Heart Disease Increase in the Young

Adults over the age of 20 should have their The High Blood Pressure Program Review cholesterol measured at least once every 5 years. A non-fasting cholesterol test will show total cholesterol levels as well as HDL which is considered the good type of cholesterol. LDL is considered the bad type of cholesterol. A fasting cholesterol test measures not only total cholesterol but also LDL and HDL levels. Total cholesterol levels under 200 are the most desirable. The goal is to decrease your LDL levels and increase your HDL levels.

Being aware of your cholesterol levels is an important part of living a healthy life. Eat healthy, exercise regularly, quit smoking and take any prescription medications ordered by your physician on a regular schedule. Know your family history and let you doctor know if you have an increase risk. A combination of all these measures can allow you to live the best life possible.

The suggestions you may receive for reducing cholesterol will vary, depending on how up to date the advice happens to be. In years past, the primary suggestion was to reduce dietary intake of cholesterol-rich foods, such as eggs. Current advice is a bit different. First of all, high cholesterol counts are not the only thing to consider. Cholesterols are transferred through the bloodstream in particles called lipoproteins, which are composed of fats and proteins.

The lipoproteins are of varying densities and fat to protein ratios. The higher density lipoproteins, which contain more protein and less fat, are not a cause of cardiovascular disease, because they do not penetrate the walls of the arteries. The lower density lipoproteins can cause cardiovascular disease, because they can penetrate. Once lodged in the walls they can become oxidized and form plaques. The plaques can eventually clog the artery to the point where the blood cannot get through. But, before that happens, they cause increased production of inflammatory molecules, which further restricts blood flow.


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