Get The Heart-Healthy Facts This National Cholesterol Education Month

Every year, millions of Americans face high cholesterol. In fact, the CDC estimates that as many as 10% of all US adults age 20 or older had high cholesterol levels between 2017 and 2020. While high cholesterol can impact people of all ages, experts recommend that people over 65 get their cholesterol levels tested yearly

Heart disease, which high cholesterol can contribute to, is consistently ranked the number one cause of death in the United States—making cholesterol levels an important health issue for seniors and their caregivers to be mindful of.

But what is cholesterol really, and what does it mean to have “high cholesterol”? Do you know the difference between “bad” cholesterol and “good” cholesterol? And why should you and your aging loved ones aim to keep your cholesterol within a healthy level? This month, we’re answering these questions and more in honor of National Cholesterol Education Month. Read on to get the heart-healthy facts.

What is Cholesterol?

Most people are familiar with discussions of cholesterol, particularly in the context of preventing and treating high cholesterol. However, not all people may know what exactly cholesterol is.

The National Library of Medicine defines cholesterol as a “waxy, fat-like substance that's found in all the cells in your body.” One of the common myths about cholesterol is that all cholesterol is bad. It may surprise you to learn that your body actually needs cholesterol to make Vitamin D, certain hormones, and substances that help you digest food.

The problems begin when you take in too much cholesterol. Typically, your body creates all the cholesterol you need. However, eating certain foods that contain high levels of saturated fats—such as heavily processed foods, red meat, and dairy products—can introduce extra cholesterol that your body does not need. Maintaining a healthy diet is one way seniors and their loved ones can help keep cholesterol levels in check.

“Good” Cholesterol Vs. “Bad” Cholesterol

If you or your aging loved one has faced previous concerns about cholesterol levels, you may have seen the terms “HDL” and “LDL”, sometimes referred to as “good” and “bad” cholesterol respectively.

Both play a role in your body’s functioning. HDL stands for high-density lipoprotein and LDL stands for low-density lipoproteins. Don’t be too intimidated by this scientific terminology. Lipoproteins are, in simple terms, a combination of fats (“lipids”) and proteins. (You may remember learning about these back in your high school biology class!)

Although both HDL and LDL are vital to your body’s ability to function properly, it is still crucial to understand the distinction. Levels of LDL that are too high can cause a build-up of plaque in your arteries, leading to further health issues down the line. HDL, on the other hand, helps your body get rid of cholesterol by absorbing it and carrying it to your liver, where it is later flushed out of your body.

What Are the Risk Factors for High Cholesterol?

There are a multitude of risk factors for high cholesterol levels, including age, sex, race or ethnicity, genetics and family history, weight, certain health conditions (such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease, HIV, and lupus), and certain medications.

Cholesterol levels tend to rise as you get older and while men are at greater risk than women between ages 20 and 39, women’s risk goes up after menopause. If high blood pressure runs in your family, your loved one is taking certain steroids or chemotherapy medicines, or you are Asian American or non-Hispanic White, your risk is further increased.

While some risk factors are out of your control, the most common cause of high cholesterol is having an unhealthy lifestyle. Having a diet high in saturated fats, living a sedentary lifestyle with a lack of physical activity, drinking too much alcohol, and smoking can all contribute to higher total cholesterol levels as well as both higher levels of LDL cholesterol and lower levels of HDL cholesterol.

In addition to the aforementioned risk factors, stress can exacerbate the issue. Stress, especially severe and/or chronic stress, can raise the levels of certain hormones known as corticosteroids, which can cause your body to make more cholesterol. Knowing how to identify the signs of stress in your senior loved one’s life and help them find ways to regulate and manage their stress can go a long way in support of their mental and emotional health, but their heart health too.