Cholesterol and Heart Disease – Why Are These Two Things Related?

Cholesterol and heart disease – this is a short term for cholesterol causing heart disease. How is such relationship established? Are there certain numbers that can provide you with such a relationship? Learn about these facts through this page.

Facts about High Cholesterol Levels

Usually the liver supplies cholesterol to the body. But we also get cholesterol from the foods we eat especially from meat, milk and eggs. It is the cholesterol that helps our body build new cells, produce hormones and insulate nerves. Excess cholesterol in the body can lead to heart disease.

If you have more than enough bad cholesterol in the blood, it will cause atherosclerosis which is a kind of heart disease.  The excess cholesterol building through the arteries’ walls can result to narrowing of the said area. Therefore there is a blocking of blood flow that is intended to go to the heart. In this case, there will be no enough oxygen to reach the heart. This may then cause chest pain that will lead to heart attack.

Cholesterol and Heart Disease

High Cholesterol Levels – The Good versus the Bad

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) which is otherwise known as bad cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol are the two forms of cholesterol in our bodies.  LDL has less protein but is high in cholesterol while HDL has lower amounts of cholesterol but is high in protein. With this, LDL cause clogging of the artery and the HDL is the one responsible in clearing the bad form of cholesterol that comes from the bloodstream.

Determining High Cholesterol and Heart Disease

There are no symptoms noted yet for high cholesterol, so some people that have high cholesterol are unaware of it.  It is therefore crucial to know your cholesterol level to determine if you are at risk to heart diseases or not. One must undergo blood test so as to know your cholesterol level. For those whose age is 20 years and above, you must have the so called blood test which is lipoprotein. This should be taken every five years.

In this regard, it is also important to know whether you cholesterol level is desirable or not. If it is less than 200, then it means you are still having a favorable cholesterol level. If it is between the ranges of 200 and 239, then you are within the high borderline. If your cholesterol level is above 240, then your cholesterol level is very high.

Treating High Cholesterol Levels

A high cholesterol level must be treated to lower LDL. You can take some medicines to lower it and in addition, one must eat a heart-healthy diet, exercise regularly and must maintain a healthy weight. You must also take note of some risk factors regarding heart disease. This is used by the doctor to know whether you should lower your LDL or not.

1. Age. Men 45 years and above while women 55 years and above should lower LDL levels.

1. If you are smoking, then LDL lowering is also important.
2. If you have a high blood pressure, then it follows that you should lower your LDL as well.
3. An HDL less than 40mg/dL is a signal to lowering your LDL.
4. Family History of premature heart disease should also be established. In males this can be determined using the first degree relative who is less than 55 years. For females, the requirement is first degree relative less than 65 years

Using Risk Factors to Determine High Cholesterol and Heart Disease

After assessing all the risk factors mentioned above, the doctor will gauge your susceptibility to having a heart disease due to high cholesterol levels. The ranges include the following explanations.

• A person with 0-1 risk factor for heart disease doesn’t have to worry. He is at low to moderate risk. Just a change in lifestyle will keep his cholesterol level in check.
• A person with 2 or more risk factors will have a moderate risk to heart disease. In here you don’t only need to change your lifestyle but also you will need a drug for lowering cholesterol or a drug to increase your HDL. In addition, you have to follow a diet plan and an exercise program.
• A person having multiple risk factors means he is at risk to heart disease.  Cholesterol lowering drug and a lifestyle change is much needed to avoid heart disease.

After knowing facts about cholesterol and heart disease, now is the time you change your act. You should be careful with what you do. Make some researches and see if products such as those found in this link Herbal Cholesterol Treatment will help.