Healthy Cholesterol Levels For Good Health
August 4th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
If you are an adult over 20 years old, it’s important to have your cholesterol level checked about every 5 years to ensure that you have what is considered to be a healthy cholesterol level. High cholesterol can cause heart disease and is a primary factor in people acquiring hardening of the arteries and causing heart attacks.
It’s very common these days for people to have their cholesterol levels checked. Doctors usually have their patients take a lipid profile test which checks the LDL (bad cholesterol), the HDL (good cholesterol) and the triglyceride level.
Healthy Cholesterol Level
Experts believe that if your overall cholesterol level is below 200mg/dl then you have a healthy cholesterol level and are considered to be at low risk for acquiring heart disease. It’s difficult for people to achieve a healthy cholesterol level or keep an acceptable cholesterol level whether they eat an unhealthy diet loaded with saturated fats or whether they do not get enough exercise.
In case your cholesterol test reveals a cholesterol level between 200 and 240 mg/dl you are placed in the category of people who are considered to have a moderate risk of getting heart disease. If your cholesterol test shows a cholesterol level over 240 mg/dl you are placed in the high risk category. People in the high risk category are thought to have about twice the risk of acquiring heart disease than those that have a healthy cholesterol level which is under 200 mg/dl.
Whether due to your high cholesterol level you are considered a high risk patient you should have an exercise plan created for you by an expert, reduce the saturated fat in your diet, eat healthy foods and if you still have a high cholesterol level your doctor might recommend drugs designed to reduce cholesterol such as statins.
HDL The Good Cholesterol
To increase your HDL (good cholesterol) level, avoid smoking, get a good deal of exercise and obtain a healthy bodyweight and avoid saturated fats. In the average size male, the HDL cholesterol level is between 40 and 50 mg/dl while in women the HDL range is from 50 to 60 mg/dl.
Your LDL (bad cholesterol) level is the best source for determining your risk of having a heart attack or having a stroke. It provides a better indication of your risk for heart disease than a total cholesterol level can provide.
A LDL level under 100 mg/dl is preferred. A level of 130 to 159 is considered borderline high and 160 to 189 mg/dl is considered to be a high LDL level. A level at 190 or higher is considered by experts to be very high. In order to avoid heart disease, heart attacks and strokes you should have your cholesterol checked to find out if you have a healthy cholesterol level.
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HDL Cholesterol: The “Good” Cholesterol
July 30th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
We know that cholesterol is an important factor in staying healthy. There have been a lot of studies and reports over the past 10 years that have linked high cholesterol numbers to an increased risk of heart and cardiovascular disease. But did you know that not all cholesterol needs to be low?
In addition to the "bad" cholesterol that can stick to the walls of the arteries and cause plaque to develop, there is also "good" cholesterol that can help the body to rid itself of these deposits by helping to eliminate them through the liver.
This type is called HDL cholesterol, and rather than bringing this number down, you should be striving to keep this count high. How high? A good HDL cholesterol number is one which is above 60. Anything lower than 40 is considered poor, and should be a cause for concern.
Raising The Numbers
If you are concerned about your HDL cholesterol, the next logical question will be how to raise that number higher? While there’s plenty advice available on how to lower the "bad" LDL cholesterol number, there isn’t as much information available on how to raise the HDL cholesterol level. Part of the reason for this is that we probably don’t have as much control over this number.
For instance, women tend to have higher HDL cholesterol levels prior to the menopausal years, primarily due to the hormones in her system. For some, when it comes to your HDL cholesterol number, you’ve got what you’ve got. However, there have been several studies that have shown there are certain methods that might effectively raise this number somewhat.
A diet which is low in carbohydrates may increase the HDL cholesterol count by as much as 10%, so stock up on the fruits, veggies and whole grains. It may also be helpful to cut back on substances like salt and fat and limit your caloric intake. Adding soy protein to your diet may also increase your HDL cholesterol by 3% or so.
Several studies have also shown that taking a daily vitamin supplement may help to raise the HDL levels significantly. You can also work to lower your LDL levels through a healthy diet, exercise and possible medications.
Cholesterol is a significant factor in heart disease, because the plaque deposits that can result from an unhealthy cholesterol number can make it more difficult for blood to pass through the arteries. This in turn forces your heart to work harder to pump the blood throughout your body, and thus puts a strain on this important organ. The end result can be a less healthy heart and a greater risk of heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular disease.
All of the above efforts can combine to bring your cholesterol levels to a healthy number that will greatly reduce your risk of heart disease.
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Side Effects Of Zocor And Other Drugs For Cholesterol Treatment
July 25th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
Zocor, generically known as simvastatin, is used as a cholesterol lowering drug which helps in blocking cholesterol production in the body. It aids in lowering low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level as well as total cholesterol level in the body. High cholesterol may lead to different critical health complications including heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular disorders.
