Why High Blood Cholesterol Levels are Dangerous
By Kim Beardsmore
Cholesterol, like fat, cannot move around the bloodstream on its own because
it does not mix with water. The bloodstream carries cholesterol in particles
called lipoproteins that are like blood-borne cargo trucks delivering
cholesterol to various body tissues to be used, stored or excreted. But too much
of this circulating cholesterol can injure arteries, especially the coronary
ones that supply the heart. This leads to accumulation of cholesterol-laden
"plaque" in vessel linings, a condition called atherosclerosis.
When blood flow to the heart is impeded, the heart muscle becomes starved for
oxygen, causing chest pain (angina). If a blood clot completely obstructs a
coronary artery affected by atherosclerosis, a heart attack (myocardial
infarction) or death can occur.
Are you at risk? Cardiovascular disease is still one of the greatest health
problem affecting western countries. According to the American Heart Foundation,
over 70 million Americans have cardiovascular disease (CVD). The national cost
of is nearly $400 billion and every 45 seconds an American has a stoke.
Certain risk factors increase your chances of developing cardiovascular
disease.
Overweight
High blood cholesterol
Insufficient physical
activity
High blood pressure
Smoking
Excessive alcohol
intake
Diabetes
Many people have multiple risk factors for heart disease and the level of
risk increases with the number of risk factors. By reducing these risk factors
you can largely prevent the onset of cardiovascular disease. On its own elevated
blood cholesterol is not necessarily a problem, but coupled with one or more
other risk factors for heart disease, it is often the straw that breaks the
camel's back.
It is, therefore, very important to know what your cholesterol levels are and
to keep them at a healthy level before you have any problems.
High risk cholesterol
If your total cholesterol level is 240 or
more, it's definitely high. You have a higher risk of heart attack and stroke.
In fact, you should have your LDL and HDL cholesterol tested. Ask your doctor
for advice. Close to 20 percent of the U.S. population has high blood
cholesterol levels.
Borderline-high risk
People whose total cholesterol is 200 to 239
mg/dL have borderline-high cholesterol. About a third of American adults are in
this group, while almost half of adults have total cholesterol levels below 200
mg/dL. In fact, people who have a total cholesterol of 240 mg/dL have twice the
risk of coronary heart disease as people whose cholesterol level is 200 mg/dL.
Does physical activity affect cholesterol?
Other factors that affect blood cholesterol levels:
Heredity - High cholesterol often runs in families. Even though
specific genetic causes have been identified in only a minority of cases, genes
still play a role in influencing blood cholesterol levels. If your parents have
high cholesterol, you need to be tested to see if your cholesterol levels are
also elevated.
Age and gender - Before menopause, women tend to have total
cholesterol levels lower than men at the same age. Cholesterol levels naturally
rise as men and women age. Menopause is often associated with increases in LDL
cholesterol in women.
Stress - Studies have not shown stress to be directly inked to
cholesterol levels. But experts say that because people sometimes eat fatty
foods to console themselves when under stress, this can cause higher blood
cholesterol.
Excess weight - Being overweight tends to increase blood cholesterol
levels. Losing weight has been shown to help lower levels. A greater risk of
increased cholesterol levels occurs when that extra weight is centered in the
abdominal region, as opposed to the legs or buttocks.
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