Research
Because there's still much we don't know about
heart disease, researchers across the country
are constantly working to find the answers to
these and other questions:
How big a role does your family medical
history play?
Future treatments might
be based on the answer to this question.
How important is HDL ("good
cholesterol") in preventing heart disease?
Medical
experts believe regular exercise and, when
appropriate, stopping smoking, can raise
HDL levels and protect the body from high
cholesterol. One day, treatment may be aimed
at raising HDL.
How low should we go?
How low LDL cholesterol should go is based on several factors. In a person with
known cardiac disease, diabetes, stroke, symptomatic carotid disease, or disease
of the abdominal aorta, LDL needs to be less than 100 milligram. Another group
that needs to be at least less than 100 are those with multiple risk factors
that score high on an assessment known as the Framingham Assessment.
If you
have more than 2 traditional risk factors, your provider will use this assessment
to further decide your appropriate LDL target. In some patients with known
cardiac disease an LDL level of < 70 milligrams is now an option. These
patients are those with known cardiac disease and other risk factors such as
diabetes or uncontrolled high blood pressure etc. The healthcare provider will
work with each person to assess an individual LDL target goal.
Newer clinical studies such as the PROVE-IT
trial were instrumental in the National cholesterol
education program suggesting changes for the
needed level of LDL cholesterol in an individual
with known coronary artery disease as suggested
above.
Is low cholesterol enough
to prevent heart disease?
No. Appropriate blood pressure and
blood sugars are also very important, along
with weight with a body mass index of less
than 25, no smoking, limited alcohol use
and regular exercise.
When does heart disease start?
Research
has shown that even young children have fatty
deposits in their coronary arteries. Someday,
physicians may start treat children to prevent
them from developing heart disease later in
life.
Reviewed by: Joyce Ross, MSN, CRNP
Last updated: November 2005
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