Cholesterol
Why It Is Important To Lower Your Cholesterol Levels
Cholesterol, a waxy substance found in the blood is typically used by the body to build healthy cells. However, when the cholesterol levels are very high, fatty deposits develop in the blood vessels. The buildup of fatty deposits obstructs the flow of blood through the arteries to the heart and brain, which increases the risk of a heart attack or a stroke.
Symptoms of High Cholesterol
Unfortunately, there are no symptoms of high cholesterol and most people are unaware that their cholesterol levels are too high until they suffer a heart attack or they suffer a stroke.
If you are 20 years and above, it is important that you check your cholesterol levels every 5 years to ensure that it is normal. We care for your health at Trinity Primary Care. Call us today and we will set up a cholesterol screening appointment as soon as possible.
What are the Risk Factors for High Cholesterol
You are more likely to have a higher level of cholesterol if any of these risk factors are present:
• Family History of High Cholesterol: Your odds of having high cholesterol are higher if a parent or sibling suffered from some type of heart disease before the age of 55.
• Obesity: Having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more puts you at a higher risk for high cholesterol
• Smoking: Smoking does two-fold damage. It lowers the HDL ( good cholesterol) levels in the body and it also damages the walls of the blood vessels, making them more prone to accumulating fatty deposits.
• Unhealthy Diet: A diet that includes high cholesterol foods such as red meats and full-fat dairy products is also instrumental in raising cholesterol levels.
• Insufficient Exercise: Exercise lowers LDL or bad cholesterol levels while boosting HDL or good cholesterol.
• High Blood Pressure: The excessive pressure damages the artery walls, which accelerates the accumulation of fatty deposits.
• Diabetes: High blood sugar damages the artery linings and contributes to higher LDL cholesterol.
High Cholesterol & Its Relation to Heart Disease, Stroke, High Blood Pressure & Peripheral Vascular Disease
High cholesterol levels increases the risk of developing other health conditions, depending upon which blood vessels are obstructed or narrowed. These diseases could include:
• Coronary Heart Disease: Cholesterol buildup in the arteries causes the artery walls to harden and become narrowed. This obstructs the blood flow to the heart, resulting in angina or heart attack.
• Stroke: If the blood vessel supplying blood to the brain gets hardened and blocked, blood supply to part of the brain gets interrupted, causing a stroke.
• High Blood Pressure: The heart has to strain much harder to pump blood through arteries that are hardened and narrowed down due to cholesterol buildup. This results in a n increase in blood pressure, which is also linked to heart disease.
• Peripheral Vascular Disease: When fatty deposits build up along the walls of the arteries that are outside the heart and brain, they affect blood circulation mainly in those arteries leading to the legs and feet.
How To Treat High Cholesterol
Lifestyle changes, which include regular exercise, a healthy diet and giving up smoking are the key to maintaining normal cholesterol levels. Sometimes however, this is not enough and the doctor may recommend medication for lowering cholesterol. The specific medications vary depending on several factors including age, current health and the individual health factors.
Cholesterol
Why It Is Important To Lower Your Cholesterol Levels
Cholesterol, a waxy substance found in the blood is typically used by the body to build healthy cells. However, when the cholesterol levels are very high, fatty deposits develop in the blood vessels. The buildup of fatty deposits obstructs the flow of blood through the arteries to the heart and brain, which increases the risk of a heart attack or a stroke.
Symptoms of High Cholesterol
Unfortunately, there are no symptoms of high cholesterol and most people are unaware that their cholesterol levels are too high until they suffer a heart attack or they suffer a stroke.
If you are 20 years and above, it is important that you check your cholesterol levels every 5 years to ensure that it is normal. We care for your health at Trinity Primary Care. Call us today and we will set up a cholesterol screening appointment as soon as possible.
What are the Risk Factors for High Cholesterol
You are more likely to have a higher level of cholesterol if any of these risk factors are present:
• Family History of High Cholesterol: Your odds of having high cholesterol are higher if a parent or sibling suffered from some type of heart disease before the age of 55.
• Obesity: Having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more puts you at a higher risk for high cholesterol
• Smoking: Smoking does two-fold damage. It lowers the HDL ( good cholesterol) levels in the body and it also damages the walls of the blood vessels, making them more prone to accumulating fatty deposits.
• Unhealthy Diet: A diet that includes high cholesterol foods such as red meats and full-fat dairy products is also instrumental in raising cholesterol levels.
• Insufficient Exercise: Exercise lowers LDL or bad cholesterol levels while boosting HDL or good cholesterol.
• High Blood Pressure: The excessive pressure damages the artery walls, which accelerates the accumulation of fatty deposits.
• Diabetes: High blood sugar damages the artery linings and contributes to higher LDL cholesterol.
High Cholesterol & Its Relation to Heart Disease, Stroke, High Blood Pressure & Peripheral Vascular Disease
High cholesterol levels increases the risk of developing other health conditions, depending upon which blood vessels are obstructed or narrowed. These diseases could include:
• Coronary Heart Disease: Cholesterol buildup in the arteries causes the artery walls to harden and become narrowed. This obstructs the blood flow to the heart, resulting in angina or heart attack.
• Stroke: If the blood vessel supplying blood to the brain gets hardened and blocked, blood supply to part of the brain gets interrupted, causing a stroke.
• High Blood Pressure: The heart has to strain much harder to pump blood through arteries that are hardened and narrowed down due to cholesterol buildup. This results in a n increase in blood pressure, which is also linked to heart disease.
• Peripheral Vascular Disease: When fatty deposits build up along the walls of the arteries that are outside the heart and brain, they affect blood circulation mainly in those arteries leading to the legs and feet.
How To Treat High Cholesterol
Lifestyle changes, which include regular exercise, a healthy diet and giving up smoking are the key to maintaining normal cholesterol levels. Sometimes however, this is not enough and the doctor may recommend medication for lowering cholesterol. The specific medications vary depending on several factors including age, current health and the individual health factors.