Although Zocor helps in protecting body from these types of complications, there are significant side effects of Zocor like other drugs for treating cholesterol.
Side Effects Of Zocor
Many drugs offer side effects including Zocor for treating cholesterol which are simply difficult to avoid. In rare conditions, Zocor may lead to such conditions that may turn into collapsing skeletal muscle tissue, which may eventually lead to kidney failure. The common symptoms are unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, muscle weakness, fever or flue symptoms and dark-colored urine.
Doctors strongly discourage having Zocor and other cholesterol drugs for potential side effects especially at the time of pregnancy. Using Zocor during this time may lead to cause birth defects and may profoundly affect the fetal development in an adverse fashion.
In case you are on Zocor medication while not following a well-planned low cholesterol diet, it’s very unlikely that Zocor will be of any help in minimizing your LDL and total cholesterol level. In such case, like any other cholesterol drugs Zocor will offer side effects only without any kind of specific benefits. The common symptoms for Zocor include muscle pain, muscle weakness, nausea, constipation or diarrhea.
Other Significant Influencing Factors
Zocor shouldn’t be used if you are pregnant or suffering from kidney disease. Whether you have diabetes, hidden thyroid, or muscle disorder, you shouldn’t take Zocor prior consulting with doctor. As a matter of fact, it is always recommended to take doctor’s advice prior taking Zocor like any cholesterol drugs to avoid side effects.
If you are planning to become pregnant, you must discuss it with your doctor. In case if you are using this medication, you are strictly advised to undergo effective form of birth control. Till date no sufficient data have been found in support of whether cholesterol drugs like Zocor have any side effects on breast feeding practices, but you shouldn’t consume Zocor without informing it to doctor if you are breast feeding your baby.
Zocor and other cholesterol drugs may interact adversely in a few conditions. For instance, if you are taking Zocor and at the same time you are having diet rich in fat and cholesterol, you certainly don’t get any benefit from Zocor. You should abstain from taking alcohol when you are on Zocor medication because alcohol increases triglyceride level.
In point of fact, alcohol has a strong adverse effect on kidney function if you are on Zocor medication during that period. In fact, grapefruit and grapefruit juice may pose harmful side effects if used with Zocor.
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Good Cholesterol - Why Is It Good For You?
July 20th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
HDL cholesterol, also known as the good cholesterol has the ability to transport cholesterol found in the blood over to the liver which changes the cholesterol in a way to allow its removal from the body.
A few experts in the field claim that HDL can also eliminate excess cholesterol from what is known as arterial plaque which thereby decreases its buildup.
Whether you have the appropriate level of HDL in your body the chances are significantly decreased that the cholesterol located in your blood will form deposits in your coronary arteries. Keeping your LDL (bad cholesterol) at a low level and the HDL (good cholesterol) at a high level will decrease your risk of acquiring heart disease and atherosclerosis. HDL can actually protect your heart from disease.
Unfortunately, a few doctors still emphasize lowering the bad cholesterol to their patients and tend not to mention that they should make efforts to raise their good cholesterol level. This is unfortunate because a lot of people who have normal total cholesterol levels and normal bad cholesterol levels have a below normal amount of the good cholesterol in their bodies and hence are still at a higher risk than average for acquiring heart disease.
For adults who are 20 years old and older the National Cholesterol Education Program recommends you keep your total cholesterol level below 200 mg/dl, your HDL cholesterol level higher than 40 mg/dl and the LDL cholesterol level below 100 mg/dl.
Increase HDL (Good Cholesterol) With Diet Changes
Polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats are considered unsaturated fats and have been shown to decrease your LDL cholesterol level and increase your HDL level. Unsaturated fats can be found in vegetable oils, seeds and nuts. Polyunsaturated fats are contained in high levels in sunflower oil, soybean oil and corn oil. Monounsaturated fats are found in ample quantities in olive oil, canola oil and peanut oil.
It’s very important to eliminate or significantly reduce Trans fats form your diet, not only to lower the bad cholesterol level but also to increase your good cholesterol level. If a food item contains partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, eliminate it from your diet since they are considered to be Trans fats.
Experts recommend that you make certain you have the appropriate amount of soluble fiber in your diet. Soluble fiber is contained in some vegetables, fruits, oats, and legumes. Soluble fiber increases your good cholesterol level and decreases your bad cholesterol level.
Other Ways To Increase Your Good Cholesterol
Getting involved with aerobic exercises like jogging or riding a bicycle or even walking has been shown to increase your HDL level. If you are overweight, reducing your weight can cause an increase in your HDL level and it reduces your LDL level too.
For people who smoke tobacco, they can increase their good cholesterol level by quitting smoking. They have not yet developed a drug that is safe and significantly useful in raising good cholesterol so eating the good fats, eliminating the bad fats from your diet and exercising are a few approaches to raising your good cholesterol level.
