Lowering Cholesterol In the Elderly

(LifeWire) - Lowering cholesterol is a concern for people of all ages, and especially for senior citizens. At age 82, Charlie Rivet is going strong. The retired information technology specialist from Houston, Texas, walks two miles a day, visits hospitalized heart patients once or twice a week and enjoys playing with his six grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

Even though Rivet had a triple heart bypass in 1985, he's been in good shape ever since. In large part, he believes he's warded off further heart problems by keeping his cholesterol levels down.

Cholesterol is a fatty material produced by the body to assist in a variety of functions, including digestion, and is also found in most foods. Too much cholesterol buildup in the blood – called plaque -- though, narrows and hardens the arteries, preventing enough oxygen from circulating through the body.

Plaque can lead to angina, the chest pain that occurs when your heart doesn't get enough blood, or a heart attack, which is also called myocardial infarction. Until it does damage, however, high cholesterol has no apparent signs.

There are two kinds of cholesterol that make up your total blood levels. LDL is known as the "bad cholesterol" and leads to plaque. HDL is the "good cholesterol" that helps eliminate cholesterol buildup from your body through the liver.

Rivet's overall cholesterol level -- once bordering on high at 220 mg/dL -- is now a healthier 156 mg/dL. He credits 25 years of cholesterol-lowering medication and lifestyle changes for his continued good health.

You Are What You Eat

While older folks need fewer calories, their nutritional needs don't change. That means they must consume more nutrient-rich foods and fewer empty calories, such as those from chips, sweets and sugary drinks. Everyone interested in managing cholesterol can benefit from these tips:

• Eat less cholesterol-rich food: This includes food such as beef, poultry, shellfish, eggs, butter, cheese and 2% or whole milk.
• Limit cholesterol: Try to consume less than 300 mg of cholesterol each day.
• Control fat intake: Total fat should make up between 25 and 35% of the calories consumed in your diet, and saturated fats, such as butter, should be limited to less than 7% of the calories you consume. Trans fats, which are highly processed vegetable oils with hydrogen added to make them both tastier and longer lasting, should account for less than 1% of your caloric intake.
• Increase your fiber: Eat 25 to 30 grams of fiber each day. Oatmeal, in particular, has been shown to reduce cholesterol.
• Slow down on sodium:Limit salt intake to 2,300 mg or less each day.
• Include plenty of healthy foods: Concentrate on incorporating vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, lean meats and poultry and 1% or fat-free dairy products in to your daily diet.

There is some evidence red wine may elevate the good HDL cholesterol. "I have my two glasses of red wine a day -- that's doctor's orders," Rivet says.

Doctors, however, do not recommend that people who normally abstain from drinking alcohol begin doing so in order to improve their cholesterol levels. More than two drinks per day for men or one drink per day for women may increase the risk of developing alcoholism, high blood pressure, obesity and breast cancer.

Monitoring your medication, especially if you take more than one, is also crucial. Cholesterol-lowering drugs work in several ways, and some other pharmaceuticals, such as the anticoagulant warfarin, the antibiotic erythromycin and some antifungal drugs can interact negatively with cholesterol medications. Make sure your doctor has a complete list of all your medications, so substitutions can be made if necessary.

Move to Your Own Rhythm

No matter what your age or physical condition, there are ways to increase exercise, which lowers your risk of heart disease by increasing your HDL. Thirty minutes of exercise a day, at least four days a week, is recommended.

If you have a heart condition, check with your doctor before beginning any fitness regimen. Other precautions:

• If you choose walking, pick a location with a smooth surface and little traffic. If you plan to walk at night, make sure your route is well-lit and safe.
• Find an exercise buddy to help you stick to your routine.
• Be sure to take time to allow your body to warm up and cool down.
• If you've been inactive for awhile, take exercise slowly at first.
• Drink water every 15 minutes.

Rivet, who exercises regularly, eats a low-fat diet, takes 40 mg of Lipitor (atorvastatin) a day and gets his cholesterol checked every six months, sees a long life ahead of him, "I have an aunt that lived to 104, and I plan to beat her record."

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