Heart disease is one of the world's serious health problems. Most coronary heart disease is due to blockages in the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle. Major studies have found that reducing cholesterol levels in the blood and fat in the diet can prevent heart disease and related deaths.
Cholesterol is a white, fat-like substance. Along with fat it circulates in the blood and builds up in the walls of the arteries and can slow or block the flow of blood. This condition is called atherosclerosis.
Cholesterol is not all bad; it is essential to human life. Cholesterol provides nerve insulation and helps in the manufacture of hormones and Vitamin D. Cholesterol is manufactured naturally by the liver to meet the body's needs; cholesterol that is consumed in foods is unnecessary to your body's proper functioning.
To compensate for the extra cholesterol we consume in foods, the body normally decreases the production of "natural" cholesterol to maintain a balance. However, some people, because of diet, metabolism or, family history, absorb too much cholesterol into their blood and dispose of the "excess" too slowly.
Excess cholesterol and unsaturated fat collects in the linings of blood vessels, forming fatty deposits called plaques. Over time, blood vessels may become clogged, reducing the blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart muscle. Without sufficient oxygen to the heart, this may cause chest pain called "angina", or if the blood supply is cut off, there is heart muscle injury and a "heart attack," possibly resulting in sudden death. Clotting or blockage in the head or neck can result in a "stroke."
Specific particles carry cholesterol through the blood stream. These are called "lipoproteins" (a combination of fat plus protein). Blood cholesterol tests measure the amount of high-density lipoproteins (HDL -- also known as "good" cholesterol) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL --
"bad" cholesterol) present in the blood.
HDL (high-density lipoproteins) -- the good guys -- remove cholesterol from the lining of the arteries and help maintain good blood flow. LDL (low-density lipoproteins) -- the bad guys -- deposit cholesterol in the artery wall by forming plaques. If you have a "high cholesterol" level it usually means there is an excess of LDL in your blood.
A blood cholesterol level of 240 mg/dL or greater is considered "high" blood cholesterol. If your blood cholesterol is 240 mg/dL or greater, you have twice the risk of heart disease of someone with a level of 200 mg/dL and you should see your physician for additional testing.
Any total cholesterol level of 200 mg/dL or more, even in the "borderline-high" category (200-239 mg/dL), increases your risk for heart disease. Levels less than 200 mg/dL put
you at lower risk for heart disease -- however, this does not mean "no" risk.
Additional risk factors for heart disease are high blood pressure and smoking. While each individual risk factor increases the likelihood of developing heart-related problems, the more risk factors you have, the greater the odds of developing heart-related illness. A person with any
two risk factors has four times the risk of someone without any risk factors. If you smoke, have high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol, the risk factor can be eight times as great of developing heart disease than for someone who has none of the risk factors.
Risk Factors for Coronary Heart Disease
* High blood cholesterol
* Cigarette smoking
* High blood pressure
* Obesity
* Diabetes
* Being a male
* Family history of heart disease before the age of 55
* Low HDL-cholesterol (less than 35 mg/dL)
* Circulation disorders of blood vessels to the legs,
arms, and brain
The National Cholesterol Education Program recommends that all adults age 20 and over have their blood cholesterol measured at least once every 5 years. If you do not know your blood cholesterol level, ask your doctor to measure it at your next visit.
Cholesterol measurement requires a blood sample which may be drawn from either a vein in your arm or taken by a fingerprick. If your first measurement is 200 mg/dL or greater, it should be rechecked with a second measurement of blood drawn from your arm. You do not have to fast for this test. If the average of your total cholesterol measurements is either "borderline-high" or "high" your doctor will probably ask you to return for another test.
A second measurement is important because it helps your physician find your "average" level and if a lab error has been made, will bring this to the attention of your physician. This test will show value for your LDL and HDL cholesterol levels and triglycerides. You will have to fast
for 12 hours prior to this test -- you are allowed water or black coffee during the fast.
