Why is high cholesterol a problem?
The main risk associated with high cholesterol is cardiovascular disease. High cholesterol causes blood vessels to become narowed with fatty deposits called plaques. This can result in heart attacks and strokes. Anyone over the age of 35 should consider having their cholesterol checked if they have a family history of heart diesase, high blood pressure, diabetes of if they smoke.
What causes high cholesterol?
Factors that may contribute to high blood cholesterol include:
- A diet that's high in saturated fat
- Lack of exercise
- Family history of heart disease
- Being overweight
- Age
- High alcohol consumption
Types of cholesterol
Cholesterol is transported around the body in the blood attached to a protein - called lipoprotein. The old common conception was that there are just two kinds of cholesterol identified by how much protein there is in relation to fat:
- HDL (high density lipoprotein)which helps keep arteries clear.
- LDL (low density lipoprotein) which blocks arteries and can lead to heart attacks.
Conventional testing measures your HDL and LDL cholesterol levels and helps to predict your cardiovascular health risk. The problem is that the story is not as simple as 'good' and 'bad' cholesterol as there are at least 7 types of LDL. Research has shown 4 of them are most closely linked to heart disease risk.
There are at least 5 types of HDL and one of them is especially helpful in lowering the risk fo heart attacks. Conventional tests don't measure these lipoprotein 'subclasses' therefore many people may think they have a low risk of heart disease.
Blood pressure drug could stop diabetes patients developing retinopathy
Candesartan is a type of drug used to treat hypert... (Click here)