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Cholesterol – A silent killer

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Chenzira Mallory
  • 65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
LAJES FIELD, Azores --  September is National Cholesterol Education month and the 65th Medical Group is helping Lajes Airmen understand how cholesterol affects them and how to maintain healthy cholesterol levels.

Cholesterol is a substance that's found in your blood and is actually a good thing that helps your body build cells. Not having the right amount or too much puts you at risk for heart disease.

"If you have too much cholesterol, then it starts to deposit in your blood vessels causing them to get stiff," said Lt. Col. Christine Tholen, 65th Medical Group, chief of Aerospace Medicine. "With an excessive amount of deposit, especially around the heart, the blood vessels narrow, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke."

There are different types of cholesterol - HDL and LDL- and recommended levels for each. Aim for these recommended levels to reduce your risk of heart disease.

"You have your HDL's [high-density lipoproteins] and your LDL's [low-density lipoproteins," said Tholen. "You want your HDL's to be high and your LDL's to be low."

Tholen also explains that it's very important to know your cholesterol numbers.

"As Airmen we get our cholesterol checked once when we're 18 and every five years after that," said Tholen. "Knowing your [cholesterol] numbers enables you to correct it through lifestyle changes before medication is needed to correct it."

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, a healthy level of cholesterol should be lower than 200 mg/dL. Although cholesterol isn't at the forefront of everyone's thoughts as they walk into a medical clinic, it's still very significant and should be checked routinely.

"It's silent," said Tholen. "You can't feel it even if the plaque build-up is there."

There are many factors that can put you at risk for high cholesterol including lack of exercise, poor diet, smoking and excess weight. The Lajes medical team has ways to take care of our Airmen and assist them in making better lifestyle decisions.

"The Health and Wellness Center offers a cholesterol class and a Be Well class to educate people on proper diet and ways to maintain a healthy weight and cholesterol level," said Tholen. "There's also an exercise physiologist on staff to provide one-on-one exercise training so people can increase their physical activities properly and safely."

There are common misconceptions about cholesterol that Tholen would like to clarify.

"There isn't an age limit for bad cholesterol," said Tholen. "Even as a child, plaque could be building in your arteries putting you at risk for a heart attack in your twenties."

Not only is imperative for Airmen to routinely check their cholesterol levels, but it's also important to maintain those good cholesterol levels through a healthy lifestyle.

"It's not just an 'old people' disease," said Tholen. "Anyone could potentially be at risk."