What Can Cholesterol Do?
High cholesterol is one of the major controllable risk factors for coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke. As your blood
cholesterol rises, so does your risk of coronary heart disease. If you have other risk factors (such as high blood pressure or diabetes) as well as high cholesterol, this risk increases even more. The more risk factors you have, the greater your chance of developing coronary heart disease. Also, the greater the level of each risk factor, the more that factor affects your overall risk.When too much LDL (bad) cholesterol circulates in the blood, it can slowly build up in the inner walls of the arteries that feed the heart and brain. Together with other substances, it can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can narrow the arteries and make them less flexible. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. If a clot forms and blocks a narrowed artery, a heart attack or stroke can result.
cholesterol rises, so does your risk of coronary heart disease. If you have other risk factors (such as high blood pressure or diabetes) as well as high cholesterol, this risk increases even more. The more risk factors you have, the greater your chance of developing coronary heart disease. Also, the greater the level of each risk factor, the more that factor affects your overall risk.When too much LDL (bad) cholesterol circulates in the blood, it can slowly build up in the inner walls of the arteries that feed the heart and brain. Together with other substances, it can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can narrow the arteries and make them less flexible. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. If a clot forms and blocks a narrowed artery, a heart attack or stroke can result.Add comment December 20, 2007
Sources of Cholesterol
Cholesterol comes from two sources: your body and food. Your liver and other cells in your body make about 75 percent of
blood cholesterol. The other 25 percent comes from the foods you eat.LDL cholesterol is the “bad” cholesterol. When too much of it circulates in the blood, it can clog arteries, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
blood cholesterol. The other 25 percent comes from the foods you eat.LDL cholesterol is the “bad” cholesterol. When too much of it circulates in the blood, it can clog arteries, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
LDL cholesterol is produced naturally by the body, but many people inherit genes from their mother, father or even grandparents that cause them to make too much. Eating saturated fat, trans fats and dietary cholesterol also increases how much you have. If high blood cholesterol runs in your family, lifestyle modifications may not be enough to help lower your LDL blood cholesterol. Everyone is different, so work with your doctor to find a treatment plan that’s best for you.
Add comment December 20, 2007
