The Truth About Cholesterol

On today’s Good Day Health Show - ON DEMAND… Host Doug Stephan and Dr. Ken Kronhaus of Lake Cardiology (352-735-1400) cover a number of topics affecting our health. First up, Doug and Dr. Ken begin with good news that the American survival rate for ALL cancers has reached 5 years. In large part, this is because we’re doing better at early diagnosis, we have diagnostic tools we never had before, and there is more of a focus on immune therapy in treating cancers to prevent cancer from progressing/spreading or returning.  Moving on, the conversation shifts to GLP-1s and their effect on diabetes as well as overall weight loss with the help of suppressing appetite. The movement on these medications are progressing from shots to oral pills. While not currently as effective as the shots, the pill form is a good choice for those adverse to injections. When it comes to cholesterol, the numbers per individual have changed over the years with many thinking one set of numbers is considered “good,” when it could be the wrong numbers for that specific person. When it comes to cardiovascular prevention, patients should work with medical professionals who are specialists with cholesterol to determine what their numbers should be. Additionally, how cholesterol numbers affect the heart and why some people look like they are incredibly fit, yet have dangerously high cholesterol. Dr. Ken goes on to say some general guidelines of what he wants a patients LDL to be based on other elevations happening in your body, based on the amount of plaque he sees in coronaries, and even Lipoprotein(a) reference range. For better understanding, Lipoprotein(a) is a genetically determined, cholesterol-carrying particle in the blood that, when elevated, significantly increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and aortic stenosis. Primarily inherited, high levels are not typically affected by diet or exercise, causing plaque, inflammation, and blood clots.Rounding out the conversation, Doug and Dr. Ken address listener questions. Included in the discussion are questions about exercise, specifically how working out can improve neurological conditions like depression. Another question addresses the new food pyramid, how it’s upside down and sifting through the confusion of the change up.Website: GoodDayHealthShow.com Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks