Cholesterol is found in the bloodstream and in all your body's cells. The soft, waxy substance is produced by your body and it's necessary in moderate amounts.
Cholesterol is an important part of a healthy body because it's used to form cell membranes, some hormones and other needed tissues. But you can have too much of a good thing!
High cholesterol levels in the blood are a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, which causes heart attacks. Cholesterol and other fats can't dissolve in the blood. Because of this, they have to be transported to and from the cells by special carriers of lipids and proteins called lipoproteins. There are several kinds, but the ones to be most concerned about are low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL).
(LDL's) Low Density Lipoproteins:
Low density lipoprotein is the major cholesterol carrier in the blood. When a person has too much LDL cholesterol circulating in the blood, it can slowly build up within the walls of the arteries feeding the heart and brain. Together with other substances, it can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can clog those arteries. This condition is known as atherosclerosis.
A high level of LDL cholesterol reflects an increased risk of heart disease. That is why LDL cholesterol is often called "bad" cholesterol. Your doctor can judge your risk of heart attack more accurately by determining the amount of cholesterol carried by your LDLs. If your LDL cholesterol is more than 160 milligrams per deciliter of blood, it's high. Ideally, your LDL cholesterol is below 130. Total blood cholesterol can indicate your level of risk. If it's 200 mg/dL or over, your doctor will probably measure your LDL cholesterol level, which is a more accurate indicator of heart disease.
A high level of LDL cholesterol reflects an increased risk of heart disease. That is why LDL cholesterol is often called "bad" cholesterol. Your doctor can judge your risk of heart attack more accurately by determining the amount of cholesterol carried by your LDLs. If your LDL cholesterol is more than 160 milligrams per deciliter of blood, it's high. Ideally, your LDL cholesterol is below 130. Total blood cholesterol can indicate your level of risk. If it's 200 mg/dL or over, your doctor will probably measure your LDL cholesterol level, which is a more accurate indicator of heart disease.
(HDL's) High Density Lipoproteins:
About one-third to one-fourth of blood cholesterol is carried by high density lipoprotein or HDL. Doctors think HDL tends to carry cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it's passed from the body. Some doctors believe HDL helps remove excess cholesterol from atherosclerotic plaques and thus slows their growth. HDL is known as "good" cholesterol because a high level of HDL or high density lipoproteins helps to protect against heart attacks.
How Serious is High Cholesterol?
Doctors know that lowering cholesterol levels reduces the risk of illness or death from heart disease. If you already have heart disease then lowering cholesterol will probably help you live longer.
High LDL cholesterol is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease because it causes damage to and narrowing of the arteries.
When coronary arteries are narrowed by plaques, they may be unable to supply enough blood and oxygen to the heart muscle during physical activity.
When coronary arteries are narrowed by plaques, they may be unable to supply enough blood and oxygen to the heart muscle during physical activity.
Lack of oxygen to the heart muscle can cause chest pain.
There is a greater chance of a blood clot forming on the surface of a fatty deposit in the artery than if that artery is "clean." This may cause blockage of the artery, leading to death of heart muscle in the affected area resulting in a heart attack.
There is a greater chance of a blood clot forming on the surface of a fatty deposit in the artery than if that artery is "clean." This may cause blockage of the artery, leading to death of heart muscle in the affected area resulting in a heart attack.
It is interesting that HDL cholesterol is sometimes called "good" cholesterol, because it helps to remove cholesterol from the blood and in so doing, may help clear cholesterol plaque from the arteries
The risk from high cholesterol is increased if other risk factors are also present -- like high blood pressure and smoking -- because these interact with each other.
How is High Cholesterol Treated?
Diet, weight loss and regular exercise are the first steps to lower blood cholesterol and prevent coronary heart disease. If you smoke, you should stop. Reducing dietary saturated fat intake is the most common means of reducing blood cholesterol. Sometimes even when people do everything right, cholesterol levels remain high. For these people medication is often needed. Medicines used to treat high cholesterol include:
Statins, which help to remove LDL cholesterol from the blood.
Niacin, a B vitamin, makes the body produce less cholesterol.
Cholestyramine and colestipol, which reduces the amount of cholesterol absorbed into the body from the bowel.
Fibrates, also help to remove cholesterol from the blood.
Probucol, an antioxidant, helps to stop cholesterol from being changed into a more harmful chemical form which prevents it attacking blood vessels.
It's important to get your cholesterol levels checked when you go for your physical exams..
Statins, which help to remove LDL cholesterol from the blood.
Niacin, a B vitamin, makes the body produce less cholesterol.
Cholestyramine and colestipol, which reduces the amount of cholesterol absorbed into the body from the bowel.
Fibrates, also help to remove cholesterol from the blood.
Probucol, an antioxidant, helps to stop cholesterol from being changed into a more harmful chemical form which prevents it attacking blood vessels.
It's important to get your cholesterol levels checked when you go for your physical exams..
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