Test your cholesterol smarts
Take this quiz to learn more about heart health.
1. You don't need a cholesterol check if you're thin and never had heart disease.
□ True □ False
FALSE. Older adults should have a cholesterol screening every four to six years. Your doctor may recommend more often if you show risk factors for heart disease. High cholesterol does not typically show symptoms.
2. Cholesterol is bad stuff. The less you have, the better.
□ True □ False
FALSE. Our bodies use cholesterol to digest food, form cell membranes, and help with other functions. What you need to keep in check is "bad" cholesterol — also called LDL cholesterol for low-density lipoproteins. Excessive amounts of LDL can lead to a heart attack. But then there are high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), often called "good" cholesterol because it was believed they sweep LDLs from the bloodstream. New research shows that some HDLs do this better than others. Still, low HDL numbers may indicate a lower risk for heart disease.
3. Eggs are off-limits if you're concerned about cholesterol.
□ True □ False
FALSE. Unless your doctor or dietitian tells you otherwise, you probably don't have to surrender your occasional omelet. The real culprits to watch are foods high in saturated fat and trans fat. They can raise your LDL cholesterol levels. If you want to lower your cholesterol, limit saturated fats to no more than 5 to 6 percent of total calorie intake, the American Heart Association recommends. Keep intake of trans fats as close to zero as possible.
4. Exercise may improve your cholesterol just as much as improvements to diet.
□ True □ False
TRUE. Exercise and diet are both important. Although many dietary changes can help lower LDL cholesterol, it can be a little more difficult to raise HDL or "good" cholesterol with diet alone. Certain foods — such as fish, nuts, olive oil, and other sources of healthy fats — may help, but just 60 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise can help boost HDL levels as well.
5. Food and exercise are the only factors that affect cholesterol levels.
□ True □ False
FALSE. When it comes to cholesterol, there are many factors involved. Age is one of them. LDL levels may increase as you get older. That's why it's important to discuss your levels and cholesterol control plan with a health care professional. Beyond diet and exercise, you'll want to consider weight, age, and heredity.
