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There is a very good reason that high cholesterol is a concern for so many people. Increased levels of cholesterol can present serious risks to an otherwise healthy person. While monitoring cholesterol with proper diet and exercise is important, the first step to conquering cholesterol is having a clear understanding of the facts. In May 2001, the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) issued important clinical cholesterol guidelines. This update was the first in ten years, and was prepared with hopes of helping adults manage their cholesterol levels, and prevent an increase. In cooperation with the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, the NCEP used research and study results to develop new cholesterol guidelines. These updated guidelines show significant changes in the following areas: * More insistent cholesterol-reducing treatments * The identification of patients posing a high risk of heart disease * A new stage at which low HDL, or low high-density lipoprotein, can pose a major high risk factor for heart disease * Improved therapeutic lifestyle changes to increase the ability to improve cholesterol levels * A greater focus on the cluster of risk factors in heart disease called "the metabolic syndrome", as related to insulin resistance * Greater awareness concerning the treatment, and more aggressive treatment of high triglycerides. By following these guidelines, the NCEP anticipated a considerable increase in the number of Americans undergoing treatment for high cholesterol. These numbers, in fact, did increase. The number of patients taking dietary treatments rose from 52 million to 65 million. In addition, an estimated 36 million patients were taking cholesterol-reducing drugs, up from the previous number of 13 million. The 2001 report showed that diabetes poses a great risk of heart disease, and also suggested that people with diabetes should undergo the same intensive treatment as those suffering heart disease. These treatment methods include lifestyle changes and medication. Because of the new cholesterol guidelines, there is now a tool that can be used to help predict a patient's chance of developing heart disease within a ten-year span. This tool can calculate the risk of men and women separately. The Adult Treatment Patients (ATP) is a group that highly recommends the use of this tool, as it can assess patients who present two or more risk factors of heart disease. Other changes presented in the new cholesterol guidelines include: * A better high cholesterol treatment for diabetics. People with Type 2 diabetes face a high short-term risk of having a coronary episode, and a higher risk of suffering a fatal heart attack. * Use of lipoprotein profile as the first step in testing for high cholesterol. This uses the measurement of levels of HDL, LDL, total cholesterol, triglycerides and other fatty substances that are found in the bloodstream. * Increased use of nutrition, weight control and physical activity to act as treatments of high blood cholesterol levels. * The identification of a "metabolic syndrome" of the risk factors relating to insulin resistance. * Advising patients to stop using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) as a substitute for cholesterol-reducing medicines. Over the ten year span, major advances were realized in the treatment of high cholesterol. Thanks to the findings of the 2001 National Cholesterol Education Program, we have a greater understanding of the effects of high cholesterol, and doctors are able to take advantage of better treatment options.
Article Source: http://www.rightarticle.com
Columnist Eunice Gaelek is a freelancer for several Internet magazines, on health education and senior health subjects.
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