StuHere are Some More Good Reasons to Find Out
By Dr. Jay Adlersberg

(New York-WABC, October 7, 2004) — Staying on top of your good health means keeping track of several risk factors for illness. One of those is your cholesterol. Dr. Jay Adlersberg says there are some basics that should be knowledge at your fingertips.

The saying, "Knowledge is Power" also applies to knowing some particulars about your cholesterol, even if you think you are too young to worry about it because too often, it can come as a shock. A blood test at the doctor's office can tell you what your cholesterol level is.

An good overall cholesterol reading should be less than 200.

Actor Henry Winkler is helping the American Heart Association get the word out on cholesterol.

Henry Winkler, American Heart Association Spokesperson: "I had 277 points and I had no idea that my was that high."

Fact number one: High cholesterol has no symptoms. Even an otherwise healthy looking and healthy feeling person can have high cholesterol.

Winkler: "It was a wake up call."

Robert Collins, Cholesterol Patient: "I was feeling great, I was 30 at the time. I wasn't aware any family member had high cholesterol."

Robert Collins says he was shocked when he found out at a health fair that he had a cholesterol problem: An extremely high test number. But at his home there had been a hint.

Collins: "I spoke to my mother and father at the time. I had no idea high cholesterol can run in families. "

If your mom and dad are on cholesterol medication, know that your chances are higher that you, too, could have high cholesterol or could develop high cholesterol.

Doctor Johnny Lee, Cardiologist: "It doesn't necessarily mean that if your mom has high cholesterol, then you will have it. But again, it is something you have to be aware of."

And fact number 3: Testing for everyone should start at age 20. Then, if it's normal, testing should be done every five years.

Doctor Lee: "If we don't take care of our heart, we have cut our lives short."

Controlling high cholesterol starts with diet and exercise, medications, and if your overall cholesterol is high your doctor will want to get a test done on a fast. That test gives you good and bad cholesterol readings. Your bad cholesterol, LDL is the one you want to keep low, under 100. Remember L for Lousy to know which number you need to keep the closest watch on.