For Your Health

(NAPSI)—High cholesterol is a known risk factor for heart disease and stroke and is estimated to cause nearly 2.6 million deaths annually. Yet, a survey from the American Heart Association shows that nearly two-thirds of people who have high cholesterol don’t think they’re at high risk for a heart attack or stroke.

“My Cholesterol Guide” is a new, online tool that provides information, practical tips and downloadable resources to help the more than 94.6 million Americans living with high cholesterol. The guide is the latest offering from the American Heart Association, the world’s leading voluntary health organization devoted to fighting cardiovascular disease and stroke.

What it is.

Cholesterol is a waxy, fatlike substance found in all cells of the body. Elevated levels of blood cholesterol can create blockages in the arteries and is one of the major controllable risk factors for coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke.

“People with high cholesterol usually don’t have symptoms, so unless you get tested, you may not realize you need treatment,” said Ann Marie Navar, M.D., Ph.D., a volunteer member of the Association’s Cholesterol Advisory Committee and an Assistant Professor of Cardiology at the Duke Clinical Research Institute in Durham, N.C. “Even though we have a lot of evidence about the benefits and safety of cholesterol-lowering treatment, the challenge is that cholesterol remains underdiagnosed and subsequently undertreated.”

What to do.

The best way to manage high cholesterol is a multipronged approach, including diet, exercise and medication if cholesterol levels remain elevated, she said.

The challenge is that many people don’t recognize their risk due to some of the following misconceptions about cholesterol.

Myths and Facts

Myth 1 – High cholesterol isn’t a concern for children.

High cholesterol can be hereditary. Familial hypercholesterolemia is a genetic disorder that can cause early heart disease. If someone is diagnosed with extremely high cholesterol or familial hypercholesterolemia, it’s important that all family members get tested, including young adults and children, so that treatment isn’t delayed, Navar said.

Myth 2 – You don’t need a cholesterol check until you’re middle-aged.

Getting your cholesterol checked starting at age 20 and talking with your health provider to ensure you understand what it means is crucial because getting treated early can play an important role in reducing the risk of heart disease.

“For every decade your cholesterol is high in your 30s and 40s, you increase your risk for heart disease by more than 30 percent,” Navar said.

Myth 3 – Thin people don’t have high cholesterol.

Overweight people are more likely to have high cholesterol, but even people who maintain a healthy weight and regular exercise can have high cholesterol.

“Since genetics does play such an important role, some people may be doing everything right and still have high cholesterol,” she said.

Myth 4 – If the nutrition label shows no cholesterol, a food is “heart healthy.”

Nutrition labels can be helpful, but you should read beyond the amount of cholesterol a food contains.

“It’s important to look for saturated fats, trans fats and added sugars because these all affect our heart health and cholesterol levels,” Navar said.

Myth 5 – Only people with “high” cholesterol need medicine to lower their cholesterol.

“Even people whose cholesterol falls within what we would call ‘normal’ range can benefit from having cholesterol-lowering medication if they have other risks for heart disease or stroke,” Navar said. “Beyond just your cholesterol numbers, knowing your overall risk of heart disease can help determine if you need to be on treatment.”

Where to learn more

The American Heart Association’s Check.Change.Control.Cholesterol initiative, supported by Sanofi and Regeneron, has information and resources for identifying and managing your cholesterol and other cardiovascular risk factors. Visit www.heart.org/cholesterol for further facts, and www.heart.org/MyCholesterolGuide to download the free guide.

For Your Health

(NAPSI)—Many people dis-miss leg pain as a normal sign of aging. But for 8.5 million Americans, the cause of their pain can be a life- or limb-threatening condition called peripheral artery disease (PAD). Everyone, especially those at highest risk, should know the signs of PAD and know how to prevent and treat it. With new drugs on the horizon, health plan coverage for exercise therapy, improvements in procedures to treat advanced disease, and new treatment guidelines for health care providers, there are now more tools than ever to combat this disease. Unfortunately, the disease often goes undetected and untreated although it’s more common than atrial fibrillation and heart failure.

