The topic of cholesterol can be confusing to many people and misinformation surrounding the cause and perception of high cholesterol simply adds to the confusion. In order to better understand how cholesterol can be harmful or beneficial, what it does and how it affects the health will enable a better view of how normal cholesterol levels can be achieved.
Cholesterol is not something than uses different normal cholesterol levels for different people with varied lifestyles of weight. There are two types of cholesterol, HDL, high density lipids is considered to be good and LDL, low density lipids is called bad cholesterol and is the focus placed on many factors affecting heart health. LDL, if above what is considered normal cholesterol levels, can cause excessive clotting leading to heart attack and stroke while making the blood thicker and more difficult to circulate.
The HDL, if below normal cholesterol levels, can also cause problems if the blood cannot flow smoothly. Achieving a balance between the two normal cholesterol levels, coupled with the triglycerides in the blood will help maintain a healthy coronary system. There are different methods available to reach the recommended levels and in many cases eating a healthy diet and exercise will accomplish the goals.
Finding Balance In Cholesterol Levels
Having an LDL level of 100 or less is considered ideal. Cholesterol is measured by milligrams per deciliter in the blood. A reading of 139 to 159 is considered borderline and above 160 is considered having above normal cholesterol levels reaching a dangerous level. For HDL, normal cholesterol levels are between 50 and 60. Someone with numbers 50 for good cholesterol can normally achieve a better level through exercising 30 to 60 minutes every three or four days.
Factoring into the normal cholesterol levels is the amount of fat, triglycerides also in the blood. Normal is less than 150 mg/dl with 200 to 499 being considered high. Anything over 500 is considered a very high and dangerous level. A combination of high LDL and low HDL along with high triglycerides can create a deadly combination.
When diet and exercise fails to return normal cholesterol levels to a healthy level, medical intervention may be needed to bring down the levels of bad cholesterol, coupled with an exercise regiment to increase the good cholesterol level. Typically, prescription medication will be used to reduce the triglyceride level in the blood as well. The doctor will work with the patient to make sure all normal cholesterol levels can be achieved for better heart health.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Symptoms Of High Cholesterol Are Rarely Noticed
High cholesterol does not make you feel sick. It is usually found during a routine
cholesterol and triglycerides test, which is a blood test that measures cholesterol level. Blood cholesterol levels in both men and women begin to go up around age 20s.
Introduction of Symptoms Of High Cholesterol
Cholesterol is an essential component of cell membranes and is needed for many bodily functions, such as the production of hormones. It is produced when foods containing oil and fat are digested. It is also produced in the liver. Cholesterol in the blood is found in two types of particles. The cholesterol in low-density lipoproteins (LDL) is known as the ‘bad’ cholesterol because it contributes to heart disease by ‘sticking’ to and narrowing the arteries supplying the heart. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is known as the ‘good’ cholesterol because it keeps LDL levels in checkauses Of High Cholesterol.
Signs And Symptoms Of High Cholesterol
Symptoms of high cholesterol usually are rare. Even if you have no symptoms, it is still possible that you can still be sick. High cholesterol typically has no noticeable symptoms what so ever. Symptoms of high cholesterol are usually found by routine blood test and rarely give any noticeable warning signs. Very high cholesterol lead to skin changes There may have other distinct symptoms such as deposits of excess cholesterol that collect in the skin or eyelid tissue. These cholesterol deposits can also cause nodules in tendons in the hands or feet or, rarely, yellow streaks in the hands.
Causes Of Symptoms Of High Cholesterol
The tendency to build up symptoms of high cholesterol may run in your family but excessively high levels are usually the result of a poor diet high in saturated fats and calories, combined with little or no exercise. Elevated cholesterol levels in the body as such do not produce any major symptoms or signs, but leads to the development of serious disorders such as heart disease, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease and more.
Blockage of the coronary arteries in the heart by cholesterol deposition leads to coronary insufficiency, called ischaemia (decreased oxygen supply to the muscles of the heart), and this can eventually result in myocardial infarction (heart attack). Very high levels of cholesterol lead to skin changes like xanthelesma near the eyes. Cholesterol deposits can also cause nodules in tendons and in the hands, feet, or rarely yellow streaks in the hands.
Since, there virtually no symptoms for high cholesterol then it is hard to know when to see your doctor. If your cholesterol is severe, the only way to know is to have regular blood work checked and to take preventive steps to avoid the complications of high cholesterol.
cholesterol and triglycerides test, which is a blood test that measures cholesterol level. Blood cholesterol levels in both men and women begin to go up around age 20s.
Introduction of Symptoms Of High Cholesterol
Cholesterol is an essential component of cell membranes and is needed for many bodily functions, such as the production of hormones. It is produced when foods containing oil and fat are digested. It is also produced in the liver. Cholesterol in the blood is found in two types of particles. The cholesterol in low-density lipoproteins (LDL) is known as the ‘bad’ cholesterol because it contributes to heart disease by ‘sticking’ to and narrowing the arteries supplying the heart. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is known as the ‘good’ cholesterol because it keeps LDL levels in checkauses Of High Cholesterol.
Signs And Symptoms Of High Cholesterol
Symptoms of high cholesterol usually are rare. Even if you have no symptoms, it is still possible that you can still be sick. High cholesterol typically has no noticeable symptoms what so ever. Symptoms of high cholesterol are usually found by routine blood test and rarely give any noticeable warning signs. Very high cholesterol lead to skin changes There may have other distinct symptoms such as deposits of excess cholesterol that collect in the skin or eyelid tissue. These cholesterol deposits can also cause nodules in tendons in the hands or feet or, rarely, yellow streaks in the hands.
