How do HDL cholesterol levels affect you and the level of your health? Fortunately, a high cholesterol is a risk factor that can be controlled to prevent heart disease and coronary problems. If there are any other health problems that you may have, such as diabetes then the risk may increase. The more risks that you have pertaining to your overall health, the greater risk you have when it comes to your cholesterol level. When there’s a great deal of LDL, or low density lipoproteins, then the inner walls of your arteries can be built up to prevent your blood from flowing to your heart and your brain. The plaque that is built up inside of your arteries is a very thick deposit that can decrease the flexibility of your arteries; and is otherwise known as atherosclerosis. When the clot forms then the body is much more prevalent to a stroke or a heart attack.
HDL cholesterol levels affect you because it will in turn affect the health of your heart. Many who suffer from a low amount of high density lipoproteins also suffer from coronary heart disease. Low density lipoproteins are produced naturally by your body and if you have a high amount of them then it may be hereditary or a result of bad eating habits. When there is too much saturated fat, or a high percentage of fat taken into your body then there will be a significant increase in the amount of low density lipoproteins throughout the body.
If you think that you may be affected by unhealthy HDL cholesterol levels, then you can and should be tested. There will be a small sample of blood drawn from your arm and analyzed by a laboratory. After the tests have been taken then your doctor will tell you what type of cholesterol you have and what type of precaution you should take. You will have to fast from food, beverages and medications before the blood is drawn. The HDL and LDL will be affected immediately after you have taken in calories or liquids. The number of low density lipoproteins will determine the treatment plan that you will have to take.
The NCEP (National Cholesterol Education Program) guidelines help a doctor to determine your high cholesterol. You should have your cholesterol checked more than once; the minimum is checking it every five years. If your cholesterol is more than 200 mg/dL or the count of your high density lipoproteins are less than 40 mg/dL than you should consider going more often than once every five years. If you are over the age of 45-50 then it will be a bit more difficult for your body to distribute high density lipoproteins, and you may suffer more from an unhealthy level of cholesterol.
There are significant methods of reducing unhealthy HDL cholesterol levels. Exercising regularly and eating foods that do not contain saturated fat will help you to live a longer life. High density lipoproteins are required for the human body to reduce the clogging of arteries. LDL is very harmful to the body in a variety of ways. If the fatty substance in your cholesterol gets blocked the blood that transports itself to your heart and your brain will not flow properly therefore you are not receiving enough protein or oxygen.
Gaining a healthy food intake is the most beneficial habit that an individual can adopt if they are close to obtaining an unhealthy level of cholesterol. Foods that are rich in fiber and foods that contain garlic and non-fatty substances will help to decrease the amount of low density lipoproteins. Packaged foods and red meat are very high in saturated fats and will worsen HDL cholesterol levels. If after a healthy diet and a sufficient amount of exercise you cannot decrease the unhealthy cholesterol that you have within your body then you can turn to medications prescribed by your doctor that will keep your lipoproteins working in full effect to aide your liver and the blood transfused to your cardiovascular system. Although cholesterol is created and distributed naturally by the body you can still increase the good cholesterol by watching your diet and getting enough exercise at least five days a week. High density lipoproteins will preserve the function of your brain cell function and will resist the mental decline that is prevalent as aging occurs.
Advertisement
