Elevate Your Health Colorado: Your Health Information Resource

There’s so much talk these days about maintaining good blood pressure and cholesterol levels. But what does “good” really mean? What are the consequences if they’re not so good? And why are they so important?

“High blood pressure and high cholesterol are major risk factors for heart disease,” explains Jennifer Bajaj, MD, MPH, a board-certified internal medicine physician at Kaiser Permanente Colorado. “And the only way to know you have these conditions is to be screened for them.”

What are good numbers?
For most people, an ideal blood pressure is 130/80 or lower. Blood pressure is considered high when readings are 140/90 or higher, or 130/80 or higher if you have diabetes. High blood pressure, also called hypertension, can be tricky to manage because people are often unaware they have it. Unlike some chronic conditions that cause visible, painful or recognizable symptoms, high blood pressure is a silent condition, which is why it can go undetected – and untreated.

There are many types of cholesterol. For most people, doctors follow two types more closely: HDL, known as the “good” cholesterol; and LDL, known as the “bad.” The ideal HDL level is 40 or higher, while the ideal LDL level is 100 or lower. However, the ideal LDL level depends on other heart disease risks, such as smoking and high blood pressure. When people have these and other risks, doctors adjust ideal levels accordingly.

“It is important to view the two kinds of cholesterol separately,” Dr. Bajaj explains. “HDL cholesterol has a protective effect on your heart and helps reduce the amount of bad cholesterol in your system. LDL cholesterol is known for clogging arteries, so this is the one you and your doctor need to watch.”

Understanding blood pressure
Blood pressure measures the force of blood pushing against artery walls. The first number measures pressure when the heart beats; the second measures pressure when the heart rests between beats.

Just as too much air pressure can damage a balloon, consistently high blood pressure can damage your arteries. It can also cause your heart to work harder than it should, which can lead to an enlarged heart or congestive heart failure.

Understanding cholesterol
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance circulating in your blood. Much of your cholesterol is made in your liver, but some comes from food, especially dairy products, eggs, and meat. Your body needs some cholesterol to function properly, but too much can be dangerous.

“Having a diet that’s high in fat or sugar will rev up your body’s production of cholesterol,” Dr. Bajaj explains. “Sugar is dangerous because it causes your body to make triglycerides, which increase the bad cholesterol and decrease the good cholesterol.”

Change for the better
High blood pressure and cholesterol are caused by many factors – some you can control and some you cannot. You can usually improve your blood pressure and cholesterol by eating a healthy diet, which includes lots of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, low-fat or fat free dairy products and whole grains. It also helps to maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, and limit salt and alcohol consumption. For tips on menus, visit Dr. Maring’s Farmers’ market and recipe update.

Also, if you smoke, quit. “You can have the best diet in the world and get regular exercise, but if you smoke cigarettes, it greatly increases your risk for a heart attack or stroke,” Dr. Bajaj continues. “If you do nothing else, quitting smoking is one of the most important things you can do to prevent heart disease.”

When lifestyle changes are not enough to achieve the desired results, physicians typically prescribe medication. If you need help with lifestyle changes, Kaiser Permanente Colorado has many classes and programs to help you take control of your cholesterol, diabetes and other conditions that can lead to heart disease. It also offers classes to help you quit smoking.

To learn more about controlling blood pressure and cholesterol, visit kaiserpermanente.org.

Dr. Bajaj received her medical degree from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and also completed her internship and residency there. She is board certified in internal medicine.