High Cholesterol: An Introduction

a medical chart showing cholesterol levels

Cholesterol is found in animal fat. High cholesterol information says that about 20 percent of the cholesterol in our bodies is obtained from the animal fat that we get from our diets, which is why we need high cholesterol information in the first place.

The body will normally produce cholesterol through the liver and intestines. When our diets constantly contain too much animal fat, in addition to what the body normally produces then the body has a difficult time with cholesterol control. High cholesterol information will tell us how cholesterol becomes dangerous when the fat levels in the blood become too high.

High LDL Cholesterol Symptoms

The bad thing about an overabundance of cholesterol is that it is a very silent killer, doing unseen damage to our bodies. There can be some very vague symptoms such as dizziness, a generalized ill feeling, or some shortness of breath. There are generally no symptoms that one has high cholesterol until it has caused a heart attack or stroke. Yearly physicals are important along with yearly blood draws. This will keep cholesterol control in check. Yearly checks help the doctor to keep cholesterol within normal range and will avoid unforeseen problems with a stroke or heart attack.

High LDL Cholesterol Treatment

To treat elevated cholesterol, and do a good job at cholesterol control, one will have to undergo lifestyle changes. If you want to live a healthy, quality life, free from high risk of stroke and heart attack then lifestyle changes and reading all you can about high cholesterol information are going to be essential for a healthy quality of life. Avoid foods laden with saturated fats. Learn to read product labels. Smoking has a big bearing on cholesterol control. You will have to exercise at least three times a week for at least 20 minutes, to keep cholesterol control in check.

Your doctor may prescribe a cholesterol lowering drug for cholesterol control and it will be important to take this as directed. It is very important to have a blood level drawn at least every year to determine your cholesterol level. This will help the doctor to know if he needs to prescribe a cholesterol lowering medication.

A diet to lower LDL may also be necessary. In fact, this is one of the best ways to keep your cholesterol in check. Luckily, there are numerous foods to lower LDL, which means you can still have delicious and varied meals. These include oatmeal, salmon, almonds, and olive oil.

High Cholesterol Causes

High cholesterol information says that this can be genetic in nature. If your parents had a high cholesterol problem then this puts you at risk also. High cholesterol information warns that a diet high if fat content, lack of exercise, smoking, high blood pressure, a low HDL (high density lipoprotein) level, diabetes, a family history for coronary heart disease and a regular intake of alcohol are all possible risks for high cholesterol. There are two groups of fats in the body, cholesterol and triglycerides. These are a main source for the body's energy. They work together and are necessary for a healthy body. Everyone knows that too much of a good thing is not good.

The same holds true for these fats because an overproduction of them can cause heart disease, stroke and make arteries to become clogged with a build up of these fats, putting cholesterol control out of range. No matter what illness the body is trying to fight it tries to repair itself. In high cholesterol it will try to override this fat build-up, but if one continues to eat a high fat diet then it will be too much for the body to handle to heal itself naturally. The body will not be able to maintain a safe cholesterol level, then serious health risks arise.