LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Although we don't tend to think of cholesterol as something positive, cholesterol is vital to life. Cholesterol is found in cell membranes and among its many functions, cholesterol aids in the production of bile, which helps digest fat, and is involved with the synthesis of vitamin D and steroid hormones. Cholesterol is manufactured in the body and is also acquired through the foods we eat.
While cholesterol is vital to one's health, when blood cholesterol levels get too high, it becomes a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
The first step in making sure your cholesterol level is normal is to have your blood cholesterol checked. The national guidelines for an optimal total blood cholesterol reading is less than 200 milligrams per deciliter of blood, or mg/dl; 200-239 mg/dl is considered borderline high and 240 mg/dl and higher is consider "high" cholesterol.
Some keys to having optimal blood cholesterol levels include eatingt a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol and high in fiber, exercising regularly and being tobacco-free.
September is National Cholesterol Education Month and the perfect time to become aware of the many events and classes offered on base to help promote and maintain optimal cholesterol levels.
The pharmacy clinic evaluates and treats patients with high cholesterol four days a week. Using a group medical appointment format to improve access and convenience to quality health care, the clinic operates in the main lobby of the hospital every Tuesday and Thursday from 2 to 3:30 p.m, where scheduled appointments and walk-ins are available for active-duty patients.
The 1st Fighter Wing Clinic at NASA offers the same service to family members and retirees Monday and Wednesdays from 2 to 3:30 p.m. During appointments, providers review lab results, assess cardiovascular risk, provide educational DVDs and prescribe medications when needed.
To date, the clinic has helped more than 700 active-duty patients with high cholesterol.
The Langley Health and Wellness Center also offers a variety of classes which help promote and maintain optimal cholesterol levels, including:
Cardiovascular wellness - An educational class which focuses on managing cholesterol levels and hypertension through nutrition, exercise, behavior modification and medication. The class is offered the second Tuesday of every month from 8 to 11 a.m.
Step into Exercise - A monitored exercise program designed for high-risk individuals (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity). One must have medical clearance before joining the class. The class is offered every Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 to 10 a.m.
Tobacco Cessation - These classes are offered once a week from noon to 1 p.m. and from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. These three-week interactive classes offer the education and support people needed to quit using tobacco.
Commissary tours -offered monthly by a registered dietician, these tours help individuals learn how to make healthy food choices, read food labels and gain new ideas for nutritious meals.
For more information on any of the classes, call the HAWC at 764-6321.