When there is too much cholesterol (a fat-like substance) in your blood, it builds up in the walls of your arteries. Over time, this buildup causes “hardening of the arteries” so that arteries become narrowed and blood flow to the heart is slowed down or blocked.
The blood carries oxygen to the heart, and if enough blood and oxygen cannot reach your heart, you may suffer chest pain. If the blood supply to a portion of the heart is completely cut off by a blockage, the result is a heart attack.
The blood carries oxygen to the heart, and if enough blood and oxygen cannot reach your heart, you may suffer chest pain. If the blood supply to a portion of the heart is completely cut off by a blockage, the result is a heart attack.
High blood cholesterol itself does not cause symptoms; so many people are unaware that their cholesterol level is too high. It is important to find out what your cholesterol numbers are because lowering cholesterol levels that are too high lessens the risk for developing heart disease and reduces the chance of a heart attack or dying of heart disease, even you already have it.
Cholesterol-lowering is important for everyone-younger, middle age, and older adults; women and men; and people with or without heart disease.
Cholesterol-lowering is important for everyone-younger, middle age, and older adults; women and men; and people with or without heart disease.
Everyone age 20 and older should have their cholesterol measured at least once every 5 years. It is best to have a blood test called a “lipoprotein profile” to find out your cholesterol numbers. This blood test is done after a 9 to 12 hour fast and gives information about your:
- Total cholesterol
- LDL (bad) cholesterol
- The main source of cholesterol buildup and blockage in the arteries
- HDL (good) cholesterol
- Help keep cholesterol from building up in the arteries
- Triglycerides
- Another form of fat in your blood
Saturated Fat & Cholesterol – an evil combination
If you are trying to control your blood cholesterol level, you must limit not only the amount of cholesterol you consume but also the amount of saturated fat, which appears to stimulate the body’s production of cholesterol.
Although they’re often mentioned together, cholesterol and fat is not the same thing. Cholesterol is found only in animal products – meats, poultry, dairy products, and eggs.
Although they’re often mentioned together, cholesterol and fat is not the same thing. Cholesterol is found only in animal products – meats, poultry, dairy products, and eggs.
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