High levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol can build up in the blood vessels and cause heart attacks or strokes. Conversely, high levels of “good” HDL cholesterol can help lower the risk of these health issues. HDL cholesterol carries cholesterol to the liver, where it is eliminated. While lifestyle habits and your genes can play a role in your cholesterol levels, routine blood tests can help you find out if you have high LDL cholesterol. If you do, you may need to make lifestyle changes.
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol
The levels of HDL and LDL cholesterol can be measured by taking a blood test. High levels of HDL are considered to be protective against heart disease. People with levels of HDL above 40 mg/dL are usually considered to be healthy. If you’re not sure of your cholesterol levels, it’s best to visit your doctor for a test.
Cholesterol is waxy substance that builds up in our arteries. While it is not completely bad, cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and even death. Plaque formation in arteries can also lead to intestinal damage, peripheral arterial disease, and other serious illnesses. Genetic and lifestyle factors contribute to elevated cholesterol levels. Twenty percent of the population is estimated to have high cholesterol levels.
High-density lipoprotein ( HDL) cholesterol is the “good” cholesterol. It carries cholesterol from the cells and helps the body make many essential hormones. However, too much of it can lead to atherosclerosis and heart disease. A healthy amount of HDL cholesterol is important for the health of your heart.
HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol are both beneficial and bad. Too much LDL cholesterol can narrow your blood vessels. When LDL cholesterol builds up, a clot may form in the narrow space, resulting in a heart attack or stroke. The “good” cholesterol, or HDL, will help to move the LDL cholesterol back to the liver. The liver will break down the LDL cholesterol and remove it from your body.
To increase HDL and lower LDL cholesterol, you should exercise regularly. Aerobic exercise has been found to boost HDL and lower LDL cholesterol levels. It is recommended to do 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise most days of the week. Additionally, quit smoking! Your health care provider will be able to provide you with assistance with quitting.
Very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol
VLDL cholesterol is an important component of your lipid profile. High levels of VLDL put you at risk of developing cardiovascular disease and stroke. Doctors can measure your levels through a lipid profile, a blood test that measures the amount of different fats in your blood. VLDL cholesterol levels that are over 30 milligrams per deciliter are considered abnormal and may increase your risk of heart disease.
This type of cholesterol carries triglycerides to cells and tissues. High levels of VLDL can damage arteries and cause plaques to form on the walls of blood vessels. This process is known as atherosclerosis and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. The American Association for Clinical Chemistry recommends that VLDL cholesterol levels be less than 30 mg/dl. The level of VLDL cholesterol in your blood is measured as a percentage of triglyceride levels.
VLDL cholesterol is produced by the liver and released into the bloodstream. This type of cholesterol contains the most triglycerides and raises your risk of heart disease. VLDL cholesterol levels are often the determining factor when determining your risk for heart disease.
A study found that genetic mutations in the lipoprotein lipase gene result in enlarged VLDL particles in people with metabolic syndrome. This mutation also affects the production of lipoprotein lipase, a protein that breaks down VLDL. However, this gene mutation is not the only culprit. Another genetic mutation associated with high VLDL levels is the hepatic lipase gene.
Moreover, researchers have found a relationship between remnant cholesterol and coronary disease risk. While it is still unclear whether these two factors are causally related, the findings of these studies suggest that they may be linked. In addition, high levels of apoB-containing lipoproteins are associated with a greater risk of myocardial infarction.
LDL cholesterol
When you have high LDL cholesterol, your blood carries too much of this waxy substance, called “bad cholesterol”. This cholesterol deposits on the walls of arteries, resulting in clogged blood vessels. This narrowing can cause symptoms such as angina and heart attacks. Fortunately, you can reduce the amount of LDL cholesterol in your blood by raising the levels of HDL.
