Is there such a thing as "good" cholesterol?

Ask the Doctor
Leslee B. Cochrane, MD.
Medical Director

Ramona Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice

Question: “I have always thought that cholesterol was bad for you; but then I heard someone talk about “good” cholesterol. Is there such a thing as “good” cholesterol?”

Answer: Cholesterol in itself is not “bad” for you; in fact, your body needs a certain amount of cholesterol in order to function. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance necessary for the production of hormones, Vitamin D and other substances. Meats, dairy products and eggs contain cholesterol; but diet accounts for only 25% of your total cholesterol with the remainder being synthesized by the liver and other cells in your body.

Triglycerides are another form of fat shown to contribute to heart disease and require monitoring as well. There are two basic types of cholesterol; LDL, referred to as the “bad” cholesterol and HDL or “good” cholesterol:

LDL (Bad) Cholesterol

LDL is considered bad for you because high levels of LDL in the blood can combine with other substances to form a thick, hard deposit called plaque. Plaque builds up over time and causes a narrowing and hardening of the arteries. When the arteries become narrow, a small clot can form and lead to total blockage of the artery resulting in a stroke (brain) or a heart attack (heart).

HDL (Good) Cholesterol

HDL cholesterol is considered good for you because it has the ability to help the body “clean up” the plaque and remove it from the artery walls. High levels of HDL can decrease the risk of heart attack or stroke and low levels of HDL are a risk factor for heart attack and stroke.

Because cholesterol and triglycerides are a risk factor for heart attack and stroke, you should see your doctor and have a lipid panel checked. Below is a summary of desirable lipid values taken from the American Heart Association web site: http://www.heart.org

Total Cholesterol <200>240 High
LDL Cholesterol <100>160 High
HDL Cholesterol <>60 Protective
Triglycerides <150>200 High

So there you have it, “The Good (HDL), the Bad (LDL), and the Ugly (Triglycerides)” about cholesterol.

If you need help with any general health related issue contact our HELP line at 1-888-983-5337; or visit us on the web at www.help4elders.info. If you would like to submit a question please contact Jennifer Trebler at jtrebler@ramonavna.org.

Office on Aging Provides a Myriad of Elder Services

Elder Law Office of George F. Dickerman
3879 Brockton Avenue
Riverside, CA 92501
(951) 788-2156
www.elder-law-advocate.com

Elder Law Newsletter

Office on Aging Provides a Myriad of Elder Services

The Riverside County Office on Aging (OoA) offers a wide range of services and programs for seniors, the elderly and the disabled.

Every county in California has a similar agency (the California Department of Aging contracts with and provides leadership and direction to Area Agencies on Aging).

It's really pretty amazing - the number of different services and programs that are offered.

I encourage you to visit their website and see whether any of these programs could benefit one of your clients.

The following is just a partial list of the programs and services offered by the Riverside County OoA:

Adult Day Care. Non-medical services are provided to those at risk for institutionalization, and may include meals, social and recreational activities, rehabilitation and medication assistance.

Care Coordination. I have a personal 'mantra' ... "A nursing home placement and/or a conservatorship should always be a last resort". Under the right circumstances, OoA's care coordination services might provide the tools to prevent an elder from prematurely having to enter a nursing home. OoA can conduct a comprehensive in-home evaluation to identify the elder's specific needs and then assist by locating additional community resources that may meet enough of the required needs that a nursing home placement can be avoided.

Under "care coordination", are a host of other services including:

Multiple Senior Services Program (MSSP). Offers assistance to frail Medi-Cal eligible seniors.

Linkages Program. As I understand this, the purpose is to identify an elder's needs (or dependent adult between 18-64) and then "link" those needs to every service program that can assist to allow an elder to remain at home for as long as possible. What a fantastic concept.

In re-reviewing OoA's website and its programs and services, I'm a little shocked to discover how little I've utilized them to provide assistance to my clients. I'm usually consumed with the courts and legal issues. But I remember one case, in particular, where I truly believed my client had the mental and physical capacity to remain at home and avoid a nursing home placement, and was able to avoid that through OoA's assistance in conducting a thorough in-home assessment of my client's needs.

My client's son was basically evil, and had set up an irrevocable trust that allowed him to take title of his mother's home if she could no longer reside there. Hence, he was hell-bent to get her removed and placed into a nursing home.