In an effort to do just that, the American medical establishment is calling for a much more aggressive approach to controlling cholesterol, one of the leading causes of heart disease. Correspondent K.P. Foley has that and other news in this week's Health Report. An expert panel is urging U.S. physicians to more aggressively prevent and treat high cholesterol in adults to control heart disease. This is the first major revision of the guidelines in a decade. The expert panel reviewed all of the evidence, including the recent evidence, and found that the risk for heart attack among millions of Americans is really much higher than had previously been recognized.
Cholesterol is a naturally occurring in the liver.
It is necessary for cell growth and other functions. However, heart specialists say that too much cholesterol in the blood is a prime cause of coronary heart disease. Eating too much fat, particularly animal fat, and physical inactivity bring about high blood levels of the LDL cholesterol. Cleeman says many men and women can benefit from this type of therapy. He also said this type of treatment can have significant benefits.