Overview: Cholesterol is a lipid that is found in your bloodstream. Your body needs cholesterol to build healthy cells, but high cholesterol levels can increase the risk of heart disease. With high cholesterol, you can build up fatty deposits in your bloodstream. Eventually, these deposits increase, making it harder for enough blood to flow into your arteries. In some cases, those deposits may suddenly break down and form a tumor that causes heart disease or stroke. High cholesterol can be inherited, but it is often the result of choosing an unhealthy, preventable and treatable lifestyle. A healthy diet, regular exercise and sometimes medication can help lower high cholesterol. What are the types of cholesterol? Cholesterol also travels throughout the body and carries lipoproteins in the blood. These lipoproteins include: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is one of the two major lipoproteins. LDL is often referred to as "bad cholesterol." High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is another major lipoprotein. HDL is often referred to as "good cholesterol." Very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) are particles in the blood that carry triglycerides. Symptoms: High cholesterol has no symptoms. A blood test is the only way to find out if you have it. When to see a doctor? According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), the first human cholesterol test should take place between the ages of 9 and 11, and then repeated every five years thereafter. NHLBI recommends that cholesterol testing be done every two to two years for men aged 45 to 65 and for women aged 55 to 65 years. People over the age of 65 should have a cholesterol test every year. If your test results are not within the required range, your doctor may recommend the most common dosages. Your doctor may also recommend regular check-ups if you have a family history of high cholesterol, heart disease or other risk factors, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Causes: Cholesterol is secreted through your bloodstream, which is linked to protein. This combination of protein and cholesterol is called lipoprotein. There are different types of cholesterol, based on what it carries lipoprotein. Of course: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL). LDL, a "bad" cholesterol, transports cholesterol particles throughout your body. LDL cholesterol builds up in the walls of your arteries, making it harder and thinner. High-density lipoprotein (HDL). HDL,”good" cholesterol, picks up excess cholesterol and returns it to your liver. The lipid profile usually measures triglycerides, a type of fat in the blood. Having high triglyceride levels can also increase the risk of heart disease. The things you can control - such as inactivity, obesity and an unhealthy diet - contribute to dangerous cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels. Things beyond your control can play a role, too. For example, your genetic makeup may make it more difficult for your body to remove LDL cholesterol from your bloodstream or break it in your liver. Medical conditions that can cause unhealthy cholesterol levels include: Chronic kidney disease, diabetes, HIV / AIDS, hypothyroidism and lupus. Cholesterol levels can be made worse by certain types of medications that you may be taking for other health problems, such as: Acne, cancer, high blood pressure, HIV / AIDS, unusual heart rhythms and organ transplants. What kind of tests measure cholesterol? Everyone over the age of 20 should have their cholesterol levels at least once every five years. Your healthcare provider will order a blood test that will show how much cholesterol is in your blood. These tests will give you your cholesterol levels. Your provider may also order a so-called lipid panel or lipid profile. The panel gives you the following numbers: Total cholesterol. LDL levels. HDL levels. VLDL levels and triglycerides. Non-HDL cholesterol. The ratio between cholesterol and HDL. There are advanced tests that break the size and shape of LDL cholesterol levels, and provide a number of LDL particles, but those are rarely ordered. Some study providers say that more advanced screening is better at identifying who is at risk for heart disease, but many providers still feel that regular testing is enough. Prevention: Similar changes to a healthy lifestyle that can lower your cholesterol can help you avoid high cholesterol in the first place. To help prevent high cholesterol, you can: Eat low-salt foods that emphasize fruits, vegetables and grains. Reduce animal fat and use good fats in moderation. Lose weight and maintain a healthy weight. Stop smoking. Exercise several days a week for at least 30 minutes. Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all and control the pressure.
You must be logged in to post a comment.