Columbus, OH,
22
August
2019
|
15:00 PM
Europe/Amsterdam

OhioHealth Medical Minute: Cholesterol

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MM - Cholesterol

With the annual Central Ohio Heart Walk quickly approaching, awareness about high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease is on the rise. According to the Centers for Disease Control, some 28% of American adults are recieving treatment for abnormal cholesterol levels. 

Fortunately, high cholesterol levels can be easily managed. In this latest OhioHealth Medical Minute, we talk to Kavita Sharma, MD, a lipidologist and cardiologist with OhioHealth Grady Memorial Hospital and OhioHealth Grant Medical Center, about some simple ways you can lower your cholesterol and lead a healthier lifestyle.

MT: “Hello once again, everyone, and thanks for joining us for another OhioHealth Medical Minute. My name is Marcus Thorpe, happy to be joined by Dr. Kavita Sharma, who is a lipidologist and cardiologist here with OhioHealth. Dr. Sharma, thanks for joining us.”

KS: “Happy to be here.”

MT: “All right, so we’re talking cholesterol and really some changes recently over the last couple of months when it comes to cholesterol numbers and data that’s out there. First, let’s talk about cholesterol. What is it? There’s a lot of different information, but what should people really know about cholesterol?”

KS: “Well, cholesterol is actually fundamentally important for us to have energy in our body. It’s the way energy is carried and transported to the body that needs it. The familiar terms of total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, HDL, these are all components of the lipid panel. The problem can be with too high of certain levels.”

MT: “So the big question is once your doctor comes to you and says you have too high of cholesterol, what’s the best way to lower cholesterol?”

KS: “The first step really would be through lifestyle, like diet and exercise to really try to lower the LDL levels, as well as triglyceride levels. Some important things to do would be to have a heart-healthy diet, high in fruits and vegetables, as well as low in sugar and processed carbohydrates and a lifestyle of exercise.”

MT: “Give us the profile then of somebody who may be dealing with cholesterol issues. Is there somebody, a man or woman specifically? Is there an age group where you really should be worrying about those kinds of things?”

KS: “Really, fundamentally, we all should be worried or know about cholesterol. The American Heart Association identifies risk factors for heart disease, so things like high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, inactivity, and cholesterol. All adults should really be aware of their values.”

MT: “Lots of information. That’s for sure. Okay, Dr. Sharma, thanks so much for this great information.”

KS: “Sure.”

MT: “And if you’d like more information about what’s going on in the world of heart and vascular with OhioHealth, just click here. I’m Marcus Thorpe. Thanks for joining us for this OhioHealth Medical Minute.”