by Anne Porter
staff editor

Valentine's Day may be known for candy, roses, cards, and lover's rendezvous. University Health Services is adding a new dimension to this holiday with "Be Heart Smart," an event with reduced fees for cholesterol testing so that lovers can take care of a certain physical body organ so that they will remain healthy for future Valentine's Days.

Amy Schoenberger, a registered nurse and health educator with University Health Services, began this cholesterol testing event last year on Valentine's Day.

"I'd like to stress [cholesterol testing is for] the younger and not necessarily just the older generation. People tend to think that cholesterol is something that [is] checked as [someone] gets older or that older people have to worry about and younger [people] don't," Schoenberger said.

One case last year that Schoenberger remembered was that of a 21 year old male, who appeared healthy, but had an enormously high cholesterol level.

Factors that make a particular individual more prone to excessive blood cholesterol include heredity, obesity and a stressful lifestyle.

"[Obesity] does not necessarily mean 100 pounds overweight. It can be just 40 or 50 pounds," Schoenberger said.

High-stress lifestyles involve little or no exercise and no time for oneself or relaxation.

"Walk or get some sort of exercise, something to lower the fat content. These kids are starting these lifestyles now and by the time they're 30 or 40 they will be having problems like heart disease," Schoenberger said.

Stephen R. Yarnall, a medical doctor and a fellow of the American College of Cardiology, recommends other methods to lower the cholesterol level such as quitting smoking, eating more fiber and drinking in moderation.

Alcohol causes the liver to produce excessive triglycerides levels which in turn add to the low density lipoproteins, or LDL, which are the unhealthy type of cholesterol.

There are two different types of cholesterol, LDL and HDL, or high-density lipoprotein. HDL provides the benefit of removing LDL from the heart and the arteries.

Atherosclerosis, or the process that deposits excess LDL, causes build up in the walls of arteries leading to the heart, brain and legs. This LDL residue narrows the interior channel of the artery. If a blood clot forms with this condition it can cause a stroke, heart attack or gangrene in the feet and legs.

Schoenberger suggests cutting excess fat from the diet in such ways as going from whole milk to skim milk.

"Everybody is allowed a little bit of fat in moderation. Eat in smaller portions and treat [high-fat foods] as a treat and something not [eaten] everyday," Schoenberger said.

Schoenberger offers the insight that if your cholesterol level is normal, you only need to have it checked every five years. If it is not so low you should have it tested more often.

The National Cholesterol Education Program also suggests cooking food because it is easier to cut out fat by using egg yolks instead of eggs and milk instead of cream.

University Health Services uses the whole blood test which measures both HDL and LDL.

It is not able to separate the two different types.

For those with high levels, Schoenberger follows up by calling to see if the tester made a doctor's appointment. If someone does not have a doctor, University Health Services will recommend one.

"The thing we want to do is catch people now when they're young and it's not a problem. Last semester, there were quite a few people who had no idea they had a high cholesterol problem. They were thankful because that was something to be aware of," Schoenberger said.

The test costs $4 at this "Be Heart Smart" event and $8 any other time of the year.

Locations for the test include the University Center on Feb. 14 beginning at 10:30 a.m. and ending at 1 p.m. and at the Evening College in Lucas Hall, third floor on Feb. 15 from 4 to 6 p.m.

For more information call, Schoenberger at (314) 516-5671.