Why Should
I Care About My Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy,
fat-like material create in the blood stream. It is present in all of the
body's tissues. It is produced by the liver and likewise extracted from foods
of animal origin such as meat, chick, fish, eggs and dairy products. Your body use
cholesterol to make crucial body substances such as cell walls, hormones and
vitamin D.
What Is Cholesterol?
While cholesterol is vital
for life, too much of it in your blood can increase your risk for stroke and
heart disease.
Cholesterol move through
your flow in protein / fat (lipoprotein) elements. One type of element, known
as “low-density lipoprotein” (LDL), carries cholesterol to the body. LDLs are
often termed "bad" cholesterol.
An additional type of element,
called high-density lipoprotein (HDLs) supports in the exclusion of cholesterol
from the bloodstream. HDLs are often termed "good" cholesterol. A
high HDL level (greater than 60) is considered to be a defensive factor against
heart sickness.
If you have an surplus
amount of LDL in your bloodstream, waxy panels can build up along your artery
walls, causing arteries to narrow. Over time, arteries may become damaged with
these signs and vulnerable to blood clots. This is called cardiovascular
disease. A blood clot in the heart can cause a heart attack. A blood clot
in the brain can effect or cause stroke.
Triglycerides are the logical
name for the greatest common form of fat, originate in both the body and diets.
Triglycerides attach to lipoprotein elements in the blood. Current studies
indicate that elevated triglycerides are an free risk factor for coronary heart
sickness (CHD). Some triglyceride-rich lipoproteins might cause sign build-up
in the arteries.
Testing Recommendations
The US Protective
Services Task Force and the American College of Doctors endorse checking
cholesterol preliminary at age 35 for males and 45 for females. The US National
Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) endorses that all adults 20 years or older
have a abstaining lipid outline done. A lipid profile contains of total
cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL- cholesterol and triglycerides. Experts endorse
the lipid profile be recurrent every 5 years if usual.
Total cholesterol:
Less than 150 mg/dL =
Desirable
200-239 mg/dL = Borderline high
240 mg/dL and above = High
200-239 mg/dL = Borderline high
240 mg/dL and above = High
LDL cholesterol:
Less than 100 mg/dL =
Optimal
110-139 mg/dL = Near/above optimal
130-159 mg/dL = Borderline high
160-189 mg/dL = High
190 mg/dL and above = Very high
110-139 mg/dL = Near/above optimal
130-159 mg/dL = Borderline high
160-189 mg/dL = High
190 mg/dL and above = Very high
HDL cholesterol:
Below 40 mg/dL =
Suboptimal (Low)
60 mg/dL and above = Optimal (High)
60 mg/dL and above = Optimal (High)
Triglycerides:
Less than 150 mg/dL =
Normal
150-199 mg/dL = Borderline high
200-499 mg/dL = High
500 mg/dL and above = Very high.
150-199 mg/dL = Borderline high
200-499 mg/dL = High
500 mg/dL and above = Very high.
Some factors (such as
family history of heart disease, age or gender) cannot be changed; however you
can make lifestyle variations to aid lower your risk.
Smoking Tobacco
prominently increases the
risk for heart syndrome.
Hypertension
A blood pressure greater
than 130/90 mmHg is careful elevated, surges cardiovascular risk and wants
to be controlled.
Diabetes
increases the risk for heart disease.
Elevated LDL (150 Mg/Dl) And Triglycerides are risk factors for
coronary heart disease;
Lack Of Physical
Activity:
Regular exercise can assistance
to decrease your total cholesterol level and might increase the amount of HDL
in our body. Individuals who exercise
regularly lower their risk for heart disease, even if their lipid levels do not
change.
Excess Body Weight
With each further pound, the body must increase blood volume and
the amount of capillaries to supply the fatty tissue. This means that the heart
must work harder. Losing weight can lessen this strain on the heart. Sustaining
a healthy weight perpetually involves a change in eating habits, exercise
patterns and attitudes.
Diet: A diet rich in cholesterol and submerged fat increases risk of sign
build-up in the inner lining of the blood pots. Eat a healthy diet by following
these endorsements:
- Reduce
intake of saturated fats to 15-20 grams of saturated fat per day (5% or less
of daily calories)
- Decrease
cholesterol intake to 300 mg or minus daily
- Eat
30-40 grams of fiber daily. Fiber is contained in plant foods (fruits,
vegetables, legumes & grains)
- Use
nonfat dairy products
- Eat
less red meat and processed meat
- Eat
two servings weekly of fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids such as
mackerel, halibut and salmon. Omega-3 fatty acids reduce triglycerides and
blood clotting
- Consider
use of sterol and stanol-rich margarines such as Take Benecol® and Control®,
which are FDA approved. Eat 2 grams of these plant chemicals
daily
- Limit
sugary foods and beverages
- Limit
fried foods
Age: Men 45 years & older,
women 55 years & older, are at amplified risk for heart disease.
Family History:
premature coronary heart disease, exactly in
first-degree male relatives less than 55 years, or in first- degree female
relatives less than 65 years, upsurges one's risk for heart disease.
(First-degree relatives are father, mother, and siblings.)
When should drug therapy
be used?
This question should be
discussed and decided with a clinician who knows your total health antiquity.
An valuation of your risk for developing cardiovascular disease can help
determine suitability and the intensity of therapy. Multiple risk factors
or pre-existing conditions (previous heart attack or metabolic syndrome) may
warrant more aggressive or earlier treatment to lower cholesterol levels.
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