CHOLESTEROL: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE HEALTHY

Social security numbers, addresses, phone and license numbers were once about the only groups of digits the average individual would consider important enough to commit to long-term memory.

However, with health topics becoming more frequent around office break rooms and family dinner tables, other numeral groupings are gaining attention.

Every person has his or her own set, they're easy to obtain, and because they're subject to change, the knowledge could translate to a longer, happier, healthier life.

On a recent Wednesday morning, Florence and Cyril Brucker of New Hamburg decided to find out their cholesterol numbers. It was the first time for such testing for either of them.

"I thought, if there's something that we can change, we will change," said Florence Brucker, reflecting on the motivation behind her and her husband's trip to St. Francis Medical Center's Heart Institute.

"We got concerned because our daughter -- she's young -- had a severe heart attack recently," Florence Brucker explained.

"She's 40, and she really didn't have any risk factors at all."

"She's doing good," the thankful mother said, adding, "We've kind of gotten health conscious."

Like the Bruckers, many people in the area -- dozens each week -- are taking a closer look at their health by having their cholesterol levels checked through services offered by Cape Girardeau hospitals.

Both St. Francis Medical Center and Southeast Missouri Hospital offer cholesterol checks on a walk-in basis and for nominal fees.

Cholesterol screening is provided at the Heart Institute at St. Francis Medical Center 7 a.m. to noon each Wednesday.

Cholesterol screening is available 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at Southeast Missouri Hospital's Fitness and Wellness Center in Jackson. Cholesterol screening is also provided 8 a.m. to noon each Thursday at Southeast Hospital's Home Health Office, 760 S. Kingshighway, Suite C, in Cape Girardeau.

For some, knowledge gained in about 15 minutes can spark changes that last a lifetime.

For others, like the Bruckers, the knowledge gained lends peace of mind. The results of their cholesterol screenings "were just about normal," Florence Brucker said. "We felt relieved and really about the only thing we're concerned about is our diet now, the fat in our diet and exercise."

Their concern and the growing concern of others is justified, nutrition studies reveal.

"The American diet has been loaded in fats," explained Bill Logan, wellness coordinator at St. Francis Medical Center.

"People don't realize the hidden sources." Fried foods, sweets and dairy products can be prime sources of undesirable fats.

"Originally, people thought, `If I lower my cholesterol intake, I'll lower my cholesterol.' That's not necessarily so," Logan said. "You have to lower other things, you have to lower your fat intake."

Saturated fat is viewed as a particularly significant threat to blood cholesterol levels. These fats generally remain solid at room temperature, and are found mostly in foods from animal sources.

Fats are also present in foods of vegetable origin. However, cholesterol is found only in foods of animal origin.

Though an overabundance of cholesterol, and fats, in the blood can lead to serious health problems like heart attack and stroke, cholesterol in and of itself is not bad. Fact is, it's a compound that is necessary for life.

"If we took in no cholesterol at all, the liver would still manufacture cholesterol," explained Ed Slaughter, wellness specialist at Southeast's Fitness and Wellness Center and the Cape Girardeau Home Health Office.

With the explosion of conversation about cholesterol comes water-cooler chit chat about "good" cholesterol and "bad" cholesterol. To persons untrained in the medical field, such terms might cause a mass raising of eyebrows.

Slaughter puts meaning to the lingo this way: LDL (bad cholesterol) tends to stick to the artery walls, while HDL (good cholesterol) acts like a broom, cleansing the arteries and bloodstream.

Low Density Lipoproteins (LDLs) contain large amounts of cholesterol and other fats and a small amount of protein. High Density Lipoproteins (HDLs) contain small amounts of cholesterol and other fats and large amounts of protein.

Persons taking advantage of the hospital-provided screenings can learn their total cholesterol level with a simple prick of their finger, or they can obtain a more comprehensive breakdown called a lipid profile or lipid panel. Blood is drawn from the vein for the detailed analysis. Persons seeking lipid profiles should fast about 12 hours before coming in for the tests.

These lipid analyses reveal the total blood cholesterol level and spell out how much HDL and LDL are present in the blood.

Plus, the breakdown reveals the triglyceride levels in the bloodstream. "Triglycerides are basically the whole chemical package of fats in the blood," explained Logan.

A ratio illustrating the individual's risk of heart disease based on the numbers revealed is also determined, plus the lipoproteins that carry cholesterol from the liver to the rest of the body are measured, noted Slaughter.

"If you have a cholesterol reading of 200 or more, it's important to have a full test," Logan said. The individual's "risk can be very low, moderate or very high and still have the same cholesterol reading," he cautioned. Generally, the higher the HDL number, the lesser the risk. The Cardiac Risk Ratio is determined by dividing the total cholesterol level by the HDL level.

Slaughter explained: "For a man, you want your ratio to be 4.5 or less. For women, you want it to be 3.5 or less, if they're pre-menopausal. For post menopausal women, you want it to be 4.5 or less."

The National Institute of Health advises that a total cholesterol level of 199mg/dl or less is desirable.

When it comes to cholesterol, genetics play an integral role.

"Genetics are highly involved," Logan said. "Some people's bodies produce a lot more cholesterol than others."

While genetics are major factors, particularly in HDL levels, there are steps people can take to improve their "good" cholesterol numbers. "One thing we know that will improve HDLs ... is an exercise program," Logan said. He is careful to point out that improvements are highly individualized and subject to many factors.

"A lot of the information coming out is saying the important thing is not the intensity level of exercise, but rather doing it, the duration, putting in the time," he said. Enjoyment of the activity, likewise, is the key to long-term success.

Plus, the wellness coordinator stressed, smoking is a detriment to "good" cholesterol because it "drives down HDL levels."

"Bad" cholesterol, LDLs, on the other hand, are typically responsive to dietary changes. "We've seen some pretty quick drops in LDLs because of dieting changes," Logan said. "The people we see rapid changes in are the people who have had the really bad diets."

Logan advises that persons looking to better their cholesterol levels "try to isolate on the one key thing that they really need to improve."

"Fortunately, we know a lot more now than five years ago," Logan said of cholesterol. "If somebody's really interested, there's a lot of information out there." In some instances, physicians may instruct patients to use certain medications to help bring their cholesterol under control.

Though their cholesterol numbers look good, Florence and Cyril Brucker are committed to making healthy lifestyle changes.

Besides paying new attention to her dietary habits, Florence Brucker has taken up walking.

The harrowing experience of heart attack "really changes your outlook," she said, noting that her family has drawn closer through her daughter's ordeal.

Florence Brucker cautioned, "`It was just a fluke,' is what the doctor said. In other words, `It can happen to anybody.'"

"Every day is precious," the New Hamburg woman said with conviction. "We just must not take anything for granted."