Cholesterol

The coined medical term for high cholesterol is “hypercholesterolemia.” According to the American Heart Association, approximately “102.2 million adults in the United States have total blood cholesterol values of 200 mg/dL and higher, and of these about 35.7 million American adults have levels of 240 or above.”

Cholesterol is a soft, water-soluble substance that is found in the bloodstream of all the cells in the body. In fact, it is customary to have cholesterol in the body. Without it, the body would not be able to produce cellular membranes and certain hormones.

The problem starts when the cholesterol begins to buildup inside of the arteries. This usually occurs from eating too many foods with saturated fats.

It is also caused by genetics.

Where does Cholesterol Come from?

Cholesterol is derived from two main sources, food and the body. The liver and different cells within the body make up about ¾ of blood cholesterol. The other ¼ comes from the foods consumed.

Just like the movie, “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly,” cholesterol also has a variety of faces. Generally speaking, there are two types of cholesterol. One is bad cholesterol and the other is good cholesterol. LDL is known as the bad cholesterol.

Health Issues of High Cholesterol

When cholesterol accumulates within the arteries, plaque is formed and blood flow is hindered. This is when health issues become a concern. Some of the health issues associated with high cholesterol is coronary heart disease and stroke.

So how does one know when they have high cholesterol? Well, many symptoms take place when someone has high cholesterol.

Symptoms of High Cholesterol Include:

The only surefire way to find out if cholesterol is high is to have a cholesterol test performed by a doctor. Cholesterol tests check the key lipids in the blood. These lipids are
LDL, HDL, Triglycerides, and total cholesterol.

If the doctor finds that cholesterol levels are outside of normal range, then he will either demand a low fat diet be followed with exercise, or prescribe medication. He may even recommend doing both, depending on your family history.

Current guidelines suggest that anyone at or under the age of 20 have their cholesterol checked. This test should also be done once ever five years.

When High Cholesterol is a Problem

So what can be done if high cholesterol is a problem? Eating healthy is one way to lower cholesterol. Eating foods such as oatmeal and high fiber foods tends to lower blood cholesterol levels.

If weight is an issue, losing weight is a good way to lower cholesterol. Eating foods high in saturated fats can raise cholesterol levels.

Cutting back on any foods derived from animals, this includes high saturated fat found in red meats, pure milk, butter and foods cooked or fried in vegetable oil. If cholesterol is still high even after the adjustments are made, exercise can also help lower cholesterol levels.

Participating in exercise for 30 minutes a day 3 to 4 times a week is not only great to help improve high cholesterol, but it is also great for lowering blood pressure as well. Often high blood pressure is correlated with high cholesterol. Therefore, you exercising helps both of these common health issues.

If after proper diet and exercise has been attempted for a few months, then consulting a physician would be a wise decision. Some people make drastic lifestyle changes and still their cholesterol may be high. Therefore, a doctor might prescribe cholesterol medication.

By following this simple guide, understanding what cholesterol is can make working to lower high levels of cholesterol easier. Lowering levels of cholesterol can be achieved through proper medical advice, as well as eating healthy and exercising. Just make sure to consult with a licensed physician prior to starting this or any diet regime.