What is PAD?

PAD happens when fatty deposits build up in arteries in the legs and feet. The condition is often undiagnosed, yet ignoring the signs of PAD is dangerous. Not only does it increase your risk for heart attack and stroke, these blockages can restrict circulation to the legs and feet. Left untreated, PAD can end in amputation. Cigarette smokers have the highest risk—so high, in fact, that PAD screening should be routine in smokers. People with diabetes and those with cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pres-sure, obesity or physical inactivity are also at risk.

What can I do about it?

Simple measures can catch PAD before it’s too late. You can manage or reverse it with proper care. If you have risk factors, take your socks off at the doctor’s office. Your socks and shoes cover up many of the signs of this crippling disease:

• Leg Pain: The most common symptom of peripheral artery disease in the legs is painful muscle cramping in the hips, thighs or calves when walking, climbing stairs or exercising. The pain often goes away after a few minutes of resting. This type of pain is called intermittent claudication. Thanks to a recent ruling, it’s easier for people to keep PAD from getting worse. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services now covers supervised exercise therapy for people with intermittent claudication. You may be eligible for up to 36 sessions during a 12-week period with an optional second round of treatment. Ask your doctor if this therapy is available to you.
• Skin problems or discoloration on your legs and feet: Be aware of redness or other color changes in the skin on your legs and feet. Temperature changes may also be noticeable—your feet will feel cooler than other parts of your leg.
• Leg or foot wounds that are slow to heal: If cuts or other wounds on your feet or toes aren’t improving after a couple of weeks, you should ask about PAD.
• Poor nail growth: Slow-growing or thickened toenails can be a sign of reduced blood flow to the legs and feet.

Even if you aren’t having symptoms, if you have risk factors, you should be screened regularly. Early detection and treatment are key. Speak to your doctor about any problems you’re having with your legs and feet.

Learn More

For more information about PAD management, visit the American Heart Association at www.heart.org/PAD.

(NAPSI)—Class is back in session, which reunites friends after a summer apart and kicks off the football season. Back-to-school can also be a time of nostalgia for those who have already graduated, but staying connected to your alma mater doesn’t have to be a challenge. Whether it’s football season, basketball season or all year long, here are four fun ways to show your school pride:

1. Join sporting events and alumni meetups. Plan a trip to your old stomping grounds for homecoming week. During the sports season, attend a game and cheer on your favorite team with fellow graduates. If campus is too far away for a visit, try catching an away game closer to home or root for your team at a local sports bar. Team Bar Finder (www.teambarfinder.com) can be a great resource to find one nearby. Many schools also have alumni meetups across the country. Check with your alumni association to see when networking meetups, watch parties and other gatherings are happening.

2. Start giving back. Show your support by donating time or money to your alma mater. Every donation helps your school become more successful and expand the pool of students and future alumni. Volunteer your time to mentor the next generation of alumni and pass down the traditions that make your school unique.

3. Stay connected on social media. Follow your college on all its social channels to stay up to date on campus news, find nearby events and connect with fellow alumni. Showcase your campus pride for the whole world to see and add your school’s logo to your profile picture, include a mention in your bio, or join an online group to share your school spirit with other die-hard fans. You never know whom you will meet online as a result.

4. Deck out your home with school decor. Showing support for your alma mater doesn’t have to be limited to your garage or man cave. Display your diploma with pride in your home office or decorate the game room to match. You can even incorporate your school spirit into your home gym with a limited edition collegiate-branded Bowflex Max Trainer M5 (http://www.bowflex.com/max-trainer/college-max.html). It combines the movements of an elliptical and stair stepper for a one-of-a-kind cardio workout. Cheer on your favorite team while completing the 14-minute interval workout and burn up to 2.5 times the calories as compared to a traditional cardio machine.

Just as your college years helped tone your mind, your college-branded Max Trainer can help you tone your muscles to achieve a healthy body to match.