer on the big three: LDL, HDL, and triglycerides. When it comes to your heart health, understanding your blood cholesterol levels can be lifesaving. Cholesterol levels play an important role in determining your risk for getting coronary heart disease. When too much cholesterol is present in the blood, plaque may form in the arteries reducing blood flow to the heart.

Eating a low-cholesterol, low-saturated-fat diet can go a long way in helping you manage your blood cholesterol levels—and it doesn't have to be boring. Eating a low-cholesterol, low-saturated-fat diet can go a long way in helping you manage your blood cholesterol levels (aim for a total cholesterol level of less than 200 mg/dL) and reduce your risk of having a heart attack and stroke-and it doesn't have to be boring.

Findings from a new study may provide an alternative to people troubled by statin-related pain. While cholesterol-lowering statins can be a lifesaver for people at risk for heart disease, they can also cause muscle pain and tenderness (called statin myopathy) in a certain percentage of them-estimates range from ten percent to twenty percent-resulting in patients having to stop taking the drugs.

Do you believe that high cholesterol is a condition that only affects adults? If so, you might be surprised to know that the problem can actually start quite young. Do you believe that high cholesterol is a condition that only affects adults? If so, you might be surprised to know that the problem can actually start quite young. In fact, in January of 2010, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that one out of every five teens has elevated cholesterol levels.

Here, simple ways to improve your numbers with no medication necessary. Understanding the role that cholesterol levels play in your heart health and taking steps to keep these levels under control can significantly reduce your risk for heart attack and stroke. Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance that circulates in your bloodstream and in all the cells in your body.

Studies are showing that even borderline high levels of cholesterol can increase your risk of developing this degenerative disease. For years, researchers have known that elevated cholesterol is tied to a host of diseases and conditions, mostly related to the heart. But a recent study offered up a surprising finding: Even borderline high levels of cholesterol can predict whether or not someone will suffer from Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia as they age.

If you use statin therapy to manage high cholesterol and also happen to suffer from asthma, you could find that your breathing may benefit. Possible Benefits of Cholesterol Medicine If you use statin therapy to manage high cholesterol and also happen to suffer from asthma, you could find that your breathing may benefit. This finding was released at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology annual meeting in the winter of 2009.

How good will the care you receive be if you're sick or injured? The answer may depend partly on where you live. Find out how your state stacks up. If you tripped and fell and needed to go to the emergency room to have your leg examined, how quickly would you be seen by a doctor? When was the last time you had your cholesterol levels checked? Do you and your neighbors have health insurance? The data for these questions and more helped to reveal how good healthcare is in various locations in this country.

Learn to manage your cholesterol where you spend the most time. Once you’ve come to terms with the fact that you’re among the 17 percent of Americans over the age 20 whose total cholesterol has been clocked at or above 240 milligrams per deciliter, you need to make a plan as to how you’re going to reverse this number and put a stop to the heart disease that is now encroaching upon your arteries with clogging plaque.

When your total cholesterol level climbs above 240, it’s time to take action to decrease your risk for a stroke or a heart attack. Quitting smoking, engaging in aerobic exercise at least three times a week, and eating a diet high in fiber and rich in fruits and vegetables will all contribute to the maintenance of a healthy balance of good cholesterol (HDL) and bad cholesterol (LDL); if the former is 60 or above, it actually prevents heart disease, while a level below 100 for the latter is desirable for people who have a higher likelihood for developing heart disease.

Not all fats are created equal. Choose those that are best for your heart. Fat has gotten a pretty bad rap, and in all fairness, much of it is well deserved.  Consuming too much saturated fat can up your LDL (or bad cholesterol) level, while trans fat, once considered to be a healthy alternative to animal fat, not only raises your LDL level, it also lowers your HDL, or good, cholesterol level.

Long known to help your digestive system, fiber is good for your heart health, too. Find out why, and how you can incorporate more of it in your diet. As the saying goes, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." And for those who have high cholesterol or high blood pressure,  this may very well be true. Apples are good sources of fiber, and experts believe that the more fiber you eat, the less likely you are to develop heart disease, which can lead to a heart attack.

