risk factors of cholesterol

A person's risk for heart disease and elevated blood cholesterol levels is affected by many factors. First, let's look at those risk factors we cannot control: age, sex and heredity. As we get older, blood cholesterol levels naturally rise; coronary artery disease (CAD) primarily affects those older than 40. Males are more likely to develop CAD than females who are premenopausal (have not gone through menopause). Family history of heart disease is an automatic risk factor to be taken very seriously. People with a known family history of CAD can alter their lifestyles to reduce their chances of developing CAD. Family history is defined as a family member (parents, siblings, first degree relative) who develop heart disease before the age of 60, risk factors of cholesterol article

There are several risk factors that can be controlled: diet, physical activity, smoking, hypertension and diabetes. Saturated fats and foods high in cholesterol can raise your LDLs and total cholesterol levels. Decreasing blood cholesterol levels not only decreases the risk but slows the progression for those who already have been diagnosed with CAD. People who are obese have a tendency to have high LDL and low HDL levels, risk factors of cholesterol article

Likewise, physical inactivity can also worsen your cholesterol levels. Aerobic exercise and loss of body fat can improve cholesterol levels by raising the HDL levels and lowering LDL and total cholesterol levels in the blood.

Smoking greatly increases your risk for developing CAD by constricting your blood vessels, reducing HDL levels and facilitating the development of CAD. Smoking is also associated with higher triglyceride and total cholesterol levels.

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a major risk factor for heart attack. Hypertension causes the walls in your arteries to thicken and harden. It also decreases the elasticity or stretchiness in your arteries, requiring your heart to work harder. In most cases the cause of hypertension is unknown. Many people with hypertension can improve their blood pressure through diet, exercise, and limiting their consumption of alcohol. Antihypertensive medications may be prescribed for those patients who are unable to control their blood pressure through diet and exercise, risk factors of cholesterol article

Diabetes also affects our risk for CAD through the development of neuropathies and decreased circulation. Diabetic neuropathies are disorders of the peripheral nervous system that involve a loss of sensation of pain, pressure and temperature in the extremities. Weight loss and diet control can prevent the development of adult onset diabetes. Medication is often used to help some diabetics control their condition. Changing the factors that we can control can significantly decrease the risk for heart disease, risk factors of cholesterol article

Your cholesterol results can give your physician an indication of your risk level for heart disease. Your physician will look at a combination of your lab results as well as your other potential risk factors for heart disease to make a definitive diagnosis and recommendation. Be sure to discuss your lab results with your physician. Together you can come up with a plan to reduce your risk for heart disease, risk factors of cholesterol article