Ignoring High Cholesterol Levels Can Be Dangerous For You

By Author: Suborna Fermi
Total Articles: 30
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Having high cholesterol levels has become a very common condition in this modern age. High cholesterol levels can restrict blood flow in the arteries, which increases your risk of getting a heart attack or stroke. Controlling cholesterol levels is crucial in order to prevent deadly consequences.

Cholesterol or lipids are a fatty or waxy substance that cannot travel through the blood on its own. This is why our liver produces lipoproteins that carry cholesterol and other types of lipids through the bloodstream. There are mainly two types of lipoproteins, including high density lipoproteins (HDL) or good cholesterol, and low density lipoproteins (LDL) or bad cholesterol. Generally, low density lipoproteins are considered as harmful, because it causes cholesterol buildup in the blood vessels which makes it difficult for the blood to pass through and puts you at risk of getting a heart attack or stroke.

Your liver generates lipids to help transport energy and fat-soluble nutrients to different body cells and tissues. You consume cholesterol from many foods, such as meat. As the body produces enough cholesterol ...
... on its own, the cholesterol we receive from the foods are excess. As a result, these extra lipids build up and block the arteries from where blood flows throughout the body. This blockage in the arteries damages organs overtime.

There are many risk factors for high cholesterol levels, and the common risk factors are as follows:

Having a diet high in saturated or trans fats
Having a family history of high cholesterol levels
Having high blood sugar levels, and hypothyroidism
Using certain medications, such as beta blockers, corticosteroids and birth control pills
Using tobacco products, and drinking too much alcohol

If you have these risk factors then go for a lipid profile test to assess your risk of lipid disorder. A lipid profile test helps measure the amount of certain lipids or fats in your body. This test measures the amount of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein, and triglycerides. Thyrocare lipid test includes more than seven parameters, and thyrocare packages also provide free home sample collection as well.

Your doctor may suggest you take this test for many purposes. Some prime reasons are mentioned below.

This test is often used as a routine blood test to identify if you are at risk of developing heart disease.
This test is used to monitor the progression of a liver disease.
This test is also recommended if you are on cholesterol lowering medication to check the effectiveness of the treatment.

How can I prevent high cholesterol levels?

You can prevent high cholesterol levels through improving certain lifestyle habits. Here are a few ways in which you can manage your cholesterol levels:

Have a diet low in saturated or trans fats and high in healthy fats.
Do moderate intensity exercise at least five days a week.
Maintain a healthy weight range.
Manage your stress levels.
Get at least seven to eight hours of sleep every night.
Quit smoking tobacco and limit your consumption of alcohol.

High cholesterol levels can block the arteries which can cause organs damage, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. Getting a full body checkup is periodically recommended to stay aware from other hazardous health conditions.

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