When your total cholesterol level climbs above 240, it’s time to take action to decrease your risk for a stroke or a heart attack. Quitting smoking, engaging in aerobic exercise at least three times a week, and eating a diet high in fiber and rich in fruits and vegetables will all contribute to the maintenance of a healthy balance of good cholesterol (HDL) and bad cholesterol (LDL); if the former is 60 or above, it actually prevents heart disease, while a level below 100 for the latter is desirable for people who have a higher likelihood for developing heart disease.

Spice up your diet with these foods that you might not have known are good for your heart. By now, you probably know that salmon and blueberries are good for your heart. In fact, you're probably sick of hearing that salmon and blueberries are good for you. Fortunately, you can keep your blood pressure and cholesterol levels low and still enjoy a more varied diet.

Spice up your diet with these foods that you might not have known are good for your heart. By now, you probably know that salmon and blueberries are good for your heart. In fact, you're probably sick of hearing that salmon and blueberries are good for you. Fortunately, you can keep your blood pressure and cholesterol levels low and still enjoy a more varied diet.

Read on to find out how stress can be a burden on your body. In the movies, traumatic news is enough to trigger a heart attack. On TV shows, a dramatic mother tells her rebellious teen son that he's going to give her a heart attack. As it turns out, these situations may not be too far from the truth. Research shows a direct link between stress and an unhealthy heart.

Poor diet and lack of exercise aren't the only factors that can damage your heart. Your stress levels also play a huge role. In the movies, traumatic news is enough to trigger a heart attack. On TV shows, a dramatic mother tells her rebellious teen son that he's going to give her a heart attack. As it turns out, these situations may not be too far from the truth. Research shows a direct link between stress and an unhealthy heart.

This decadent dessert does more than just please your taste buds—it could benefit your health as well. It may be hard to believe that something as delicious as chocolate could actually be good for you? But it's true. According to a growing body of research, America's favorite sweet treat comes with a host of surprising health benefits-from regulating your blood pressure to reducing your risk of dementia.

Early steps in childhood to keep cholesterol low can help reduce the risk of heart disease or stroke later in life. High cholesterol is often thought of as an adult's health concern. However, research shows that parents may need to start thinking about the cholesterol levels of their children. In fact, it's now believed that coronary artery disease, which is caused by a buildup of cholesterol and plaque in the arteries and leads to heart disease and stroke, begins in childhood.

Concerned about high cholesterol or high blood pressure? Avoid these foods at all costs. You probably already knew junk food is bad for your waistline, but did you ever stop to think about what it's doing to your heart? In particular, watch out for foods high in saturated fat, sodium, and cholesterol—all of which can raise the risk of heart disease and heart attack, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

These nine foods simply aren't fair to your diet. A day at the fair conjures up ideas of friends, family, fun...and very possibly, fried foods. Although the fair has much to offer in the way of rides and activities, the truth is, many people come mostly for the food. Some stands may offer healthy choices, but they're often overshadowed by the seemingly endless supply of funnel cakes and corn dogs.

It may seem counterintuitive, but eating more of some foods can actually help you lose weight. Find out how. Eat more food, feel full all day long, and lose weight. It sounds too good to be true, like one of those fad diets that promises to help you shed 10 pounds while you watch TV. But this one is real. It's not that you can eat more Snickers, more pizza, or more sour-cream-and-onion potato chips.

Learn how to pinpoint and fix the seven sneakiest diet blunders. Dieting is a bit like walking a tightrope: easy to start but hard to stay on. And according to experts, the most common diet missteps are caused by things that might surprise you--your schedule, your friends, your shopping habits, even your clothes. While these sneaky saboteurs could derail your efforts, the good news is that you can stop them from undermining your long-term weight-loss goals.

These simple lifestyle changes can help you improve your levels no prescription required. See what people are saying about this article on our Facebook page! If you've been diagnosed with high cholesterol, you're not alone. More than 100 million American adults have "borderline high" total blood cholesterol levels of 200 mg/dL and higher, according to the American Heart Association.

