September is National Cholesterol Education Month, and here at Pashen Health, I believe it is a great opportunity to bring attention to an important part of your overall health—your cholesterol and cardiovascular risk.
One of the challenges with high cholesterol is that it usually does not cause obvious symptoms. You can feel completely fine while changes are occurring in your blood vessels over time. This is why I encourage routine screening and, more importantly, understanding what your numbers actually mean for you.
Cholesterol Education Month: What Is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that your body actually needs. It helps your body make hormones, vitamin D, and healthy cells.
The concern isn’t simply having cholesterol. The concern is when certain cholesterol and lipid levels become unhealthy and begin contributing to plaque buildup in the arteries.
When I review a standard lipid panel, I typically look at:
Total Cholesterol: The overall amount of cholesterol in your blood.
LDL Cholesterol: Often referred to as “bad” cholesterol because higher levels can contribute to plaque buildup in the arteries.
HDL Cholesterol: Often called “good” cholesterol because it helps transport cholesterol away from the arteries.
Triglycerides: A type of fat found in the blood. Elevated triglycerides can be associated with metabolic concerns and increased cardiovascular risk.
But here at Pashen Health, I don’t believe these numbers should be looked at by themselves.
Going Beyond the Standard Cholesterol Panel
For some patients, I may recommend looking beyond a traditional lipid panel.
Two additional markers that can provide more information are Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) and Apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I).
ApoB is found on particles that can contribute to plaque buildup, including LDL and other atherogenic particles. Measuring ApoB can help estimate the number of these potentially harmful particles circulating in the bloodstream.
This can be important because two people may have similar LDL cholesterol levels but very different numbers of cholesterol-carrying particles. ApoB can sometimes uncover cardiovascular risk that may not be as apparent from LDL cholesterol alone, particularly in people with insulin resistance, diabetes, elevated triglycerides, metabolic concerns, or a strong family history of cardiovascular disease.
ApoA-I is the primary protein associated with HDL. It plays an important role in transporting cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver.
Looking at these additional markers can sometimes give me a more complete picture of a patient’s cardiovascular health. They aren’t necessary for everyone, which is why testing should always be individualized.
I Look at More Than Your Cholesterol
One of the things I emphasize at Pashen Health is that your health cannot be reduced to one laboratory value.
When I evaluate cardiovascular risk, I also consider your:
- Blood pressure
- Blood sugar and metabolic health
- Family history
- Smoking history
- Age
- Weight
- Physical activity
- Medical conditions
- Medications
- Hormonal health
- Other laboratory findings
Depending on your individual history and risk factors, additional testing may also be appropriate.
My goal is to understand the whole person, not simply treat a number on a laboratory report.
Why Can Cholesterol Change?
Many different factors can affect cholesterol and triglyceride levels, including genetics, diet, physical activity, weight, insulin resistance or diabetes, smoking, alcohol use, certain medications, thyroid conditions, and hormonal or age-related changes.
This is another reason I encourage regular preventive visits and appropriate laboratory testing. Your numbers can change even when you haven’t noticed a significant difference in how you feel.
Small Changes Can Make a Difference
Improving cardiovascular health doesn’t always require dramatic changes.
Depending on your individual needs, I may recommend increasing physical activity, adding more fiber-rich whole foods, reducing highly processed foods, maintaining a healthy weight, improving sleep, managing blood pressure and blood sugar, and avoiding tobacco.
Some people are able to significantly improve their cholesterol through lifestyle changes. Others may need medication because of genetics, diabetes, existing cardiovascular disease, or their overall cardiovascular risk.
There is no single approach that is right for everyone, which is why personalized care matters.
When Was Your Last Cholesterol Check?
During National Cholesterol Education Month, I encourage you to ask yourself one simple question:
Do I know my numbers?
If it has been a while since your last lipid panel or preventive health evaluation, September is a great time to get back on track.
Here at Pashen Health, I believe preventive healthcare means identifying potential concerns early, understanding your individual risk factors, and developing a plan that makes sense for your health—rather than waiting until something goes wrong.
Your Health. Our Priority.
If you’re due for updated laboratory testing or a preventive health visit, schedule a consultation with Elisabeth Ashe, MSN, ARNP, FNP-BC, at Pashen Health.
During Cholesterol Education Month, I encourage patients to use this opportunity to understand their cholesterol numbers and overall cardiovascular risk.
For additional information about cholesterol and heart health, visit the American Heart Association’s cholesterol resources.
This information is intended for educational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
