Cholesterol: Size Counts
Most American adults have had their cholesterol level checked. And most people know that number needs to be below 200. But that only tells part of the story.
Some doctors say measuring how big or small your cholesterol particles are is just as important. Alan Scharf used to have high cholesterol.
“My bad cholesterol, good cholesterol — those ratios that are supposed to be a certain way, they were kind of out of sync, and that was the big concern.”
But Cardiologist Arthur Agatston told Alan he had a bigger problem to deal with.
“The total cholesterol is a very poor predictor of future heart attack and stroke in individuals.”
But he says knowing the size of your cholesterol is important. If good, HDLl particles are small, they’re not as efficient. And if bad, LDL particles are small, they slip into vessel walls more easily.
“It’s also oxidized more easily, which is part of what cases the plaque buildup.”
He warns even if your cholesterol is normal, you can still have dangerously small particles.
“In this country, actually more people have heart attacks with cholesterols less than 200 than with cholesterols over 300″ says Dr. Agatston.
You can increase your cholesterol size with a healthy diet, exercise, and medication.
“There’s absolutely something you can do about it.”
Alan changed his diet, increased his exercise, lost 25 pounds and dropped his cholesterol from 247 to 135. A blood test shows both his good and bad cholesterol particles are bigger.
“I feel pretty good. I mean, I feel lighter.”
With a healthier future, Alan now has a new focus.
“I’m supposed to be getting married pretty soon, and I promised my fiancée that I’d be around 50 years from now to celebrate an anniversary, so that’s my goal.”
And that’s a goal worth toasting to. Doctor Agatston says small cholesterol size is associated with pre-diabetes, diabetes and also belly fat. Most major labs can do the test and most insurance companies cover it. But it’s not standard — you do have to ask your doctor for it.
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