People with Family History of Heart Disease and High Cholesterol Need to Watch Their Numbers
February 20, 2024
More than 40 percent of American adults do not know they have high cholesterol, according to a JAMA Cardiology report.
According to M. Kate Elfrey, D.O., a board certified cardiologist with The Heart Center at Mercy in Baltimore, if someone in your family has a history of heart disease or high cholesterol - even at the age of 30 to 35 - you should start paying attention to your numbers.
Dr. Elfrey said there are two types of cholesterol, and cardiologists usually focus on the "bad" cholesterol, the LDL; doctors like that number to be less than 100.
"Diet is really important when it comes to cholesterol, so eating a high-processed food diet, or a high red-meat diet, also lots of sugars, glutens can sometimes trigger high cholesterol, anything, any food that is inflammatory can increase cholesterol," Dr. Elfrey said.
Dr. Elfrey added that even stress can promote inflammation and increase cholesterol.
View Mercy cardiologist Dr. Kate Elfrey's interview regarding women and cholesterol issues.
About Mercy
Founded in 1874 in Downtown Baltimore by the Sisters of Mercy, Mercy Medical Center is a 183-licensed bed, acute care, university-affiliated teaching hospital. Mercy has been recognized as a high-performing Maryland hospital (U.S. News & World Report); has achieved an overall 5-Star quality, safety, and patient experience rating (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services); is A-rated for Hospital Safety (Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade); and is certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Magnet™ hospital. Mercy Health Services is a not-for-profit health system and the parent company of Mercy Medical Center and Mercy Personal Physicians.
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