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Why You Need To Take Cholesterol Test?
July 19th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
Doctors recommend to their patients to take a cholesterol test in order to evaluate the risk that their patients have of developing a disease such as heart disease. High cholesterol is also known to cause hardening of the arteries and heart attacks.
It’s now very common for people to have their cholesterol level checked as part of a preventive approach to healthcare.
Many experts suggest that all adults over 20 years of age take a cholesterol test about every 5 years. People who are utilizing a special diet or are taking cholesterol lowering drugs frequently have their cholesterol tested several times during a year to find out whether the diet or drugs are effective in lowering cholesterol. Usually people have a lipid profile done which tests for LDL (bad cholesterol), HDL (good cholesterol) and triglycerides.
Interpreting The Cholesterol Test Results
Experts have different thoughts on what is considered a desirable cholesterol level but below 200 mg/dl seems to be considered an acceptable level and suggests a small risk of a person acquiring heart disease. Whether your cholesterol level is from 200 to 240 mg/dl you are considered to have a moderate risk of getting heart disease.
Your doctor might order a lipid profile to determine if your high cholesterol level is due to the LDL, bad cholesterol or the HDL, good cholesterol.
Whether your cholesterol test shows a level over 240 mg/dl you are considered to be a high risk patient for acquiring heart disease. Your doctor will probably order a lipid profile test to determine the causes of your high level of cholesterol. After reviewing the cholesterol test results your doctor will probably design some type of treatment for you.
It’s preferred to measure a person’s cholesterol level when they are considered to be healthy since blood cholesterol levels can be reduced due to an acute illness, due to very recently having a heart attack, from having serious stress due to a recent surgery or serious stress due to an accident. Also, if a woman is pregnant she will often have an increase in her cholesterol level.
What Are The Causes of High Cholesterol?
Researchers and doctors believe that high cholesterol levels can be caused by an inherited disease or due to a person having a diet which is too high in saturated fats or a combination of a hereditary disease and unhealthy diet.
If the cholesterol test results indicate that your cholesterol level is too high, your doctor will usually recommend you to eliminate unhealthy fats from your diet.
If an improved diet doesn’t lower your cholesterol to acceptable levels, your doctor might prescribe drugs to reduce your cholesterol levels such as statins. It’s a good idea to check with your doctor and find out how often you should take a cholesterol test.
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Know About Cholesterol Ratio
July 18th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
When considering your cholesterol level, in many cases you are provided with your total blood cholesterol level, however, something more is required to understand the clear picture of your health. You should know about LDL, HDL and most importantly about cholesterol ratio.
As common practice suggests, the diagnostic tests take into account four factors, namely, total blood cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
Now, in many cases, cholesterol ratio is defined as the value retrieved from the total cholesterol level divided by the HDL level. In addition, some researchers and doctors also consider cholesterol ratio as per dividing LDL by HDL.
American Heart Association (AHA) considers 3.5:1 as the optimum ratio for total blood cholesterol to HDL and always recommends keeping this ratio lower than 5:1. For LDL to HDL the ratio should be lower than 3:1.
Calculation of Cholesterol Ratio
Cholesterol ratio is also referred to as cardiac risk ratio. Whether it is greater than 7:1, it is assumed as a warning. Now we look at it in more details. Say, your total cholesterol level and HDL level are 200mg/dL and 50mg/dL respectively. Then your cholesterol ratio is 4:1. You can get this ratio by simply dividing the former value by the later one. Ideally, your cholesterol ratio may be within 3:1, however, below 5:1 ratio is good for maintaining a healthy balance.
Higher ratio difference implies higher risk for developing heart problem, whereas lower difference ensures lower risk for the same. Quite obviously, high level of total cholesterol and low level of HDL heightens the ratio, which is absolutely undesirable. On the other hand, higher HDL and lower total cholesterol lower the ratio value, which is truly desirable.
Blood Cholesterol Ratio and Cardiovascular Risk
The HDL to LDL ratio and total cholesterol to HDL ratio are more relevant compared to total blood cholesterol level in terms of diagnosing the possible risk for coronary heart disease, heart attack, arteriosclerosis, and other cardiovascular disorder. For instance, if somebody has LDL to HDL ratio less than 2.5, that implies he is in safe condition. But if the ratio becomes higher than 3, it may turn out to be an indicator for possible complications.
On the other hand, total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol ratio is beneficial in analyzing probable risk for atherosclerosis. The best defined ratio is lower than 4:1. As a matter of fact, some health practitioners recommend using total cholesterol to HDL ratio instead of total cholesterol level. The LDL to HDL ratio is considered as a pure ratio and perfect. This LDL to HDL cholesterol ratio is thought to be a better marker for cardiovascular complications.
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