| 1. What is Cholesterol? Cholesterol is found in the bloodstream and cell structure, and is responsible for the cell's durability. is a vital, fat-like substance that is responsible for the body's cholesterol However, high cholesterol levels can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. is a very important risk factor for. Cholesterol is carried in the blood by special carriers; there are several types. Two of them are important for cardiovascular diseases. LDL Cholesterol: “bad” cholesterol High cholesterol in the blood When the amount in the blood is high, the vessels that feed the heart and brain begins to accumulate in the wall of the artery, forming a hard deposit. This condition is called atherosclerosis. (atherosclerosis). It causes blockage and makes it difficult for blood to flow in the vessels. It causes insufficient blood flow to vital organs. This blockage can If it occurs in the vessels that feed the brain, heart attack If it occurs in the feeding vessels, a stroke occurs. In short, the level of LDL cholesterol As the level of LDL cholesterol increases, the risk of life-threatening diseases also increases. For this reason, LDL cholesterol It is referred to as “bad” cholesterol.
HDL Cholesterol: “good” cholesterol One quarter of the cholesterol in the blood is carried by HDL cholesterol. HDL carries cholesterol It transports cholesterol to the liver, allowing it to be removed from the blood and thus preventing its accumulation in the vascular wall. As HDL cholesterol levels increase, the risk of heart attack decreases. This is why HDL cholesterol is referred to as “good” cholesterol. 2. What are the causes of increased cholesterol? There are many reasons why cholesterol levels can be high or low. There is.
* Improper diet (high in calories and rich in cholesterol) * High blood pressure (hypertension) * Diabetes mellitus * Kidney, liver, thyroid diseases * Gender Cholesterol levels are higher in premenopausal women than in men. With menopause, LDL cholesterol levels usually start to rise. begins. * Cigarettes, alcohol * Stres * Sedentary lifestyle 3. What are the harms of high cholesterol? High cholesterol is not a disease on its own, but it can have serious consequences. Cholesterol accumulates in the vascular wall and causes atherosclerosis. can cause the development of the following diseases:
* Coronary heart disease / Heart attack (infarction) * Stroke (blockage in brain vessels) * Circulatory diseases
By the time problems related to high cholesterol occur, it may already be too late. Therefore, keeping blood cholesterol levels within normal limits, if elevated dropping is very important. Stopping progressive arteriosclerosis by lowering high blood cholesterol It is also proven to reduce the risk of having a heart attack.
What are the normal values?
Total Cholesterol
Desired to be lower than 200 mg/dl
LDL (bad) Cholesterol
The desired level is lower than 100 mg/dl.
HDL (good) Cholesterol
higher than the desired 40 mg/dl 4. How to Lower Your Blood Cholesterol
* It is possible to achieve some reduction in cholesterol levels by eating right. * Other measures you can take are losing weight and quitting smoking. * You may need to use a cholesterol-lowering medication recommended by your doctor. * The most important point to remember is that precautions and treatment continue throughout life. is what it should do. 5. What are the Foods Suitable for Cholesterol?
* Fruits – vegetables, greens * Cereals, rice, pasta * Fish, skinless poultry |
