News

A recent study showed that Oklahoma has more heart disease deaths than any other state in America. With September being National Cholesterol Education Month, INTEGRIS Health is encouraging Oklahomans to know their personal risk score, when to seek care to prevent heart disease and how to protect their heart health. 

"The buildup of plaque in arteries is a very slow process that occurs over several years,” says George Chrysant, M.D., interventional cardiologist at the INTEGRIS Health Heart Hospital. “This plaque buildup in some instances can lead to events such as heart attacks and strokes while plaque that builds up over longer periods of time can lead to other cardiac event such as the development of heart failure."

What is increasing Oklahomans risk for cardiovascular disease, heart attacks and death?

The most common type of heart disease is coronary heart disease (clogged arteries), which can cause heart attacks, stroke and heart failure. Risk factors for coronary heart disease include: 

• Elevated “bad” cholesterol
• Family history of stroke and heart disease
• Metabolic syndrome, which is diagnosed if three of the following are present:
  • Low “good” cholesterol
  • High triglycerides
  • High blood pressure
  • High fasting glucose
  • Elevated waist circumference
• Chronic kidney disease
• Inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis, lupus, vasculitis, etc.
• For women: early age at menopause (under 40) or a history of pre-eclampsia or eclampsia

What is cholesterol?

• Cholesterol is a fatty substance created naturally by your body and increased by certain foods. While your body requires some cholesterol to function, excess amounts can build up in your blood vessel walls, increasing your risk of heart disease, heart attacks and stroke.
• Total cholesterol is measured by the overall amount of triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in your blood.
• Triglycerides are a type of lipid (fat) in your blood. They are created by excess calories that are stored in fat cells to be used later for energy.
• LDL can build up on artery walls and block blood vessels, increasing your risk for heart disease. Often called “bad” cholesterol, LDL can be increased by a diet high in saturated and trans-fat.
• HDL, or “good” cholesterol, helps lower the risk of heart disease. HDL protects your heart by removing bad cholesterol from your blood and preventing it from building up in your arteries. 

What is an acceptable range for cholesterol? 

Healthy LDL levels are less than 100 mg/dL, while healthy HDL levels are less than 40 mg/dL for men and 50 mg/dL for women. 

The following can negatively affect your cholesterol levels: 

• Genetics, lifestyle, diet and age
• Saturated fats and trans-fat found in fried foods, processed snacks and red meat
• Excess weight
• Physical inactivity
• Smoking 

Symptoms

Most people with high cholesterol feel completely normal, which is why screening is important. Unfortunately, the first sign for many people might be a heart attack. But a heart scan can give you a clearer picture of your heart health and underlying risk. 

Do you know your personal risk score?

By determining your coronary artery calcium score, a heart scan can predict your risk of a heart attack or cardiovascular event. 

Heart Scans 

A heart scan is a painless test that spots calcium buildup in your heart’s arteries that form due to cholesterol buildup over time. And it only takes a few minutes!

• A higher calcium score indicates a greater likelihood of significant plaque buildup and increased risk of cardiovascular issues.

Key takeaways:

While the news about heart health in Oklahoma is concerning, cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease are preventable in many cases. Lifestyle changes and early interventions are key to reducing your risk.

• Knowing your personal risk factors like cholesterol levels, blood pressure and family history is a critical way to protect your heart health.
• Early detection and treatment can prevent heart attacks, strokes and other serious complications and conditions.

Do you know your personal risk score? Call 405-951-5000 or make a request to schedule your heart scan now.