While it’s not healthy to have too much cholesterol in your blood, your body does need a certain amount of cholesterol to function properly. The liver produces lipoproteins (composed of fats and proteins) that carry cholesterol to the different parts of your body. Too much LDL cholesterol can cause a number of health problems, including coronary artery disease, heart attack, and stroke. Too much LDL cholesterol can also cause fatty buildups in arteries, which form plaques and narrow the arteries. But it’s important to remember that your body needs a certain amount of LDL cholesterol for cell repair.
Your liver produces cholesterol, which helps your body make many important substances. Cholesterol is needed for the production of cell membranes, many hormones, and vitamin D. Cholesterol in your blood comes from food and from your liver, which makes all the cholesterol you need for your body. It travels through the bloodstream as spherical particles called lipoproteins. The low-density lipoproteins (LDL) contribute to the buildup of plaque in arteries, which increases your risk of heart attack and stroke.
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is called “good” cholesterol. It is the type of cholesterol found in your blood that helps your body make hormones. In the right amount, cholesterol can be beneficial for you. Just be sure to check with your physician if your cholesterol levels are too high.
Triglycerides
Keeping triglycerides and LDL cholesterol levels in the healthy range is important for the health of your heart. Your diet is a big part of how your body produces cholesterol. Most of your cholesterol comes from saturated fats, which are found in fatty foods, and you should limit your intake to 5 to 7 percent of your total calories. The good news is that you can increase your HDL cholesterol levels and lower your LDL cholesterol levels by eating a healthier diet and increasing your physical activity.
While the level of triglycerides and LDL cholesterol in the blood is associated with risk for coronary heart disease, it is less commonly used as a predictor of risk in people with elevated levels. It’s a useful tool for monitoring patients with elevated cholesterol levels and following their progress after lowering them. A desirable level of LDL cholesterol is less than 130 mg/dL. High levels fall between 160 and 189 mg/dL, while extremely high levels fall above 190 mg/dL.
People with high triglyceride levels have a higher risk of a heart attack or a stroke. They should exercise more and eat a heart-healthy diet with less sugar and saturated fat. They should also control their diabetes and blood pressure, and lose weight if necessary. If they have an excessive level of triglycerides, their doctors may prescribe cholesterol-lowering drugs, like statins.
A study of 374 individuals revealed that TG and LDL cholesterol levels were strongly associated with coronary heart disease. Among the subjects, 165 (60.2%) were male and 109 (40.9%) were female. The mean total cholesterol and triglycerides levels in the study subjects’ blood were 210 + 50 mg/dL, while LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol levels were 137.3 + 46 mg/dL. A ratio of TG/HDL-c and Friesinger index of 6.9 + 4.4 was associated with coronary artery disease and hypertension in the study.
Exercise
There are several benefits to exercise, including helping to maintain a healthy weight and build muscle. Studies have also shown that exercise can help to reduce cholesterol levels. Although the mechanism behind the effect is unclear, the association between exercise and cholesterol reduction is clear. Exercise can activate enzymes that move LDL from the bloodstream to the liver. Once in the liver, LDL is converted to bile and excreted from the body.
There is no specific amount of exercise necessary to reduce cholesterol levels, though most health organizations recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise per day. A variety of activities, including walking, jogging, cycling, and gardening, can be helpful for reducing LDL levels.
Several studies have shown that moderate-intensity exercise can reduce LDL cholesterol by as much as 13%. It also lowers total cholesterol and the ratio of LDL cholesterol to HDL cholesterol. In addition, exercise can increase HDL cholesterol.
Researchers have shown that aerobic exercise can reduce LDL cholesterol levels. In fact, exercise can prevent a variety of diseases, including heart disease, breast and colon cancer, diabetes, and depression. Exercise is also beneficial for the brain. People who exercise regularly tend to have larger brains than those who do not exercise. The key is to start small. If you don’t feel up to an hour of vigorous exercise, you can start with 30 minutes of brisk walking a day. It’s even better if you do a variety of activities.
Exercise also helps improve blood pressure. Physical activity improves blood vessel function and reduces LDL cholesterol levels. If your blood pressure is 120 mmHg or higher, it’s considered elevated.
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