Helping Seniors Maintain Healthy Cholesterol Levels

Cholesterol levels can be a source of stress for seniors. Here’s what seniors and their loved ones need to know.

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About 37 percent of U.S. adults have a higher than recommended LDL cholesterol level. Since this can increase risk of heart disease or stroke — and since seniors are already at higher risk of such health problems — it’s important for aging individuals to understand cholesterol. (Source: CDC)

What Cholesterol Is All About

Although many people think of cholesterol as something negative to avoid, cholesterol is actually a natural substance the body makes on its own. It helps cells make hormones, digest food, and more. Besides the cholesterol your body makes, you can also consume cholesterol in eggs, meat, and other foods.

There are three types of cholesterol doctors measure:

• High Density Lipoprotein (HDL)
• Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL)
• Triglycerides

HDL is considered “good” cholesterol because its function is to clear out LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, which can build up plaque in the arteries. Triglycerides can also accumulate and affect the heart. When doctors give patients their “cholesterol level,” higher HDL numbers are good news; higher LDL and/or triglyceride numbers are commonly referred to as “high cholesterol” and increase the risk of heart disease. (Source: MedlinePlus)

C A R E G I V E R S

Maintaining Healthy Cholesterol Levels

How to Manage Cholesterol Levels

Seniors tend to be at an elevated risk of heart disease simply because of the aging process. When a senior also has high cholesterol, their heart disease risk increases. It is important for seniors to manage their cholesterol levels in order to keep arteries clear and functional.

Here’s how cholesterol can be managed:

• Medication: There are a few medications that help lower bad cholesterol levels and increase HDL. The most common medications are called statins.
• Dietary Changes: Since cholesterol levels can be affected by what you eat, seniors with high LDL or triglycerides should:
  • Avoid unhealthy fats
  • Eat healthier fats
  • Get plenty of fiber
  • Reduce sugar intake
  • Reach a healthy weight
• Exercise Regularly: The body can manage conditions like high cholesterol better if you are physically active. Exercise stimulates many important natural processes, and simply taking walks is a great start.

(Source: WebMD)

Risks Associated with Poor Cholesterol Levels

The consequences of having too much LDL cholesterol include:

• Clogged arteries
• Increased risk of heart disease
• Higher risk of stroke
• Reduced function of the cardiovascular system

(Source: MedicineNet)

Other Heart Disease Risk Factors

Besides high cholesterol, other risk factors for heart disease among seniors include:

• Race/ethnicity
• Smoking
• Conditions like diabetes or obesity
• Lack of physical activity
• Genetics
• High blood pressure

(Source: WebMD)

Home Care Tip

Seniors can often have high cholesterol without showing any symptoms. Encourage seniors to visit doctors regularly and receive recommended blood tests to check cholesterol levels, especially if they are at elevated risk due to obesity or a poor diet.

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References:

• http://www.clearcareonline.com
• https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/facts.htm
• https://medlineplus.gov/cholesterol.html
• https://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/guide/steps-to-reduce-cholesterol
• https://www.medicinenet.com/cholesterol_management/article.htm
• https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/risk-factors-heart-disease