Along with a healthy diet and exercise regimen, certain medications can help get cholesterol levels in a normal range. It seems as though medications for lowering cholesterol are constantly being developed, tested, and enhanced. As a result, it can be difficult to keep them all straight, especially as new research comes out to show that drugs once thought effective don't actually work the way doctors had hoped.

Do you know the facts about cholesterol? Test your knowledge now. High cholesterol affects an estimated 100 million Americans, or roughly one-third of the U.S. population, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). But despite its prevalence, most people are so unaware of the condition's risks that they don't even know their own cholesterol levels.

High cholesterol puts you at a higher risk for serious health conditions, including heart attack and stroke. Here, a look at cholesterol by the numbers. Cholesterol is found in every cell of the body. This fat-like substance is an important component of cell membranes and a building block in the formation of certain hormones. Too much cholesterol in the blood, though, can cause fatty deposits to develop in blood vessels, making it difficult for blood to flow through the arteries.

You might be tempted to try home cholesterol tests purchased from a pharmacy or online. But are they safe and accurate? When the heart's blood vessels become clogged with cholesterol, it sets the stage for a heart attack, and this year, nearly half a million Americans will die from heart disease, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). What's more, due in part to rising obesity rates and the popularity of fast food, heart-attack victims are getting younger and younger.

These delicious superfoods can help to lower your levels. If you have high cholesterol, that doesn't mean you have to resign yourself to a bland diet. In fact, a tasty salmon entree, a handful of sweet berries, or even a glass of red wine can all help to lower your levels and improve your heart health. The next time you go grocery shopping, look for these cholesterol-lowering treats recommended by the American Heart Association.

It's often said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Find out why it's so important to get off to a good start. When you're hitting the snooze button for the third time, breakfast is probably one of the last things on your mind. After all, you still have to shower and then race to work in time to make that presentation. But according to experts, letting a hectic schedule force you to skip breakfast could compromise your health.

Following these simple tips can help you lower your cholesterol levels and your health risks. Everyone needs a basic amount of cholesterola waxy, fat-like substance found in all cells of the body to function. But if your cholesterol is at an unhealthy level, it could mean you have an increased risk of developing heart disease. What can you do to keep your cholesterol at or reduce it to healthy levels? Try these nine tips: Eat a hearty bowl of oatmeal for breakfast.

Do you know your LDL, HDL, and triglyceride numbers? Learn how to decipher these terms and reduce your disease risk. At this point, it's no secret that high cholesterol levels can lead to heart disease or stroke. But according to the American Heart Association, only about 13 percent of Americans know their cholesterol numbers or what they mean. In addition to keeping your levels in check by making healthy lifestyle choices, follow these guidelines to learn what your cholesterol levels are and what they mean.

Savor these treats without sacrificing flavor--or your health. At first blush, a heart-healthy diet might sound pretty bland: reduced salt, low cholesterol, limited calories, decreased fat. But luckily, there are a variety of foods that are both delicious and healthy, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).

These simple tests can help detect common health conditions before they escalate. In today's busy world, medical exams often take a backseat to work, family, and other commitments. In fact, 28 percent of women don't go for their annual Pap tests, and only 32 percent know their cholesterol numbers. Could this behavior be compromising your health? Here's a list of five exams you can't afford to put off another day.

These numbers could potentially save your life. Your phone number, credit-card pin, social-security digits—these are all crucial numbers to remember. And according to health experts, you should also commit another set of numbers to memory. Why? These numbers could potentially save your life: Total cholesterol LDL bad cholesterol HDL good cholesterol Total cholesterol is, of course, the total of your low-density (LDL) cholesterol, high density (HDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides.

Follow these simple strategies to get your cholesterol levels where you want them to be. You're working hard to eat right so you can lower your cholesterol levels. You're reading nutrition labels, buying fewer pre-packaged foods, and testing yourself often. But you're still struggling to keep your cholesterol down. What are you doing wrong? The answer may surprise you.

A new study reveals that women are far more likely to remember their high-school weights than their cholesterol levels. Adult women are more than twice as likely to know how much they weighed in high school than they are to know their current cholesterol number, and only half have had their cholesterol tested in the past year, according to results of a nationwide survey released today.