Check it out

Jul 8 2002 By The Evening Chronicle

More than a third of women have never had their cholesterol levels checked, according to a new survey.

Researchers also found almost half of those questioned admitted they did not really understand cholesterol - one of the biggest contributors to heart and circulatory disease which kills more than 235,000 people every year.

And only about one in 10 knew nearly half the deaths from heart disease were caused by raised levels of the fatty substance.

The findings were produced from a health survey questionnaire published in Good Housekeeping magazine and completed by more than 1,300 female readers.

The research results were presented to Government health officials at a reception at the House of Commons attended by actress Joan Collins.

Good Housekeeping editor-in-chief Lindsay Nicholson said: "Women in their mid-40s onwards are especially at risk from raised cholesterol.

"Whilst our survey showed there is a basic knowledge about cholesterol, that knowledge is patchy and most women still don't understand what a serious health threat raised cholesterol can be.

"This survey proves there is an obvious need for further information and education if we are to understand more about cholesterol and its direct link to heart disease."

Researchers also found that 72 per cent of those questioned said their doctor had never discussed cholesterol with them or recommended they have a heart health check.

But some of the respondents were aware about the need to try and prevent coronary disease, 42 per cent said they knew what cholesterol was and what measures were needed to reduce it.

Cholesterol is a highly-concentrated energy source essential for fuelling the body's chemical reactions. But if there is too much in the bloodstream the risk of strokes, angina and heart attacks increases.

A cholesterol test is advisable for anyone affected by risk factors such as smoking, a family history of heart attacks, obesity or high blood pressure.

All the test requires is a small sample of blood from the arm.

Doctors do cholesterol testing in the surgery free of charge.

But remember your surgery is very busy, so make sure your visit is prompted by a legitimate concern and not paranoia.

A reading of 5.2mmol/1 and below is normal, 5.2-6.5mmol/1 is slightly raised, and you may be advised to cut down on saturated fat.

A high reading of 6.5 and 7.8mmol/1 will mean a strict diet and possibly medication if there are other risk factors.

A very high reading is 7.8 and drugs are usually prescribed.

Only a very small portion of what our bodies need is absorbed directly from cholesterol-rich foods. High cholesterol can be hereditary.

Pharmacy and home tests, which cost between £8 to £10, give results in minutes but can be less reliable than your GP.

Lee Hetherington, a retired chemist from Newburn, said: "As long as the test is done according to the instruction, the result can probably be relied on in the absence of other indicators."

How fat is handled

To understand the effect cholesterol has on the body, it is important to understand its relationship with fat.

There are two types of fat - saturated and unsaturated.

Saturated fat is high in foods such as butter, lard, pork, beef and lamb, and these increase the amount of cholesterol in the blood, which in turn increases the risk of coronary heart disease.

Most vegetable fats provide larger amounts of healthier, unsaturated fats.

Fats are broken down into fatty acids and glycerol, and are used to repair cells and provide energy.

Fatty acids and glycerol recombine to form triglycerides, which are absorbed into the blood stream.

Some are carried to the liver, where they are used to manufacture cholesterol.

Any excess is stored in the body under the skin, causing weight gain and obesity.

The more heart-friendly unsaturated fats are found in fish, poultry and soft margarines.