LDL-Cholesterol Categories
Less than 130 mg/dL = Good or desirable level
130 to 159 mg/dL = Borderline-high risk
160 mg/dL or above = High risk
After evaluating your LDL-cholesterol level and other risk factors your doctor will determine your treatment program. Your doctor may prescribe a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol. However, the higher your LDL-cholesterol level the more intensive the treatment and follow-up visits prescribed by your physician. This is because a higher LDL- cholesterol level increases your risk heart disease.
HDL-cholesterol readings are the reverse of LDL-cholesterol levels -- the lower the HDL level the greater the risk for heart disease. Any HDL-cholesterol level lower than 35 mg/dL is considered low. Quitting smoking, losing weight if you are overweight, and becoming physically active may help raise your HDL-cholesterol level.
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are the form in which fat is carried through your blood to the tissues. The bulk of your body's fat tissue is in the form of triglycerides. Triglyceride levels less than 250 mg/dL are considered normal.
Elevated Cholesterol Levels
Saturated fat raises your blood cholesterol level more than anything else you eat. Foods high in cholesterol or saturated fat are: egg yolks, sausage, kidney, liver, and whole milk products such as butter, cheese, yogurt and ice cream. Red meats are also higher in cholesterol, but the leaner the meat, the lower the cholesterol. In addition, vegetable oils, such as palm, palm kernel, and coconut oil, contain no cholesterol but are high in saturated fat.
Being overweight may also increase your blood cholesterol level. Most overweight people with elevated blood cholesterol levels can help lower their levels by losing weight. Regular physical activity may help control your weight and is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease and lower blood pressure.
Genetic factors affect your blood cholesterol level and can determine how much you can lower your level by diet.
Age and sex also influence blood cholesterol levels. Women's blood cholesterol levels prior to menopause are lower than those of men of the same age. After menopause, however, the cholesterol level of women usually increases to a level higher than that of men. In men, blood cholesterol generally levels off or declines slightly around age 50. Since the risk of coronary heart
disease is especially high in later decades of life, reducing high blood cholesterol is important in the elderly.
Oral contraceptives and pregnancy can increase blood cholesterol levels in some women. For pregnant women, blood cholesterol levels should return to normal 20 weeks after childbirth.
http://www.fauxpress.com/kimball/med/chol.diet.html
Cholesterol is a white, fat-like substance. Along with fat it circulates in the blood and builds up in the walls of the arteries and can slow or block the flow of blood. This condition is called atherosclerosis.
Cholesterol is not all bad; it is essential to human life. Cholesterol provides nerve insulation and helps in the manufacture of hormones and Vitamin D. Cholesterol is manufactured naturally by the liver to meet the body's needs; cholesterol that is consumed in foods is unnecessary to your body's proper functioning.
To compensate for the extra cholesterol we consume in foods, the body normally decreases the production of "natural" cholesterol to maintain a balance. However, some people, because of diet, metabolism or, family history, absorb too much cholesterol into their blood and dispose of the "excess" too slowly.
Excess cholesterol and unsaturated fat collects in the linings of blood vessels, forming fatty deposits called plaques. Over time, blood vessels may become clogged, reducing the blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart muscle. Without sufficient oxygen to the heart, this may cause chest pain called "angina", or if the blood supply is cut off, there is heart muscle injury and a "heart attack," possibly resulting in sudden death. Clotting or blockage in the head or neck can result in a "stroke."
Specific particles carry cholesterol through the blood stream. These are called "lipoproteins" (a combination of fat plus protein). Blood cholesterol tests measure the amount of high-density lipoproteins (HDL -- also known as "good" cholesterol) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL --
"bad" cholesterol) present in the blood.
HDL (high-density lipoproteins) -- the good guys -- remove cholesterol from the lining of the arteries and help maintain good blood flow. LDL (low-density lipoproteins) -- the bad guys -- deposit cholesterol in the artery wall by forming plaques. If you have a "high cholesterol" level it usually means there is an excess of LDL in your blood.
A blood cholesterol level of 240 mg/dL or greater is considered "high" blood cholesterol. If your blood cholesterol is 240 mg/dL or greater, you have twice the risk of heart disease of someone with a level of 200 mg/dL and you should see your physician for additional testing.
