Why High Blood Cholesterol Levels Are Dangerous

Cholesterol, like fat, cannot move around the bloodstream on
its own because it does not mix with water. The bloodstream
carries cholesterol in particles called lipoproteins that are
like blood-borne cargo trucks delivering cholesterol to various
body tissues to be used, stored or excreted. But too much of
this circulating cholesterol can injure arteries, especially the
coronary ones that supply the heart. This leads to accumulation
of cholesterol-laden “plaque” in vessel linings, a condition
called atherosclerosis.

When blood flow to the heart is impeded, the heart muscle
becomes starved for oxygen, causing chest pain (angina). If a
blood clot completely obstructs a coronary artery affected by
atherosclerosis, a heart attack (myocardial infarction) or death
can occur.

Are you at risk? Cardiovascular disease is still one of the
greatest health problem affecting western countries. According
to the American Heart Foundation, over 70 million Americans have
cardiovascular disease (CVD). The national cost of is nearly
$400 billion and every 45 seconds an American has a stoke.

Certain risk factors increase your chances of developing
cardiovascular disease.

Overweight

High blood cholesterol

Insufficient physical activity

High blood pressure

Smoking

Excessive alcohol intake

Diabetes

Many people have multiple risk factors for heart disease and
the level of risk increases with the number of risk factors. By
reducing these risk factors you can largely prevent the onset of
cardiovascular disease. On its own elevated blood cholesterol is
not necessarily a problem, but coupled with one or more other
risk factors for heart disease, it is often the straw that
breaks the camel’s back.

It is, therefore, very important to know what your cholesterol
levels are and to keep them at a healthy level before you have
any problems.

High risk cholesterol If your total cholesterol level is
240 or more, it’s definitely high. You have a higher risk of
heart attack and stroke. In fact, you should have your LDL and
HDL cholesterol tested. Ask your doctor for advice. Close to 20
percent of the U.S. population has high blood cholesterol
levels.

Borderline-high risk People whose total cholesterol is
200 to 239 mg/dL have borderline-high cholesterol. About a third
of American adults are in this group, while almost half of
adults have total cholesterol levels below 200 mg/dL. In fact,
people who have a total cholesterol of 240 mg/dL have twice the
risk of coronary heart disease as people whose cholesterol level
is 200 mg/dL. Does physical activity affect cholesterol?

Other factors that affect blood cholesterol levels:

Heredity – High cholesterol often runs in families. Even
though specific genetic causes have been identified in only a
minority of cases, genes still play a role in influencing blood
cholesterol levels. If your parents have high cholesterol, you
need to be tested to see if your cholesterol levels are also
elevated.

Age and gender – Before menopause, women tend to have
total cholesterol levels lower than men at the same age.
Cholesterol levels naturally rise as men and women age.
Menopause is often associated with increases in LDL cholesterol
in women.

Stress – Studies have not shown stress to be directly
inked to cholesterol levels. But experts say that because people
sometimes eat fatty foods to console themselves when under
stress, this can cause higher blood cholesterol.

Excess weight – Being overweight tends to increase blood
cholesterol levels. Losing weight has been shown to help lower
levels. A greater risk of increased cholesterol levels occurs
when that extra weight is centered in the abdominal region, as
opposed to the legs or buttocks.

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