CHOLESTEROL MANAGEMENT

Cholesterol is carried through your blood and attached to proteins, the combination of which is called a lipoprotein. You may have heard of different types of cholesterol, based on what type of cholesterol the lipoprotein carries. They are:

• Low-density lipoprotein (LDL). LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol transports cholesterol particles throughout your body. LDL cholesterol builds up in the walls of your arteries, making them hard and narrow.
• High-density lipoprotein (HDL). HDL, or “good,” cholesterol picks up excess cholesterol and takes it back to your liver.

Obesity, eating unhealthy foods and being inactive can be factors that make you have high LDL cholesterol and low HDL cholesterol.

Genetic make-up can contribute to the removal of LDL cholesterol from your blood efficiently. It can also cause your liver to produce too much cholesterol.

The symptoms of high cholesterol levels include:

• Chest pain or angina
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Pain while walking caused by the blocked arteries that that are unable to send blood to the legs

DIAGNOSIS

A general physician or a cardiologist can diagnose high cholesterol levels by checking the cholesterol levels in your blood.

By checking the level of cholesterol in your blood, doctors may diagnose you with high cholesterol levels. A blood test called lipoprotein panel will be performed to measure it. Before the test, you are required to fast for 12 hours.

• Total cholesterol levels, including LDL or harmful cholesterol levels and HDL or good cholesterol levels
• Atype of fat found in your blood is called triglyceride. Mostly women are at risk of coronary heart disease if triglyceride levels are

TREATMENT

Medicines are prescribed by your physician, but they will be more effective if combined with proper exercise and healthy eating habits. You also need to discuss your medical history with your doctor for him or her to make an accurate diagnosis so that you can control your high cholesterol levels.

Exercising regularly can boost up your HDL or good cholesterol levels and burn down dangerous LDL levels.

To diminish cholesterol levels, you can do moderate exercises for around 30 minutes every day, or you can attempt aerobic exercises 2 to 3 times each week for 75 minutes.

Brisk walking, swimming, aerobics, bicycling, and jogging can reduce your LDL cholesterol levels.