Dr Mohit Tandon, Consultant Non-invasive Cardiologist at Fortis Escorts Hospital, Okhla-New Delhi says that heart related diseases are responsible for 18.6 million deaths every year. , including India. While there are many risk factors, high cholesterol is an important one. Let us find out what cholesterol is, how it affects heart health and what steps should be taken to keep cholesterol levels under control.
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol, a fat-like waxy substance made by your body (liver) and partially absorbed from food, is needed to form cell membranes, the insulation of your nerves, and to make hormones and vitamins, says Dr. Tandon. However, when it is high – bad cholesterol or LDL (low-density lipoprotein) can build up in your arteries, leading to heart attack and stroke.
how does cholesterol affect the heart
Cholesterol mainly consists of HDL (high-density lipoprotein), which is considered good cholesterol, and LDL (low-density lipoprotein), which is considered bad cholesterol. HDL helps keep your arteries free from a cholesterol-building process called atherosclerosis. Meanwhile, LDL or bad cholesterol gets deposited in the walls of your arteries, making them hard and narrow. These arteries are connected to your heart and brain, and an obstructed blood supply can lead to heart attacks and strokes, explains Dr. Tandon. The buildup happens gradually over a period and so screening by blood tests becomes important, he says. The test used to detect cholesterol is known as a lipid profile.
What should be your ideal cholesterol level?
Dr Tandon explains:
total cholesterol <200 is desirable
HDL >60 is desirable and protective
LDL < 100 is optimal
Triglycerides <150 is optimal
Cholesterol deposits can occur around the eyes, in joint areas and on the skin, in some people with genetic disorders and in those with very high levels of cholesterol.
What Affects Cholesterol Levels And How To Keep Your Heart Healthy
Dr Mohit Tandon tells us about the various factors that affect the level of cholesterol in the blood and steps to take to keep your heart healthy:
diet: Deep-fried foods, foods prepared in hydrogenated or solid oils, non-vegetarian fat-rich foods, and processed carbohydrates all raise LDL and triglycerides. While a diet full of green leafy vegetables, whole grains and fruits lowers LDL.
exercise: Regular exercise at least 5 days a week – either 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise – helps raise HDL and lower LDL, which lowers your risk of heart disease. it happens. Don’t be a couch potato.
weight: In obese people, losing weight helps optimize their cholesterol levels and also lowers the risk of developing heart disease and diabetes in the future.
Age and Gender: As we age, our cholesterol levels rise with a drop in HDL; In women, especially after menopause, the difference is clear, and so living a healthy lifestyle, eating clean, and getting health checkups becomes more important as we age.
Heredity: Sometimes high cholesterol can run in families and may be responsible for an early heart attack or a family history of heart attacks and can be detected on a cholesterol level checkup or test. Such individuals should seek medical care as they may need to be started on cholesterol-lowering medications.
medical conditions: Sometimes certain medical conditions like hypothyroidism, and kidney and liver related diseases can raise your cholesterol, but they return to normal with the correction of the underlying problems.
Medicines: Certain medications, such as long-term steroids and hormones such as progestin, can raise LDL and lower HDL. So eat healthy, avoid fast and junk food, eat home cooked food, exercise daily and lose weight. And if you are 40 years and above or with risk factors such as being overweight, family history of heart disease, stressful and sedentary lifestyle, smoker – get your tests done for a healthy heart.