Cholesterol Management & Prevention of Heart Disease

Why is it important to test for Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is the main determinant for the development of atherosclerosis & atherosclerosis is the number one cause of heart disease in Australia. (Austalian Institute of Health & Wellfare 2006)

What is Atherosclerosis?

Atherosclerosis develops when circulating fats deposit in arteries & form fatty plaques which over time grow & cause narrowing of arteries with obstruction to blood flow.

Atherosclerosis will not usually cause any symptoms until it is fairly advanced & symptoms will depend on which arteries are affected.

First signs can be:

Hypertension

Breathlessness

Palpitations

Poor peripheral circulation (cold hands & feet)

Angina (especially with exercise because the restricted blood flow can't keep up with higher demand for oxygen)

Intermittent claudication i.e. leg cramps while walking (again restricted blood flow can't keep up with the body's demand for oxygen)

What is a cholesterol test?

Patient fasts for twelve hours, then a blood sample is taken and sent for analysis of serum lipids. Total cholesterol (TC), High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol & Triglyceride (TGL) levels are measured.

What do the tests show?

TGLs are Triglycerides, these reflect dietary intake of cholesterol

HDL cholesterol is termed 'good' cholesterol i.e. decreases the risk of heart disease

LDL cholesterol is labelled 'bad' cholesterol i.e. increases the risk of heart disease

Total cholesterol (TC) & more importantly the ratio of HDL to LDL determine the risk of developing atherosclerosis.

Why is it important for your health practitioner to take a full comprehensive history?

Once your health practitioner has determined that you have high cholesterol it is important for them to take a full comprehensive history of your health & the health of your family (parents & siblings).

Your health history determines the risk factors & consequent prognosis for cardiovascular disease(CVD) & when to initiate treatment.

Non modifiable factors are:

Age (advisable to test for cholesterol levels annually after the age of 40)

Gender (male higher risk than female)

Menopause

Family history (close relative with CVD)

Family history of diabetes

Modifiable risk factors are:

High cholesterol

Lifestyle factors such as smoking, excess alcohol

Lack of exercise

Chronic inflammation

Stress

Diet

One of the most important deteminants of high cholesterol is diet

A diet high in saturated fats & low in fibre, an excess calorie intake, an excess of refined carbohydrates or more importantly a high ratio of carbohydrate to protein in the diet can raise cholesterol levels.

At 'Ginkgo Healing' our focus is on

identifying the underlying causes of your condition,

nourishing & strengthening systems that have been unduly stressed or weakened

& restoring balance to the body as a whole.

We are trained in recognising the signs & symptoms of nutritional deficiencies that could be adversley impacting on your condition.

Our patient care program is tailored to meet the needs of the individual & includes advice on diet & lifestyle.

Our fully integrated cholesterol management program will address the underlying causes...

Weight loss program

Improving liver function (the liver plays a key role in the metabolism of fats)

Re-balancing blood glucose & managing sugar cravings

Correction of nutritional deficiencies

Control of inflammation

Stress reduction & improvement of sleep

... and will include herbal & nutritional support to lower your cholesterol.

Science meets with tradition...

There are a number of remarkable herbs such as 'St Mary's thistle' that help to lower cholesterol. These herbs share a long traditional use as 'liver herbs' and current scientific research supports the use of these herbs to lower cholesterol with studies indicating that cholesterol levels can be reduced by as much as 18% after 6 weeks of treatment.

Call us on 0432 470 720 or email

clare@ginkgohealing.com

to arrange an appointment