|
bad cholesterol guide |
|
Why Bad Is Bad For You
LDL, or low-density lipoprotein, has been dubbed bad cholesterol. This bad is bad because high level of LDL levels in your blood over time can build up in the walls of your arteries that feed the organs in your body. Plaque causes the arteries to become narrow and less flexible, a condition called atherosclerosis. If an artery becomes too narrow or becomes completely blocked by a clot heart attack and stroke can be the result.
A test revealing a measured bad level of between 130-159 mg/dl is considered to be borderline high. LDL blood levels of 160 mg/dl or higher are considered high. Bad levels should be held down to 129 mg/dl or lower, anything less than 100 mg/dl is optimal.
Controlling Bad Cholesterol
Controlling high levels of bad can be difficult by dietary means alone. Reading labels and ingesting low fat, free foods along with increasing regular exercise can help lower LDL levels. But having high levels of bad also comes from genetics. If your parents and their siblings and their parents generally have higher than normal levels it is likely that you will too.
There are many prescription medicines that can help lower bad cholesterol. If you have made proper dietary and lifestyle changes with no result, cholesterol-reducing drugs, known at statins, can be taken. As with any medicine, statins have side effects. Mild side effects such as stomach upset, gas, constipation and cramping usually go away after taking the drug for a short while. Serious side effects while taking statins are rare but include liver problems and muscle pain and weakness. Liver function tests are regularly given to patients using statin drugs to monitor for problems.
Good Must Be Monitored Also
When your levels are tested another type of cholesterol, known as high-density lipoprotein or HDL, is measured also. HDL is commonly though of as the good cholesterol. Unlike bad cholesterol, low levels (40 mg/dl or less) of HDL can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. An HDL level of 60 mg/dl is desirable.
Increased Risks As You Age
Monitoring your and maintaining healthy levels becomes more and more important as we get older. Aging brings about changes that increase our risks for health problems such as high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. Age related diseases such as arthritis cause people to become less active when they get older. So controlling your levels become even more important later in life to ensure a long vigorous life.
|
| |
| Here are some great additional articles. |
| |
Low Cholesterol Diet Tips
Low Cholesterol Diet TipsIf your doctor tells you that you have high cholesterol and that you need to switch to a low cholesterol diet you are likely thinking that your Read more...
|
Natural Ways Of Reducing Cholesterol Levels
Natural Ways Of Reducing Cholesterol LevelsWhen you reach a certain age, many medical professionals suggest that individual undergo a yearly medical checkup. Often a Read more...
|
Cholesterol Medications Help In Different Ways
Cholesterol Medications Help In Different WaysWhen the doctor has determined that diet and exercise are not going to help you achieve optimal cholesterol levels, there are Read more...
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
![[أربيك]](http://cholesterol.infotipsandguides.com/websitetranslator/images/flag_ar.gif){kind=small}