Causes Of Symptoms Of High Cholesterol
The tendency to build up symptoms of high cholesterol may run in your family but excessively high levels are usually the result of a poor diet high in saturated fats and calories, combined with little or no exercise. Elevated cholesterol levels in the body as such do not produce any major symptoms or signs, but leads to the development of serious disorders such as heart disease, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease and more.
Blockage of the coronary arteries in the heart by cholesterol deposition leads to coronary insufficiency, called ischaemia (decreased oxygen supply to the muscles of the heart), and this can eventually result in myocardial infarction (heart attack). Very high levels of cholesterol lead to skin changes like xanthelesma near the eyes. Cholesterol deposits can also cause nodules in tendons and in the hands, feet, or rarely yellow streaks in the hands.
Since, there virtually no symptoms for high cholesterol then it is hard to know when to see your doctor. If your cholesterol is severe, the only way to know is to have regular blood work checked and to take preventive steps to avoid the complications of high cholesterol.
Natural Ways Of Reducing Cholesterol Levels
When you reach a certain age, many medical professionals suggest that individual undergo a yearly medical checkup. Often a thorough medical exam includes a physical examination, the possibility of a colonoscopy, an EKG, chest x-ray, etc. In addition, a number of blood tests are ordered as well by the physician.
As part of the blood test the levels of the individual’s cholesterol is checked as well. Within this specific area of testing the HDL and LDL cholesterol levels are evaluated. It is important to note that when checking the levels of cholesterol within the bloodstream the HDL or good cholesterol does not need to be reduced, but increased.
Therefore, when talking about reducing cholesterol levels, the medical community is talking about the LDL cholesterol or the bad cholesterol. When talking about reducing cholesterol levels, it is important to understand why LDL levels of cholesterol need to be reduced and ways that this can be accomplished.
Why Reducing Cholesterol Levels Is Important
LDL cholesterol is that type of cholesterol that is fatty in texture. Because of this texture the blending of LDL cholesterol with proteins found in the bloodstream can be best illustrated as the attempt to mix water with oil. Obviously, water and oil do not mix.
Therefore, when the LDL cholesterol is in the bloodstream it does not transport properly through the arterial system. This in turn may cause the LDL cholesterol to attach itself to the interior walls of the arteries. Eventually, if this is allowed to happen, there is a buildup of cholesterol which creates a blockage of the blood within the artery. This dangerous situation may cause coronary heart disease, strokes or heart attacks.
Natural Ways Of Reducing Cholesterol Levels
There are two specific natural ways of reducing cholesterol levels within the individual. One of the best ways to reduce the LDL level is through a proper diet.
Therefore, it is important that the individual who is wishing to reduce cholesterol levels within their bloodstream refrain from eating excessive amounts of red meat, lamb or other animal products. These animal products can include cream cheese, cheeses, butter, eggs or other items high in cholesterol.
Not only should the individual refrain from eating these products, but they should become more educated consumers. This education can be accomplished by reading the nutritional labels found on food packaging. When reading these labels it is important to refrain from eating foods that have high amounts of cholesterol, saturated fat or fats contained within the food product. Generally, food labels disclose what the cholesterol content is of these items per serving.
Another natural way of reducing cholesterol levels is through exercise. It is highly recommended that an individual engage in any exercise program that can be labeled as a cardiovascular activity. Some of these activities can include swimming, jogging, walking, etc. Any exercise that will elevate the heart beat of an individual to a certain level depending upon their age and physical condition can be considered a cardiovascular activity.
As part of the blood test the levels of the individual’s cholesterol is checked as well. Within this specific area of testing the HDL and LDL cholesterol levels are evaluated. It is important to note that when checking the levels of cholesterol within the bloodstream the HDL or good cholesterol does not need to be reduced, but increased.
Therefore, when talking about reducing cholesterol levels, the medical community is talking about the LDL cholesterol or the bad cholesterol. When talking about reducing cholesterol levels, it is important to understand why LDL levels of cholesterol need to be reduced and ways that this can be accomplished.
Why Reducing Cholesterol Levels Is Important
LDL cholesterol is that type of cholesterol that is fatty in texture. Because of this texture the blending of LDL cholesterol with proteins found in the bloodstream can be best illustrated as the attempt to mix water with oil. Obviously, water and oil do not mix.
Therefore, when the LDL cholesterol is in the bloodstream it does not transport properly through the arterial system. This in turn may cause the LDL cholesterol to attach itself to the interior walls of the arteries. Eventually, if this is allowed to happen, there is a buildup of cholesterol which creates a blockage of the blood within the artery. This dangerous situation may cause coronary heart disease, strokes or heart attacks.
Natural Ways Of Reducing Cholesterol Levels
There are two specific natural ways of reducing cholesterol levels within the individual. One of the best ways to reduce the LDL level is through a proper diet.
Therefore, it is important that the individual who is wishing to reduce cholesterol levels within their bloodstream refrain from eating excessive amounts of red meat, lamb or other animal products. These animal products can include cream cheese, cheeses, butter, eggs or other items high in cholesterol.
Not only should the individual refrain from eating these products, but they should become more educated consumers. This education can be accomplished by reading the nutritional labels found on food packaging. When reading these labels it is important to refrain from eating foods that have high amounts of cholesterol, saturated fat or fats contained within the food product. Generally, food labels disclose what the cholesterol content is of these items per serving.
Another natural way of reducing cholesterol levels is through exercise. It is highly recommended that an individual engage in any exercise program that can be labeled as a cardiovascular activity. Some of these activities can include swimming, jogging, walking, etc. Any exercise that will elevate the heart beat of an individual to a certain level depending upon their age and physical condition can be considered a cardiovascular activity.
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