Heart disease is the number one killer in the United States. Samantha Chen, Registered Nurse at West Kendall Baptist Hospital, says the majority of the people she sees have high cholesterol. "All of the advantages in the preventive space and in the treatment space with angioplasty, thrombolytics, defibrillators and transplants have made a huge impact…...

Dr. Ted Feldman, Medical Director of Prevention and Community Health with Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, says statin drugs are the ones that have been available since 1985 for high cholesterol treatment. "They block the synthesis of cholesterol in the liver cells where most cholesterol is made, telling the liver cell 'I need more cholesterol',…...

More significant than cholesterol numbers is the lifestyle of the patient for understanding them. Dr. Rosendo Collazo, Internal Medicine Physician with Baptist Health Primary Care, explains sedentarism and smoking are the main factors to be addressed. He describes the cholesterol profile has two components: the good component is HDL and the bad component, LDL. He…...

With a digital imaging, Dr. Rosendo Collazo, Internal Medicine Physician with Baptist Health Primary Care, explains the artery. He describes the normal elements of the artery and the development of plaque. He also explains how cholesterol can create an inflammatory response that helps develop the plaque. Having low cholesterol reduces the risk of clots, he…...

Lisa Klein-Davis, Physician Assistant with Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, affirms there are some people who have certain genetic abnormalities, that they have really high levels of cholesterol. She also describes in that case, diet and exercise can help the patient lower their cholesterol levels. In some cases, medication is required. Dr. Jonathan Fialkow, Chief…...

Cholesterol has three main functions: helps produce hormones, a building block for cells and assists in bile production in the liver. Lisa Klein-Davis, Physician Assistant with Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, affirms people’s body produces enough cholesterol that it needs, to be able to do all of these functions that are essential. Dr. Jonathan Fialkow,…...

People with low cholesterol who have elevated triglycerides may be at risk of heart disease, affirms Dr. Jonathan Fialkow, Deputy Chief of Cardiology with Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute. He also explains LDL cholesterol is the particle taking the cholesterol into the arteries. The ideal numbers are: LDL cholesterol, under 130 and must be below…...

Cholesterol checked means getting a fasting blood test, explains Dr. Deepa Sharma, Family Medicine Physician with Baptist Health Primary Care. The doctor explains a graphic with cholesterol levels. She describes LDL is considered as “bad” cholesterol, HDL as “good” cholesterol and what Triglycerides are. One thing we know we should manage is our cholesterol…...