
Understanding cholesterol and how it affects your heart
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Did you know that your body actually needs cholesterol to stay healthy? It's true! But like many things in life, too much of it can cause problems, especially for your heart. These days, heart disease is one of the biggest health challenges we face. In fact, it's the leading cause of death worldwide. And high cholesterol plays a big part in this problem.
That’s why understanding cholesterol is so important. The good news is that you can do many things to keep your cholesterol at healthy levels, from eating better to staying active.
Let's explore what cholesterol is, why it matters, and, most importantly, how you can keep it at healthy levels to protect your heart.
What is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like material that's naturally found in your body. Your body (especially your liver) is clever - it makes most of the cholesterol you need all by itself!
What Does It Do?
Your body uses cholesterol to:
- Build healthy cells.
- Make vitamins that help you absorb certain foods.
- Produce hormones that help control things like stress and growth.
Where Does It Come From?
There are two primary sources of cholesterol:
- Your body makes it (mostly in your liver).
- The foods you eat (especially animal products like meat, cheese, and eggs).
The Different Types of Cholesterol
When people talk about cholesterol, they often don't realise it comes in different types. Let's meet each one:
LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) - ‘Bad’ Cholesterol
LDL cholesterol is also called 'bad' because it can stick to your blood vessel walls, much like gum sticks to a table. When too much builds up, it can clog your arteries, making it harder for blood to reach your heart.
HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) - ‘Good’ Cholesterol
HDL is the good guy of the cholesterol family. It acts like a tiny vacuum cleaner in your blood vessels, picking up extra bad cholesterol and carrying it back to your liver to be broken down. The higher your HDL levels, the better protected your heart is.
Triglycerides
While not exactly cholesterol, triglycerides are part of the family, too. They're a type of fat in your blood that your body uses for energy. However, having too many triglycerides can cause problems and raise your risk of heart disease.
How Cholesterol Affects Heart Health?
Let's talk about how cholesterol affects your heart. When cholesterol causes problems, it's like having traffic jams on these important roads. Here's what happens:
Plaque Formation
When too much bad cholesterol floats around in your blood, it starts sticking to your artery walls. Over time, this buildup becomes hard and waxy. This forms what doctors call ‘plaque.’
Narrowing of Arteries
As more plaque builds up, your arteries become narrower. This makes it harder for blood to flow through, forcing your heart to work much harder to pump blood through these narrow passages.
Blood Clot Risks
The rough patches of plaque can sometimes crack or tear. If these clots completely block an artery, it can lead to a heart attack or stroke by blocking the blood supply to the heart or brain.
Overall Heart Strain
Your heart is like a pump that never stops working. When arteries are clogged with cholesterol, they have to pump harder to push blood through. This extra work can wear your heart out over time, leading to heart problems and high blood pressure.
How To Understand Your Cholesterol Numbers?
Many people get nervous when their doctor talks about cholesterol numbers. Let's break down what these numbers mean:
Total Cholesterol Number
A healthy total cholesterol number should generally be below 200. Your doctor will want to know more about your ‘good’ and ‘bad' cholesterol levels to get the complete picture of your heart health.
LDL (Bad) Cholesterol Target
For most healthy adults, LDL should be under 100. If you have heart disease or diabetes, your doctor might want this number even lower, usually under 70, to better protect your heart.
HDL (Good) Cholesterol Goal
Higher HDL numbers are better. Men should aim for HDL above 40, while women should aim for above 50. Having HDL over 60 is even better and can help protect against heart disease.
Triglycerides Level
Healthy triglycerides should be under 150. High triglycerides often go hand in hand with high bad cholesterol, making it extra important to keep them in check.
How Often to Check?
Most healthy adults should check their cholesterol every 4-6 years but don't wait that long if you have risk factors like family history or high blood pressure.
Natural Ways to Manage Cholesterol
Before jumping into medications, there are many natural ways to keep your cholesterol in check. Here's what you can do:
- Eat Heart-Healthy Foods: Choose immune-boosting foods rich in fibre like oats, beans, and fresh fruits - they act like sponges to soak up bad cholesterol.
- Add Good Fats to Your Diet: Consume foods with healthy fats, such as olive oil, avocados, and nuts—they help boost good cholesterol levels.
- Exercise Regularly: Just 30 minutes of walking, swimming, or biking most days can help raise good cholesterol and lower the bad kind.
- Quit Smoking: Smoking lowers your good cholesterol and makes it harder for your body to transport cholesterol to your liver.
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Limit Alcohol: Keep alcohol intake moderate - too much can raise your cholesterol and triglycerides.
Medical Treatments for High Cholesterol
Sometimes, diet and exercise aren't enough to control cholesterol. That's when doctors might recommend medications.
Statins - The Most Common Treatment
Statins are the most widely used cholesterol medicine. They tell your liver to make less cholesterol and help remove existing bad cholesterol from your blood. Common names include atorvastatin (Lipitor) and simvastatin (Zocor).
Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors
These medicines work in your digestive system. They stop your body from absorbing cholesterol from the foods you eat. Doctors often prescribe these along with statins when one medicine isn't enough.
PCSK9 Inhibitors
These are newer, powerful medications that work to remove more bad cholesterol than they normally would. Doctors usually recommend these for people who can't take statins or need extra help.
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Final Thoughts
Healthy cholesterol is achievable through solutions such as diet, exercise, or medication. But, early action is key, as high cholesterol often goes unnoticed. Partner with your doctor to find the best plan for you and schedule regular checkups. If you take care of your cholesterol, you're taking care of your heart, and that's one of the best investments you can make in your health.