Ten Cholesterol Lowering Food Tips Cholesterol lowering food in combination with a healthy fit lifestyle has been proven over and over again to be one of the most effective ways of lowering cholesterol naturally. More people than ever before have high cholesterol even with ... Cholesterol Prescription Medications Can Kill You While there are numerous options for people to lower cholesterol naturally, thousands and thousands of people are taking prescription medication to lower cholesterol – risking some very dangerous side effects.These side effects can include:• An increase ... Cholesterol...what is it? We are being made more aware each and everyday of the possible problems that can be caused by cholesterol, it seems that cholesterol is a medical symptom of our modern day way of life.But what is cholesterol and how can it affect our general state of ...
Why High Blood Cholesterol Levels Are Dangerous
Cholesterol, like fat, cannot move around the bloodstream on its own because it does not mix with water. The bloodstream carries cholesterol in particles called lipoproteins that are like blood-borne cargo trucks delivering cholesterol to various body tissues to be used, stored or excreted. But too much of this circulating cholesterol can injure arteries, especially the coronary ones that supply the heart. This leads to accumulation of cholesterol-laden “plaque” in vessel linings, a condition called atherosclerosis.
When blood flow to the heart is impeded, the heart muscle becomes starved for oxygen, causing chest pain (angina). If a blood clot completely obstructs a coronary artery affected by atherosclerosis, a heart attack (myocardial infarction) or death can occur.
Are you at risk? Cardiovascular disease is still one of the greatest health problem affecting western countries. According to the American Heart Foundation, over 70 million Americans have cardiovascular disease (CVD). The national cost of is nearly $400 billion and every 45 seconds an American has a stoke.
Certain risk factors increase your chances of developing cardiovascular disease.
Overweight
High blood cholesterol
Insufficient physical activity
High blood pressure
Smoking
Excessive alcohol intake
Diabetes
Many people have multiple risk factors for heart disease and the level of risk increases with the number of risk factors. By reducing these risk factors you can largely prevent the onset of cardiovascular disease. On its own elevated blood cholesterol is not necessarily a problem, but coupled with one or more other risk factors for heart disease, it is often the straw that breaks the camel’s back.
It is, therefore, very important to know what your cholesterol levels are and to keep them at a healthy level before you have any problems.
High risk cholesterol If your total cholesterol level is 240 or more, it's definitely high. You have a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. In fact, you should have your LDL and HDL cholesterol tested. Ask your doctor for advice. Close to 20 percent of the U.S. population has high blood cholesterol levels.
Borderline-high risk People whose total cholesterol is 200 to 239 mg/dL have borderline-high cholesterol. About a third of American adults are in this group, while almost half of adults have total cholesterol levels below 200 mg/dL. In fact, people who have a total cholesterol of 240 mg/dL have twice the risk of coronary heart disease as people whose cholesterol level is 200 mg/dL. Does physical activity affect cholesterol?
Other factors that affect blood cholesterol levels:
Heredity – High cholesterol often runs in families. Even though specific genetic causes have been identified in only a minority of cases, genes still play a role in influencing blood cholesterol levels. If your parents have high cholesterol, you need to be tested to see if your cholesterol levels are also elevated.
Age and gender – Before menopause, women tend to have total cholesterol levels lower than men at the same age. Cholesterol levels naturally rise as men and women age. Menopause is often associated with increases in LDL cholesterol in women.
Stress – Studies have not shown stress to be directly inked to cholesterol levels. But experts say that because people sometimes eat fatty foods to console themselves when under stress, this can cause higher blood cholesterol.
Excess weight – Being overweight tends to increase blood cholesterol levels. Losing weight has been shown to help lower levels. A greater risk of increased cholesterol levels occurs when that extra weight is centered in the abdominal region, as opposed to the legs or buttocks.
About the Author Kim Beardsmore is a weight loss consultant whose business operates across 60 countries. This world renowned, medically approved program will give you results you'll love and all the support you need! Estimate your body fat percentage and register for a free phone consultation at http://leanmachine.org/?refid=chlstrl-33235
Written By: Kim Beardsmore
Cholesterol News
FDA Review Results in Supported Use of Vytorin - Redorbit.com The US Food and Drug Administration on Thursday backed the cholesterol-lowering drug Vytorin following a review lasting almost one year. Agency officials said patients should not stop taking Vytorin or other drugs in its class, noting they observed ...
Synthetic HDL: A new weapon to fight cholesterol problems - EurekAlert EVANSTON, Ill. --- Buttery Christmas cookies, eggnog, juicy beef roast, rich gravy and creamy New York-style cheesecake. Happy holiday food unfortunately can send blood cholesterol levels sky high. Northwestern University scientists now offer a ...
FDA gives green light for new cholesterol drug Vytorin - Overthelimit.info Washington (OTL) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has officially announced their support of the cholesterol drug Vytorin. The regulators have been working to look over a review of a trial involving the controversial cholesterol drug ...
Willpower is missing component in journey to better health - My West Texas OK, so in my last article I mentioned that I'm on the downhill stretch. There's just over a month left until TD (test day), which means it's time to take inventory and gear up. During the past 4 1/2 months, I've talked about the importance of diet ...
FDA backs Vytorin after finishing study review - KIMA TV TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - The Food and Drug Administration said Thursday patients should not stop taking Vytorin or other cholesterol-lowering drugs, based on its just-completed review of a controversial study that hammered Vytorin sales. A statement from ...
YOUR HEALTH - Kilgore News Herald DEAR DR. DONOHUE: A little while back you wrote about rosacea. I believe I have it. I had thought that my teenage acne had come back on me. I am 35. Would you elaborate on it? My cheeks and nose are red, and there are pimples there. Is this rosacea ...
