All Things Cholesterol

10
Things to know All things Cholesterol

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What do you know about cholesterol?

Transcript of All Things Cholesterol

Page 1: All Things Cholesterol

Things to know

All things Cholesterol

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Facts on Cholesterol• Made by body, consumed in fats• Too much cholesterol can be deposited in

arteries, lead to disease• Lowering cholesterol can lower risk of dying of

heart disease. Includes those with heart disease as well as those without.

• View slideshow: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/managingcholesterol/htm/_yes_50_no_0.htm

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LDL and HDL

• Cholesterol can't dissolve in the blood.

• Has to be transported by special carriers called lipoproteins.

• Although several kinds, focus on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL).

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LDL• Low-density lipoprotein :major cholesterol carrier in the blood. • Too much LDL cholesterol can slowly build up in the walls of the

arteries, forming plaque that can clog those arteries (atherosclerosis.)

• A clot (thrombus) that forms near plaque can block blood flow to heart and cause a heart attack or can block the blood flow to part of the brain, a stroke results.

• High level of LDL cholesterol (160 mg/dL and above) reflects an increased risk of heart disease. That's why LDL cholesterol is called "bad" cholesterol.

• Lower levels of LDL cholesterol reflect lower risk of heart disease.

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HDL• About one-third to one-fourth of blood cholesterol is

carried by HDL. • Medical experts think HDL carries cholesterol away from

the arteries and back to the liver, where it's passed from the body.

• Some believe HDL removes excess cholesterol from plaques and thus slows their growth.

• HDL cholesterol is "good" cholesterol because high HDL seems to protect against heart attack.

• Low HDL level (less than 40 mg/dL in men; less than 50 mg/dL in women) indicates a greater risk. A low HDL cholesterol level also may raise stroke risk.

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Cholesterol and diet• Body (liver mostly) produces cholesterol, usually about 1,000

milligrams a day. • Foods also can contain cholesterol. Animal sources include egg

yolks, meat, poultry, shellfish and whole- and reduced-fat milk and dairy products.

• Plant sources (fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and seeds) don't contain cholesterol.

• Typically body makes all the cholesterol it needs. • Saturated fatty acids main culprit in raising blood cholesterol. • Trans fats also raise blood cholesterol. • Average American man consumes about 337 milligrams of

cholesterol a day; the average woman, 217 milligrams.

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Physical Activity (and lack of it)• Exercise helps lower triglycerides, (linked to coronary artery

disease).• Exercise raises HDL, or the “good” cholesterol, linked with a lower

risk of heart disease. • Physical activity also controls weight, diabetes and high blood

pressure. • Even moderate-intensity activities, if done daily, help reduce your

risk. Examples are walking for pleasure, gardening, yard work, housework, dancing and prescribed home exercise.

• Experts recommend three forms of exercise– Aerobics to get your heart rate up– Strength training to build muscle– Flexibility exercises like stretching to keep you limber

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Physical Activity (more)• For cholesterol health, the frequency and the amount of

time spent exercising are most important elements• Ideal: At least half an hour of exercise, five to six days a

week• “The effect of exercise on cholesterol is important, but

the overall effects are more important. You’re getting many other cardiovascular benefits: lowering your blood pressure, improving diabetes, and reducing your risk of heart attack and stroke. Exercise is really the right elixir.” (Patrick McBride, MD, MPH, director of the preventive cardiology program and the cholesterol clinic at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.)

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Tobacco and Alcohol• Tobacco smoke is one of the six major risk factors of heart disease

that you can change or treat. Smoking lowers HDL cholesterol levels and increases the tendency for blood to clot.

• Some studies: moderate alcohol is linked with higher HDL. However, alcohol involves risks. Use moderation

• People who consume moderate amounts of alcohol have a lower risk of heart disease than nondrinkers.

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CHECK YOUR CHOLESTEROL TODAY!

All Things Cholesterol