Many people think that all cholesterol is bad, but it is not.
With so many conflicting messages and advice, it can be difficult to understand all. Therefore experts have broken the essential things: what is cholesterol, how it can affect our health and what can help.
Whether you have been told whether you have high cholesterol or you are just curious about what is going on inside your body, what you should know here:
What is cholesterol?
Ruth Gauss, a senior cardiac nurse of the British Heart Foundation, states that “cholesterol is used to keep them healthy by all cells of your body”.
“It is transported to the cells around your body that is required by protein in your blood. When cholesterol and protein combine, they are called lipoproteins.”
Low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) are two main types.
“LDL is unhealthy and can cause plaque to manufacture into the arteries, increases the risk of stroke,” in the independent pharmacy, Dr. Donald Grant, GP and Senior Clinical Advisor were highlighted.
“Whereas, HDL AIDS in removing excess cholesterol from the body to maintain healthy volume.”
Which factors can increase your risk of high LDL level?
According to the website of the British Heart Foundation, one of the biggest risk factors is a family hyperclesterolemia, which is a genetic condition, where your liver cannot process cholesterol properly.
“If you have a family hypercolesterolemia, you need to start on statin or some other cholesterol-low drugs, as you can’t reduce that risk on your own,” Dr. Jeff Foster, Private and NHS GP and Director of Men’s Health Services Manual are called.
Body weight also affects cholesterol levels.
“Thick or overweight individuals have a high risk of the production of LDL cholesterol, which increases the risk of heart attack,” grant. “Obesity can also lead to insulin resistance by reducing HDL cholesterol.
“Additionally, chronic swelling, excess weight can also increase stress on the heart and affect cholesterol levels negatively.”
Are there any major signs of high LDL levels?
According to the British Heart Foundation website, in some cases, especially with very high levels or some genetic conditions, you can see gentomas (fatty bumps on the skin), xanthelasmas (yellow patches around the eyes), or corneal arcus (white rings around the colorful part of your eye).
However, most people do not do to show visible symptoms.
“It is often a hidden risk factor for serious conditions such as heart attack and stroke, meaning it can be without us until it is too late,” Gaus says. “This is why it is so important to check your cholesterol level – you can ask your GP to check your level with a simple blood test.”
How often should you check your cholesterol level?
“Generally, adults should aim to check their cholesterol every five years, however, it can change the risk factors such as bad cholesterol or age family history such as risk factors,” Grant says. “It is usually part of the NHS health check, people in the age group of 40-71 are sent every five years.”
However, Foster feels that it is a good idea to test your levels long ago.
“Start starting your cholesterol from the age of 20,” recommended the foster. “It seems really young, but high cholesterol is a cumulatively harmful process.
“If you have high cholesterol in your 20s, every year you have a risk before getting high cholesterol, so you are simply adding and adding that risk.
What are Statin and how can they help?
“Statin is an effective treatment that can reduce the amount of LDL in a person’s body, which can reduce its risk of major heart events,” is called a grant. “Treatment prevents enzymes in the liver to slow down the production of cholesterol.
“Usually, they are recommended for people with poor heart health or high LDL cholesterol.”
Statin comes in the form of pills that are taken once a day and the dose depends on why you need medication, your cholesterol levels and other drugs.
According to the NHS website, many people who take stytin do not experience very few side effects and those who experience some side effects are usually modest, such as diarrhea, headache, or sick.
Does diet affect our cholesterol levels?
“The types of cholesterol found in your body, such as non-H-HDL cholesterol, are different from diet cholesterol,” explains the gauss. “Many people think that foods like egg yolk and shellfish eat high foods in cholesterol, increase blood cholesterol levels.
“However, research suggests that diet cholesterol has a minimum effect on blood cholesterol levels.
“It is far more important to focus on reducing your intake of saturated fat, which is known to increase the level of cholesterol in your blood.”
What can be the change in other lifestyle?
“Since the situation is so closely associated with heart health, promoting fitness can improve heart health by increasing HDL cholesterol and reduce LDL,” is called Grant. “In general, people should target about 30 minutes every day.”
“It is also necessary to smoke and avoid alcohol, as both bad habits contribute to the high levels of LDL cholesterol.”
