We Must Be Aware of Our Cholesterol Levels

Knowing our total cholesterol levels is vital to our overall health. Cholesterol is broken down into two categories. These categories are usually called our good and our bad cholesterol. High cholesterol levels, especially high levels of the bad cholesterol (LDL Low density lipoprotein) can cause build up on the walls of our arteries. This buildup can cause plague to form on these walls. Then it becomes a condition that is known as atherosclerosis. Clots can easily form near the plague. These clots can eventually begin to block the flow of blood. Now one can develop a heart attack or a stroke.

Of course, one can have problems if their level of good cholesterol (HDL) is too low. Low HDL numbers can keep the body from carrying blood cholesterol away from the bodies like it should. This blood is supposed to be transmitted to our liver and then out of our body.

We all know that cholesterol testing is fairly easy. It is just a simple blood test that is taken after fasting. When this blood test is taken the doctors should look at all levels of our cholesterol levels, the HDL and the LDL levels as well as levels of our triglycerides.

(Triglycerides are another type of lipd fat levels that is in our bloodstream. High levels of them have been linked to heart disease, especially in women. Women with high triglycerides levels are 37% more at risk at developing heart disease, while a man with high triglycerides levels are 14% more at risk). These cholesterol tests should be done every five years (if the first one is found to be normal, more often if you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol). The testing should begin at the age of 20 for everyone, both male and female.

How can you reduce your risk of high cholesterol? The simple way is by establishing a healthy lifestyle, avoid saturated fat (found in many desserts and meats), restrict your intake of trans fat (found in processed baked foods and fried foods), do not smoke, exercise a half hour a day for at least three days a week and if you are overweight try to loose some of that excess weight.