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Cholesterol and Prevention of Heart Attack and Stroke
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is found in the foods we eat and in the blood and body organs. When too much cholesterol is in the body, it can build up in the blood vessels of the body (arteries) and block circulation of blood. This is called atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries.
Is all cholesterol bad?
No. There are two kids of cholesterol. HDL cholesterol is good cholesterol and protects against heart attack. It does not build up in artery walls and tends to remove cholesterol fromartery walls. LDL cholesterol is bad cholesterol and tends to build up in the artery walls as a thick, hard deposit. As the LDL cholesterol builds, the artery wall narrows and may get blocked completely. LDL cholesterol increases stroke and heart attack risk.
What are normal cholesterol levels?
Lower LDL cholesterol levels are linked with lower risk of heart disease and stroke. LDL higher than 160 mg/dL means a high risk of heart disease and stroke. If you have other risk factors for heart disease (high blood pressure, diabetes, overweight, a previous heart attack or stroke), your LDL should be less than 100mg/dL.
High HDL cholesterol levels are linked with reduced risk of heart disease and stroke. HDL cholesterol levels greater than 45 mg/dL reduce your risk of heart disease.
How can I reduce my LDL and increase my HDL cholesterol?
Diet: In general, fruits, vegetables, and grains do not contain cholesterol. Meats, egg yolks, and dairy products do contain cholesterol. Foods with a lot of saturated fats such as butter, stick margarine, cream sauces, beef (including hamburger), fried foods are high in cholesterol. Chicken and fish have less saturated fat than beef. Increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables may reduce your cholesterol level. Proteins from beans are good substitutes for meat as a source of protein.
Exercise: Regular physical activityincreases the good HDLcholesterol. Physical activity also helps with weight reduction. Regular physical activitysuch as walking or jogging, 3-5 days per week, reduces your risk of stroke and heart disease.
Stop Smoking: As soon as you stop smoking, you begin to increase the good HDL cholesterol and you begin to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. Smoking also makes your blood clot, increasing your risk of stroke. This effect of smoking is reduced as soon as you quit smoking.
Medications: Sometimes medications are necessary to reduce your LDL cholesterol. These medications should be combined with a healthy diet and physical activity. Medication alone is not enough.
If you have questions about your cholesterol level or about how you can reduce your risk of stroke or heart disease, ask your doctor. He/she is best source of information about your personal health.
