Fighting high cholesterol

Madison Township Fire Department (MTFD) Lt. Steve Roth threw out a pitch during pre-game ceremonies at Cooper Stadium before the match-up between the Columbus Clippers and the Indianapolis Indians on July 24. The MTFD was awarded $1,500 and honored for winning a Heart Healthy Challenge co-sponsored by the National Volunteer Fire Council and represented by major league Hall-of-Famer Jim Palmer, who was in Columbus promoting Minor League Baseball’s Strike Out High Cholesterol: A Program to Help Lower LDL Levels. More than half of American adults have high cholesterol and Palmer is no exception. He told fans approximately 75 percent of naturally occurring cholesterol is largely based on heredity, with 25 percent derived from diet. If left untreated, high LDL levels can elevate the risk for heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular disease. Roth said 50 percent of firefighters across the nation die from heart disease. "As a former athlete, I’ve always done my best to lead a healthy lifestyle. Still I struggle with controlling my high LDL, or bad cholesterol," said Palmer. "I am thrilled to be a part of Strike Out High Cholesterol for a second season. This program allows me to educate people about the importance of understanding the two sources of cholesterol and knowing their family history. This program hits very close to home for me because I was adopted and don’t have the privilege of knowing my biological family’s health history."