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High Blood Cholesterol: A Leading Risk Factor for Coronary Heart Disease

Source: www.cholesterollowdown.org
Topic: Blood Cholesterol
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Sort Desciption: Cholesterol is a fat-like substance in the body. The majority of it is made in the liver; and the remainder comes from food. Cholesterol is carried through the bloodstream to the bodys cells in special carriers called lipoproteins. ...

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What is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a fat-like substance in the body. The majority of it is made in the liver; and the remainder comes from food. Cholesterol is carried through the bloodstream to the bodys cells in special carriers called lipoproteins. The body needs some cholesterol to work normally, so it generally makes all it needs. However, sometimes it produces too much. Too much cholesterol in the blood increases the risk of fatty buildup in the arteries called plaque and increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Nearly 100 million Americans age 20 and older have total blood cholesterol above healthy levels. LDL (bad) cholesterol Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the major cholesterol carrier in the blood. LDL cholesterol is often called bad cholesterol because, along with other substances, it can build up in artery walls, causing them to harden and narrow. If a fatty deposit in an artery (a plaque) ruptures, a clot can form. If the clot blocks blood flow to the heart it can cause a heart attack. If a blood clot blocks flow to the brain, it can cause a stroke. HDL (good) cholesterol High-density lipoprotein (HDL) transports cholesterol to the liver where it may be broken down and excreted by the body. HDL is often called good cholesterol because higher levels are associated with a lower risk of heart disease. What risk factors besides cholesterol levels are important? Besides high LDL cholesterol and low HDL cholesterol other risk factors can contribute to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Some risk factors are within ones control: Smoking Diabetes Physical inactivity Diet Obesity High blood pressure While others are not: Age Men of age 45 years or older and women of age 55 years or older are at higher risk Family history If a father or brother had a heart attack before age 55, or if a mother or sister had a heart a ...

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