Medical Reports: Heart Quiz

WSVN -- Two different people ...

Paula Householder: "I've had a triple bypass."

Two different stories ...

Jerry Seay: "I had a 98 percent blockage in one artery."

Two similar life changing moments ...

Jerry Seay: "I was told, with 98 percent blockage, I wouldn't have lived another week."

Paula Householder: "I was in so much pain, and no one could tell me what was wrong."

Both had a family history of heart disease, but, like most people, they didn't pay attention to their cholesterol levels until the damage was already done.

Dr. Jack Schwade: "We're kind of late in the game when we already have blockages in blood vessels."

So, doctors say, for a healthy heart tomorrow, it's important to test your cholesterol IQ today. Start by answering these questions. True or false: you only need to know your total cholesterol number? False, you should know your good cholesterol number, or HDI number, and your LDL ,or bad cholesterol number. The LDL should be lower.

Question two: your cholesterol level should be 200 or below? Well, for some people that's true.

Dr. Jack Schwade: "If people have coronary artery disease under 200-150-160, LDL should be less than 70."

True or false: kids don't need to be tested? False, kids can have high cholesterol, too.

Jerry Seay: "I have a granddaughter and she's 13, and they've already had her blood work done."

Finally, medicine is the only way to lower your cholesterol. False, diet and exercise are actually the first lines of defense, and it's never too late to get active and eat healthy.

Christine Cruz: "And, something important to remember, there are no tell-tale symptoms that go along with high cholesterol. Only a blood test can reveal if your cholesterol levels are normal."

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Contact: New York-Presbyterian Hospital
Weill Cornell Medical Center
1300 York Avenue, Box 144
New York, NY 10021
publicaffairs@med.cornell.edu