High Cholesterol

High cholesterol is a disease that many Americans that if not treated, can be dangerous to an individual and even fatal. Just like having high blood pressure, it needs to be control and treated before it begins to worsen.

It is important to consult with a medical physician or your families doctor to help you get tested for this medical issue, so it can be treated as soon as possible.

We will be discussing what is cholesterol, symptoms, the different kinds, their causes, how to treat it, and how to diagnose this problem, so you can go to your nexts doctors visit and be ready and prepared.

What is High Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a certain type of fat known as a lipid. The body uses it for several reasons such as making new cells. Your liver produces the cholesterol that you need. However, cholesterol also comes from the foods that you consume.

Nevertheless, your body needs cholesterol, but when your body has too much of, the cholesterol begins to build up in your arteries known as, hardening of the arteries. Normally, it is a slow and steady process that gradually gets worse you get older.

The build-up of cholesterol in your body narrows your arteries and makes it difficult for your blood to flow throughout your body. It reduces the amount of blood entering your heart. That can cause heart attacks, strokes, and other dangerous health related issues.

Checking your blood test can determine your cholesterol rating. Your cholesterol numbers provides your doctor with information to know if you are at risk of any problems. Also, your doctor or physician will also factor in your age, blood pressure, and if you smoke.

For a general idea about your cholesterol leve, compare your numbers to the numbers below:

BEST	BORDERLINE HIGH	HIGH
Less then 200	200-239	240 or above

........Now use this results to mange a better lifestyle!

Symptoms of High Cholesterol

High cholesterol shows no symptoms or signs at all, but if the cholesterol in your body builds up in your arteries, it can block the blood flow from circulating in your heart and brain that and cause a heart attack or stroke.

By the time you find out you that you have high cholesterol, it may already be clogging up your arteries causing some serious damage, so keep a reguraly eye on your cholesterol level and have a healthy nutrious diet.

The Different Kinds of Cholesterol?

Your cholesterol is attached to a protein that travels through your blood called a lipid that causes different symptoms of high cholesterol. Having cholesterol and protein combined is known as a lipoprotein. Lipoproteins are either high-density or low-density, based on the amount of protein and fat.

Here are the different kinds of cholesterol:

Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) - This is known as the "bad" cholesterol. A big portion of LDL is fat with a small amount of protein. This can clog-up your arteries. If your cholesterol level is high, your doctor will want you to lower your LDL.
High-density lipoproteins (HDL) - This is known as the "good" cholesterol. HDL has more protein than fat. HDL can help in preventing a heart attack and clears the bad cholesterol from your blood, so your arteries won't get clog.
Triglycerides - This is another type of fat in the blood that can also have and affect on your health. Your chances of having a heart attack is much higher when consuming high levels of triglycerides.

Goals and Strategies

Experts have presented goals and strategies fror each type of cholesterol.
Depending on your risck of heart attacks and strokes, your doctor will help you in determining your cholesterol goals and strategies. Your doctor will definetly assist you in knowing your risks.

LDL - Your LDL level should be low. This goal helps you determine your risks of having heart attacks or strokes. If you are at a very high LDL risk, then your goal may be less than 70. If your LDL is at a high risk level, then your goal is less than 100. If your level is at a moderate risk, then your goal is less than 130. If you are at low risk level, then your goal is less than 160.

HDL - Your HDL level should be high. A good HDL goal is normally 40 or higher. HDL level over 60 will help in protecting against a heart attack or stroke. HDL level that is below 40 increases your risk of of having heart problems. Having a high HDL number can help offset a high LDL number.

Triglycerides - Your triglyceride level should be less than 150. A level above 150 may increase your risk of having heart problems.

The Causes of High Cholesterol

There are many things that causes of high cholesterol, and all that includes the following:

Your Diet - Eating saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol such as meats, whole milk, egg yolks, butter, cheese, chips, and cookies can raise your cholesterol.

Weight - Being overweight or obese will raise your triglycerides and lower your good cholesterol which is known as HDL.

Activity level - Not exercising enough or not exercising at all can help raise LDL and lower your HDL.

Overall health - Diseases such as hypothyroidism can definetlyraise cholesterol. Smoking also lowers your HDL.

Age - Causes of high cholesterol begins to increase after the age of 20. In men, it usually equalls out after age 50. In women, it normally stays fairly low until she hits menopause. After that, cholesterol levels normally increases at the same rate as men.

Family History - However, there are some individuals that inherits a rare disease known as a lipid disorder that causes a very high cholesterol total, very low HDL, and high tryglycerides. By having this problem, you will have to begin treatment at a young age.

Diagnosing High Cholesterol

Doctors will always use a simple blood test to to determine you cholesterol level:

A fasting cholesterol test that is known as a lipoprotein analysis is the most complete test. It measures total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides. However, you can't eat food 9-12 hours before this test.
Taking a direct LDL test wil only measure your LDL level. You can take this test at any time.
A simple cholesterol test can determine your total cholesterol and HDL. There are times that a doctor will do this test first, if it shows high cholesterol or low HDL.

How is it treated?

There are two main treatments and thery are lifestyle changes and medicines. The goal when doing treatment is to lower your "bad" LDL cholesterol and reduce your chances of having a heart attack or strokes. It will also be important to raise your "good" HDL cholesterol. A high level of HDL will help decrease your chances of having heart problems or strokes.

Lifestyle changes are important for everyone with high cholesterol. Your doctor will have you do the following:

The goal when reducing your cholesterol is to decrease the amount of saturated fat you eat.The TLC diet will help you learn to make better decisions when choosing your foods by picking lean meats, low-fat or nonfat products, and good fats like olive and canola oils.
If you need to, lose weight. Losing just about 5-10 lbs can lower your cholesterol and triglycerides.
Become a more active individual. Exercise can raise your "good" HDL and can help control your weight.
If you smoke, quit smoking. Quitting can help raise your HDL and improve your heart health.

Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle changes can be enough on their own, but if you try as follows for a simple few months and it doesnt lower your cholesterol enough, your doctor may prescribe a medicine called "Statin" to lower your cholesterol. You may also need medicines to help lower triglycerides or raise HDL.

Importantly, take your medicine just as the doctor tells you. If you stop to take your medicine, your cholesterol will go back up.

You will need to have your cholesterol checked on a regular basis. Your results can help doctors determine how to help in lowering your cholesterol or if you need different medicines.

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