Cholesterol, what's the risk? Total cholesterol is a measure of the total amount of cholesterol in your blood and is based on the HDL, LDL, and triglycerides numbers.
The two important types of lipoproteins are low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). At the same time as LDL and HDL are being tested for, another type of fat called triglycerides is often included in the test. There is a NEW research study for people with high cholesterol that evaluates the PCSK9 inhibitor, Bococizumab, in reducing the occurrence of major cardiovascular events.
Take a health questionnaire to see if you qualify!HDL cholesterol absorbs cholesterol and carries it back to the liver, which flushes it from the body. HDL is known as “good” cholesterol because having high levels can reduce the risk for heart disease and stroke. Triglycrides are a type of fat found in your blood that your body uses for energy. The combination of high levels of triglycerides with low HDL cholesterol or high LDL cholesterol can increase your risk for heart attack and stroke.
Cholesterol is a major player in increasing the risk of heart disease and quite a few people do not understand this. Not all cholesterol is bad, it is necessary component for new cells, it acts as an insulator for nerves and helps in the production of hormones. There are two sources of cholesterol, one source is the food you eat, such as meat, eggs and milk. And your liver produces cholesterol as well. Cholesterol is needed to a certain level in your body, but as the level goes past the safe mark it increases your risk for heart disease.
Take a health questionnaire to see if you qualify!As you can see from this number 73.5 million adults (31.7%) in the United States have high low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad,” cholesterol, high cholesterol is a fairly large problem. People with high total cholesterol have approximately twice the risk for heart disease as people with ideal levels.
As the cholesterol builds in your blood it begins to plant itself on the artery walls, untreated this can result in atherosclerosis, called hardening of the arteries. What actually takes place is that the arteries begin to narrow as more and more bad cholesterol is deposited onto them which results in the blood flow going to and coming from the heart muscle slowing down or worse ending up blocked altogether. Oxygen is carried in your blood and moves back and forth into the heart but as cholesterol builds up in your arteries the blood flow is reduced this will eventually result in an uncomfortable feeling in your chest, as the narrowing in your arteries progresses this will turn into pain if the cholesterol is allowed to build up to the point of actually blocking your arteries the result will be a heart attack.
Molecules called lipoproteins carry cholesterol in the blood. Two important kinds of lipoproteins are low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). When checking LDL and HDL, doctors often include another type of fat called triglycerides.
"Total cholesterol is a measure of the total amount of cholesterol in your blood and is based on the HDL, LDL, and triglycerides numbers. LDL cholesterol makes up the majority of the body’s cholesterol. LDL is known as “bad” cholesterol because having high levels can lead to plaque buildup in your arteries and result in heart disease and stroke. HDL cholesterol absorbs cholesterol and carries it back to the liver, which flushes it from the body. HDL is known as “good” cholesterol because having high levels can reduce the risk for heart disease and stroke. Triglycerides are a type of fat found in your blood that your body uses for energy. The combination of high levels of triglycerides with low HDL cholesterol or high LDL cholesterol can increase your risk for heart attack and stroke." http://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/ldl_hdl.htm
There are no symptoms created by having high cholesterol levels, consequently it is necessary to check your cholesterol level. This is done by means of a blood test and will establish what your HDL and also LDL levels are. Monitoring your cholesterol levels is similar to monitoring your blood pressure only the levels are not checked as frequently. Adults beginning at the age of 20 need to have regular tests done to check cholesterol levels. It is recommended that a test be done every years if you have been diagnosed with heart disease, some people will need to have their cholesterol levels checked more frequently. Children and adolescents starting at 9 years and up to 11 years should have their cholesterol checked at least once and then again between the ages of 17 and 21 years.
Take a health questionnaire to see if you qualify!The blood analysis that is used to determine cholesterol levels is known as a lipoprotein profile. Four measurements will be taken on a cholesterol test and these include the total cholesterol level, the LDL "bad" cholesterol, the HDL "good" cholesterol and the triglycerides.
A person whose total cholesterol is less than 200 is at a desirable rate; total cholesterol that is 200 to 239 is borderline high and 240 and over is high. LDL cholesterol that is less than 100 is optimal, while 100 to 129 is near optimal or above optimal and with HDL, the higher the number, the better it is. HDL cholesterol that measures 60 or more is at a desirable rate while less than 400 constitutes a major risk factor. Triglycerides that are less than 150 are at a normal or desirable rate while 150 to 199 is borderline high and 200 or more is high and may necessitate the need for medication in some individuals.
Sources for article http://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/facts.htm http://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/ldl_hdl.htm Learn why I’m talking about Clinical Trials
No comments:
Post a Comment