The word 'cholesterol' is often spoken by many people, especially for those who are older. Actually, what is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a substance formed by the liver (liver) of saturated fat that comes from food, and supplemented by an already existing cholesterol in animal foods such as meat, egg yolks, or milk products.
In fact, cholesterol is needed to maintain a healthy body, cholesterol is the precursor for steroid hormones that regulate various body metabolism, bile acids, and components of the cell walls in the body.
However, if the levels of cholesterol in the blood is too high, it will increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. It is caused by excess cholesterol that the body needs not be stored in the walls of blood vessels that causes constriction of blood vessels, called atherosclerosis. If there's too much, it will clog the blood vessels so that blood can not be the total flow. If this situation occurs in veins draining the heart muscle, then there was a heart attack. Meanwhile, if this happens the blood vessels in the brain, a stroke occurs.
In fact, cholesterol is needed to maintain a healthy body, cholesterol is the precursor for steroid hormones that regulate various body metabolism, bile acids, and components of the cell walls in the body.
However, if the levels of cholesterol in the blood is too high, it will increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. It is caused by excess cholesterol that the body needs not be stored in the walls of blood vessels that causes constriction of blood vessels, called atherosclerosis. If there's too much, it will clog the blood vessels so that blood can not be the total flow. If this situation occurs in veins draining the heart muscle, then there was a heart attack. Meanwhile, if this happens the blood vessels in the brain, a stroke occurs.
So, to prevent the incident, it is advisable to take measurements for regular blood cholesterol levels for those aged over 35 years. In those who tend to be high blood cholesterol along with other risk factors for heart disease and stroke, it is advisable to take measurements more often as directed.
Cholesterol in the body is actually made up of various kinds, which is the combination of fat-protein substances called lipoproteins. Low-density lipoprotein (low density lipoproteins / LDL), cholesterol serves to send the blood vessels of the body goes. While high-density lipoproteins (high density lipoproteins / HDL) function to remove cholesterol from the bloodstream.
Cholesterol in the body is actually made up of various kinds, which is the combination of fat-protein substances called lipoproteins. Low-density lipoprotein (low density lipoproteins / LDL), cholesterol serves to send the blood vessels of the body goes. While high-density lipoproteins (high density lipoproteins / HDL) function to remove cholesterol from the bloodstream.
That's why LDL cholesterol is often called 'bad cholesterol' that amount should not be too much, while HDL is called "good cholesterol." Apart from that, also known as LDL lower density levels, namely VLDL, and triglycerides are often known as 'neutral fats' which is the most widely circulating fats in the blood vessels.
To achieve good blood cholesterol levels, so it does not cause an increased risk of various diseases but still enough to keep the various functions of the body, it takes a balance of different types of cholesterol exist.
For example, if the levels of total blood cholesterol levels due to the high levels of LDL, the risk for heart disease or stroke is high. Whereas if high blood cholesterol levels due to high levels of HDL, the risk for heart disease or stroke is not high. These values can be a reference in the assessment of blood cholesterol levels in the fasting state (all sizes in mg / dl):
Total blood cholesterol levels
Under 200: GoodBetween 200 and 239: the upper limit
Above 240: a high risk of heart disease & stroke
Levels of LDL
Less than 130: GoodBetween 130 to 159: the upper limit
More than 160: a high risk of heart disease & stroke
Levels of HDL
Less than 40: a high risk of heart disease & strokeOver 60: reduction of risk of heart disease & stroke
Triglyceride levels
Less than 200: GoodBetween 200 and 399: the upper limit
More than 400: a high risk of heart disease & stroke
There are a variety of things to do to control blood cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke:
- Stop smoking.
- Set diet with emphasis on vegetables and fruits, limit the amount of calories, reduce your intake of cholesterol and saturated fat from animal foods, and stopping at all offal (intestines, tripe, spleen, liver, lung, brain, fat, skin).
- Exercise regularly 2-3 times per week.
- Lowering Berata body for those who are overweight.
- Controlling blood pressure.
- Controlling blood sugar levels when exposed to diabetes (diabetes).
The types of blood cholesterol lowering drugs consisting of statins, niacin group (a type of vitamin B), and acid fibrate class. Your doctor will choose the types of drugs that are tailored to the results of blood cholesterol. However, because the treatment for lowering blood cholesterol levels can not be done in a short time, have your doctor prescribe generic drugs that cost of treatment is not expensive.
By controlling blood cholesterol levels, in addition to reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke, as well as the body will function normally so that they can enjoy a longer healthier life.
