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High Cholesterol

by: Christoph Puetz

is a very common diagnosis by doctors nowadays when dealing with patients. Cholesterol has been identified as to increase the risk of heart diseases. But what is Cholesterol at all?

Cholesterol is a substance produced by the human liver. The body produces Cholesterol to build up acids that help with the digestion of fat that we eat with our meals. Cholesterol is also supposed to build and repair cell. It is also part of the process to produce estrogens and the testosterone hormone. Most people affected by high Cholesterol have never heard of what Cholesterol is and what it does.

Cholesterol plays an important role for the human body. So, how can this substance turn itself into something that puts your health at danger? As with almost everything in life Cholesterol only does a good job when available in certain limits. If these limits get pushed high up (= high Cholesterol) it turns itself into something putting your health at risk. High Cholesterol has been proven to clog up arteries which again can lead to stroke and heart attack. Statistics show that about 500,000 of the US population die through heart disease related incidents. Once diagnosed with high Cholesterol and taking appropriate action the risk of heart attack can be reduced by up to 40%.

Cholesterol Symptoms

For most patients it is surprising to learn that there are no external visible symptoms to diagnose a high level of Cholesterol. A blood test is needed to identify high Cholesterol appropriately. However, if diagnosed with certain medical conditions it could be a sign of high Cholesterol. Those medical conditions include (but are not limited to) coronary disease, vascular disease or stroke.

How to lower high Cholesterol

If a blood test shows that your cholesterol levels are too high, your doctor will recommend immediate action. Depending on the severity of the problem this can be a special diet combined with physical exercise or the use of medication. Overall the patient should start using a low Cholesterol diet and plan doing this for the long term. A low Cholesterol diet is based on food which is low in saturated fat. Food groups recommended to be used on a low Cholesterol diet include (but are not limited to) skinless poultry, lean meat, certain fish, fruits, vegetables, whole grain foods and low fat dairy products.

Meals should be prepared by steaming, grilling, boiling or baking. Fried food items are to be avoided.

Blood tests to get the Cholesterol values are supposed to be done every 3 years for healthy people. Patients diagnosed with high Cholesterol will have to expect more frequent blood testing to verify success of medication and diet.

About the author:
About the Author

Christoph Puetz is a successful entrepreneur and international book author. Christoph lives in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. One of the websites he maintains can be found at Health Portal Online.

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Prevent Heart Disease
by: Mike Spencer

You should always keep in mind that whatever actions you do today can either help to prevent, delay or minimize the effect of heart disease or worsen it. The key is to control risk factors. Granted that you cannot control every risk factor for heart disease such as family history but you can definitely do something about your behavior. Age and gender also influence your risk of heart disease.

Major Risk Factors of Heart Disease

Cholesterol Levels

Cholesterol is a type of a lipid, a soft, fatlike substance that serves as a source of fuel. Excessive cholesterol can cause buildup of atherosclerotic plaque. Accumulation of plaque in arteries can block blood flow and lead to a heart attack. LDL cholesterol, the so-called "bad" cholesterol, is transported to sites throughout the body, where it's used to repair cell membranes or to make hormones. LDL cholesterol can accumulate in the walls of your arteries. HDL cholesterol, the so-called "good" cholesterol, transports cholesterol to the liver, where it's altered and removed from the body.

Blood Pressure

Normal blood pressure level is defined as less than 130 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) for systolic blood pressure and less than 85 mm Hg for diastolic blood pressure. The higher the blood pressure, the more likely it is to take a toll on the heart and on the brain. Blood pressure should be checked whether or not your levels are high. For normal, check once every two years. For high-normal, check once a year. If extremely high, you should get immediate care. Then get multiple measurements to know if a high level is sustained over time.

Diabetes

Another risk factor for heart disease is diabetes, a chronic disease of insulin deficiency or resistance. Type 2 diabetes, the most common type, is associated with obesity and may be prevented by maintaining ideal body weight through exercise and balanced nutrition.

Tips For Controlling Risk of Heart Disease

Stop Smoking

The effect of smoking on your lungs can cause almost every other medical condition.

Get Active

Routine physical activity is highly recommended and helpful in controlling obesity. Try to perform 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. Fast walking is one of the best way to prevent heart disease. If you can lose even a small amount of weight, five pounds for example, it may have a positive effect on lipid levels and blood pressure preventing heart disease.

Limit Alcohol Consumption

Limit daily alcohol intake to three ounces or fewer to prevent heart disease. People who drink large amounts of alcohol (six to eight ounces a day) tend to have higher blood pressure.

Watch What You Eat

Eat five helpings of fruits and vegetables daily to prevent heart disease.

Maintain adequate dietary potassium, calcium and magnesium intake.

Reduce saturated fats and cholesterol to stay away from heart disease.

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