Any total cholesterol level of 200 mg/dL or more, even in the "borderline-high" category (200-239 mg/dL), increases your risk for heart disease. Levels less than 200 mg/dL put
you at lower risk for heart disease -- however, this does not mean "no" risk.
Additional risk factors for heart disease are high blood pressure and smoking. While each individual risk factor increases the likelihood of developing heart-related problems, the more risk factors you have, the greater the odds of developing heart-related illness. A person with any
two risk factors has four times the risk of someone without any risk factors. If you smoke, have high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol, the risk factor can be eight times as great of developing heart disease than for someone who has none of the risk factors.
Risk Factors for Coronary Heart Disease
* High blood cholesterol
* Cigarette smoking
* High blood pressure
* Obesity
* Diabetes
* Being a male
* Family history of heart disease before the age of 55
* Low HDL-cholesterol (less than 35 mg/dL)
* Circulation disorders of blood vessels to the legs,
arms, and brain
The National Cholesterol Education Program recommends that all adults age 20 and over have their blood cholesterol measured at least once every 5 years. If you do not know your blood cholesterol level, ask your doctor to measure it at your next visit.
Cholesterol measurement requires a blood sample which may be drawn from either a vein in your arm or taken by a fingerprick. If your first measurement is 200 mg/dL or greater, it should be rechecked with a second measurement of blood drawn from your arm. You do not have to fast for this test. If the average of your total cholesterol measurements is either "borderline-high" or "high" your doctor will probably ask you to return for another test.
A second measurement is important because it helps your physician find your "average" level and if a lab error has been made, will bring this to the attention of your physician. This test will show value for your LDL and HDL cholesterol levels and triglycerides. You will have to fast
for 12 hours prior to this test -- you are allowed water or black coffee during the fast.
LDL-Cholesterol Categories
Less than 130 mg/dL = Good or desirable level
130 to 159 mg/dL = Borderline-high risk
160 mg/dL or above = High risk
After evaluating your LDL-cholesterol level and other risk factors your doctor will determine your treatment program. Your doctor may prescribe a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol. However, the higher your LDL-cholesterol level the more intensive the treatment and follow-up visits prescribed by your physician. This is because a higher LDL- cholesterol level increases your risk heart disease.
HDL-cholesterol readings are the reverse of LDL-cholesterol levels -- the lower the HDL level the greater the risk for heart disease. Any HDL-cholesterol level lower than 35 mg/dL is considered low. Quitting smoking, losing weight if you are overweight, and becoming physically active may help raise your HDL-cholesterol level.
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are the form in which fat is carried through your blood to the tissues. The bulk of your body's fat tissue is in the form of triglycerides. Triglyceride levels less than 250 mg/dL are considered normal.
Elevated Cholesterol Levels
Saturated fat raises your blood cholesterol level more than anything else you eat. Foods high in cholesterol or saturated fat are: egg yolks, sausage, kidney, liver, and whole milk products such as butter, cheese, yogurt and ice cream. Red meats are also higher in cholesterol, but the leaner the meat, the lower the cholesterol. In addition, vegetable oils, such as palm, palm kernel, and coconut oil, contain no cholesterol but are high in saturated fat.
Being overweight may also increase your blood cholesterol level. Most overweight people with elevated blood cholesterol levels can help lower their levels by losing weight. Regular physical activity may help control your weight and is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease and lower blood pressure.
Genetic factors affect your blood cholesterol level and can determine how much you can lower your level by diet.
Age and sex also influence blood cholesterol levels. Women's blood cholesterol levels prior to menopause are lower than those of men of the same age. After menopause, however, the cholesterol level of women usually increases to a level higher than that of men. In men, blood cholesterol generally levels off or declines slightly around age 50. Since the risk of coronary heart
disease is especially high in later decades of life, reducing high blood cholesterol is important in the elderly.
Oral contraceptives and pregnancy can increase blood cholesterol levels in some women. For pregnant women, blood cholesterol levels should return to normal 20 weeks after childbirth.
http://www.fauxpress.com/kimball/med/chol.diet.html
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