The modifiable risk factors include elevated LDL cholesterol, or the bad cholesterol, and low HDL cholesterol, which is the good cholesterol. Other major risk factors are hypertension, diabetes and cigarette smoking.
How is risk assessed?
According to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP ATP III), you first count the traditional risk factors, and if somebody has fewer than two risk factors, they're at low risk. And if they have two or more risk factors, they're potentially at high risk or intermediate risk. If they already have evidence of coronary disease, they're in the highest risk category. In addition, you are also put in the highest risk category if you have diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis (plaque build-up) in non-heart blood vessels, or a 10-year risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) events that is greater than 20 percent.
The treatment of hypercholesterolemia is based on the level of LDL cholesterol and risk, so the goal for your LDL cholesterol is determined by your level of risk. For people who are in the highest risk categories, the goal for their LDL cholesterol is less than 100 mg/dL, whereas if you're in the intermediate category, the goal is less than 130 mg/dL, and if you're in the low-risk category, it's less than 160 mg/dL.
What are some lifestyle risk factors?
The lifestyle cardiovascular risk factors are obesity, physical inactivity and a diet that promotes plaque buildup in the arteries; this is basically a high-fat, high-cholesterol typical American diet.
