Mihoko Mizokuchi writes:

        Both patient A and B have some risk factors regarding heart disease. Since they seem to favor high-cholesterol-contained food and lack everyday basic exercise. They, however, have many differences, and the most important differences between them are the following four factors.

        1) Cholesterol level: patient A has a high LDL cholesterol level, while patient B has a low total cholesterol level; 2) how they feel at the moment: A has "angina" chest pains, but B feels all right; 3) arteries' condition: A has narrowing of the arteries, but B has normal arteries; 4) a family history of diabetes: A doesn't have a family history of illness, while B's father died of diabetes two years ago.

        I have three major suggestions to both patient A and B. First, increasing exercise. Second, eating healthy food. Third, seeing their family doctors to know their risk and how to cope with it.

        Increasing exercise:

        Exercising can raise our high-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level, which removes cholesterol from the lining of the arteries and helps maintain good blood flow. An HDL cholesterol level of less than 35 puts us at higher risk for heart disease, while more than 60 reduces it. Patient A already has narrowing of the arteries. It would be a cause of his "angina" chest pain, for narrowing of the arteries results in high blood pressure and insufficient oxygen to the heart. So he must be very careful about his HDL cholesterol level. Patient B seems to have a low HDL cholesterol level, as her total cholesterol level is only 125, therefore she needs to pay attention to it. She also needs to try to quit smoking and lose weight in order to get the higher HDL benefit. How about participating in routine physical exercise?

        Eating healthy food:

        Eating healthy food can help lower our low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level, which carries cholesterol in the blood to body cells, and may protect us from the damaging effects of cholesterol. Patient A's LDL cholesterol level is 165, which means he has an increased risk of heart disease. (Less than 130 is a good or desirable level.)

        So these patients should eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day, for plant foods have no cholesterol, but are fiberrich. Fiber helps prevent diabetes and keeps our weight down. So fruits and vegetables are especially suitable to patient B, when I consider her family history of diabetes and the fact of her being overweight. I think she needs to replace her favorite white bread with whole-grain breads and cereals. When we increase the amount of fiber we eat, we should not forget to drink more fluids than usual.

        Both patients ought to limit high cholesterol foods such as egg yolks that patient A likes in particular. He should not eat egg yolks more than four times a week or should eat egg substitutes.

        And they should reduce fat, trim away all visible fat and boil, bake or broil rather than fry meats. Patient A needs to select lean cuts of meat although he loves fatty meat. They can limit intake of saturated fats such as dairy fats. For example, patient A can take non-fat ice cream and patient B can take cottage cheese. And they can replace animal fats with appropriate substitutes. Mono unsaturated fatty acid reduces the LDL level while keeping HDL levels the same. Mono unsaturated fatty acids are usually liquid oil of vegetable origin such as olive, peanut and canola.

        Seeing family doctors:

        Usually people over 20 had better have their cholesterol level checked at least once every five years, but because both patients A and B have some risk factors, they need to have their cholesterol level checked more often. They should talk to their family doctors (is it me?) about how often they need to be tested.

        Cholesterol comes from foods of animal origin and is produced by the body, mainly in the liver. Cholesterol is not all bad, but it is essential to human life. The best total cholesterol level is under 200. A level between 200 and 239 means we have some risk for heart attack or stroke. A cholesterol level of 240 or more means that we have an increased risk of heart disease. In short, seeing a doctor and checking up on their cholesterol level regularly will be significant for both patients A and B in order to avoid serious sickness or sudden death.

         

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