The problem with having high cholesterol is that it puts you at risk for heart disease and stroke. And just in case you are saying “who cares”; According to the CDC, heart disease, and strokes: are 2 of the leading causes of death in the USA. Many people are unaware that their cholesterol levels are elevated. The CDC continues; Most healthy adults should have their cholesterol checked every 4 to 5 years. Unless you have heart disease or has being diagnosed with diabetes, or have a family history of high cholesterol, you then need to have a cholesterol check more often. Check your knowledge of high cholesterol here
Good Cholesterol:
Good cholesterol or HDL (high-density lipoprotein), absorbs cholesterol from your bloodstream and, carries it back to the liver. The liver then flushes it from the body. High levels of HDL cholesterol can lower your risk for heart disease and stroke. Blood cholesterol is important for good health. Above all, Your system needs it to perform essential jobs like making hormones and digesting the fatty food we eat. Your body makes all the blood cholesterol you need. A waxy fat-like substance, this cholesterol is made by the liver, in the right amount for our body. The other cholesterol comes from our diet.
A healthy cholesterol level by sex and age; 19 years and younger Total cholesterol Less than 120 mg/dL: HIGH 240 OR HIGHER; HDL>{GOOD} Ideal is 60 or higher; 40 or higher for men and 50 or higher for women is acceptable; LOW 40 0R LESS: LDH >{BAD} Less than 100; below 70 if coronary artery disease is present; 160 or higher; 190 considered very high
Some facts about high cholesterol
In 2015–2016, more than 12% of adults age 20 and older had total cholesterol higher than 240 mg/dL, and more than 18% had high-density lipoprotein (HDL, or “good”) cholesterol levels less than 40 mg/dL Slightly more than half of the U.S. adults (55%, or 43 million) who could benefit from cholesterol medicine are currently taking it.93 million U.S. adults age 20 or older have total cholesterol levels higher than 200 mg/dL. Nearly 29 million adult Americans have total cholesterol levels higher than 240 mg/dL. 7% of U.S. children and adolescents ages 6 to 19 have high total cholesterol.
High cholesterol has no symptoms, so many people don’t know that their cholesterol is high. A simple blood test can check cholesterol levels. Having high blood cholesterol raises the risk of heart disease, the leading cause of death, and stroke, the fifth leading cause of death. Ref CDC
What is High Cholesterol
High cholesterol, or the build-up of bad cholesterol in our blood; comes from the food we eat. Called Low-Density Lipoprotein or LDH. Because of this, When your body has too much LDL cholesterol, It joins with fats and other substances in the blood, and bills up in the walls of your blood vessels. This buildup is called “plaque.” As your blood vessels build up plaque over time, the insides of the vessels narrow. This narrowing blocks blood flow to and from your heart and other organs down to a crawl… When blood flow to the heart is blocked, it can cause angina (chest pain) or a heart attack. Or in your head, it can cause a stroke.; This is a conversation you need to have with your GP, especially at the yearly checkup time. The blood test may be added to your yearly blood test panel.
A HEALTHY CHOLESTEROL LEVEL
By living a healthy lifestyle, [I know; where is the fun in that] you can help to keep your cholesterol in a healthy range and lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. Also keep in mind, if you have a family history of high cholesterol, you will have a greater chance of you having it.
Make Healthy Eating Choices, maintain a Healthy Weight, Get Regular Physical Activity, [I walk in place 3 miles 3 times each week] Quit Smoking, and Limit Alcohol. Your body makes all the cholesterol it needs, so we do not need to obtain cholesterol through foods. Eating lots of foods high in saturated fat and trans fat, we know tastes good. The magic word here is moderation.
Overall, we need to limit our intakes of saturated food, such as cheese, fatty meats, and dairy desserts. And tropical oils. Go for food low in saturated fats, added sugar, and salt. This food may include lean mean, [chicken] fish, fat-free or low-fat milk, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. The more natural the fiber, the better it is for you.
The Reason We Should Care:
As a home care nurse, I was often told, if it is not bothering me, why should I bother it? The problem with that is, that having a stroke that leaves you unable to speak, with complete paralysis down the right side of your body, is devastating. Both to the patient and, above all, to the significant other who is elderly. Plus may also be ailing. Can you see where I am going with this? The nursing home.
You see, even when you know and are trying to do the right thing, there are no guarantees that you will not have a stroke or a heart attack. But we still have to try. If you were diagnosed with high cholesterol, take it seriously. Take the medication ordered as prescribed and not when you feel like it. Eliminate as much saturated fat in your diet as possible. It will take time, but persevere.
My Journey
I have discovered air frying and grilling. Moreover, Losing 65lbs also helped. And no, I did not starve myself. I slowly eliminated 80% of the saturated fat I once consumed,{ not the cheesecake} I was not able to walk outdoors, so I search the internet and found walking in place activity on YouTube. You can walk from 1 to 5 miles right in your own home. Believe me when I say 5 min was all I could do for 5 days then 6 and every week I added a minute. It took me 4 1\2 weeks to make the first mile. Because of my efforts, I did it.
A year later, I walk 3 miles 3 times each week. With my improved diet, taking my medication every night without fail, the wt loss, and my exercise, my levels are good, and I am allowed to have a glass of wine on Wednesday nights {it is our wine and dine show} and once every month I have a small slice of cheesecake. The thought of being physically dependent on my son scares me. So I made the effort. Not easy but so worth IT. In conclusion, have a healthy diet, and regular exercise, and if you have high cholesterol take your medication as the doctor ordered. You will not only lower your cholesterol if it’s high, but it will go a long way to also protect your heart.
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