THE CHOLESTEROL IS DANGEROUS

                       CHOLESTEROL          
      Cholesterol, like fat, cannot move around the bloodstream on its own because it does not 

mix with water. The bloodstream carries cholesterol in particles called lipoproteins that are like 

blood-borne cargo trucks delivering cholesterol 

to various body tissues to be used, 

stored or excreted. But too much of this circulating 

cholesterol can injure arteries, especially the coronary 

ones that supply the heart. This leads 

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to accumulation of cholesterol-laden 

“plaque” in vessel linings, a condition called 

atherosclerosis.


     When blood flow to the heart is impeded, the heart 

muscle becomes starved for oxygen, 

causing chest pain (angina). If a blood clot completely 

obstructs a coronary artery affected by 

atherosclerosis, a heart attack (myocardial infarction) or death can occur.


     Are you at risk? Cardiovascular disease is still one of the greatest health problem 

affecting western countries. According to the American Heart Foundation, over 70 million 


Americans have cardiovascular disease (CVD). The national cost of is nearly $400 billion and 

every 45 seconds an American has a stoke.

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Certain risk factors increase your chances of developing cardiovascular disease.


  1. Overweight

  2. High blood cholesterol

  3. Insufficient physical activity

  4. High blood pressure  
  5. Smoking  
  6. Excessive alcohol intake  
   7. Diabetes


      Many people have multiple risk factors for heart disease and the level of risk increases  

with the number of risk factors. By reducing these risk factors you can largely prevent the 

onset of cardiovascular disease. On its own elevated blood cholesterol is not necessarily a 

problem, but coupled with one or more other risk factors for heart disease, it is often the 

straw that breaks the camel’s back.


      It is, therefore, very important to know what your cholesterol levels are and to keep 

them at a healthy level before you have any problems.


   High risk cholesterol


      If your total cholesterol level is 240 or more, it’s definitely high. You have a higher risk of 

heart attack and stroke. In fact, you should have your LDL and HDL cholesterol tested. Ask 

your doctor for advice. Close to 20 percent of the U.S. population has high blood cholesterol 

levels.

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     Borderline-high risk


     People whose total cholesterol is 200 to 239 mg/dL have borderline-high cholesterol. 


About a third of American adults are in this group, while almost half of adults have total 

cholesterol levels below 200 mg/dL. In fact, people who have a total cholesterol of 240 

mg/dL have twice the risk of coronary heart disease as people whose cholesterol level is 200 

mg/dL. Does physical activity affect cholesterol?


    Other factors that affect blood cholesterol levels:


    Heredity High cholesterol often runs in families. Even though specific genetic causes have 

been identified in only a minority of cases, genes still play a role in influencing blood 

cholesterol levels. If your parents have high cholesterol, you need to be tested to see if your 

cholesterol levels are also elevated.

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       Age and gender Before menopause, women tend to have total cholesterol levels lower 

than men at the same age. Cholesterol levels naturally rise as men and women age. 

Menopause is often associated with increases in LDL cholesterol in women.


       Stress Studies have not shown stress to be directly inked to cholesterol levels. But 

experts say that because people sometimes eat fatty foods to console themselves when 

under stress, this can cause higher blood cholesterol.


     Excess weight Being overweight tends to increase blood cholesterol levels. Losing weight 

has been shown to help lower levels. A greater risk of increased cholesterol levels occurs 

when that extra weight is centered in the abdominal region, as opposed to the legs or 

buttocks. 
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