Lower Your Cholesterol Level - The Difference Between Good Cholesterol And Bad Cholesterol
We all nowadays know the importance of trying to reduce cholesterol and many of us actively take steps to achieve a lower cholesterol level in our blood. I am frequently asked the question: "what is the difference between good cholesterol and bad cholesterol?" So what is hdl cholesterol? (the good cholesterol) and what is ldl cholesterol? (the bad cholesterol). Read on and find out. Cholesterol circulates in our blood attached to a protein called a lipoprotein. There are two basic types of lipoprotein. High density lipoprotein (HDL) or low density lipoprotein (LDL). HDL is usually labelled as "good cholesterol" because the molecule is mostly protein and does not carry a high quantity of free fat along with it. LDL on the other hand is a molecule that only has a small amount of protein and for the most part is made of of freely available and very easily disolved cholesterol fat. LDL is often referred to as "bad cholesterol." If you have a lot of good cholesterol or HDL in your system then your heart will be quite well protected from the effects of fat. If you have a lot of LDL - or bad cholesterol - then you will be at greater risk of heart attack or stroke. This information has now been shown to be correct in countless medical studies throughout the world. If you are having a cholesterol check or cholesterol blood test then your doctor will look at your blood test result and check the level of the Total Cholesterol count. He or she will then examine the count for the level of the good cholesterol or HDL. The ratio of the total cholesterol divided by the HDL level is thought to be a reflection of the "true cholesterol level" in your blood and as such is a good predictor of future heart attack or stroke problems. For example - a total cholesterol count of 6.0 and an HDL count of 1.5 will give a ratio of 4.0. This is a healthy level and will usually indicate good cardiovascular health. A total count of 6.0 and an HDL count of 0.5 will give a ratio of 12.0: very bad news indeed from the point of view of stroke and heart attack risk. (Note - these are UK values for typical results - US values will be different but the ratios will be the same: the UK and the US use different units to measure cholesterol levels.) If you have a high cholesterol then get focused and take steps to change your lifestyle now. If you don't know what your cholesterol level is then make plans to speak to your doctor about whether you need it checked or not. Dr Gordon Cameron MD is based in Edinburgh, Scotland.
He has a special interest in the importance of helping patients achieve lower cholesterol levels and better blood pressure control.
http://www.bloodpressurehigh.com
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Too much cholesterol in the blood (high blood cholesterol) can be a severe medical condition that can result to varying circumstances that can be harmful to the body Individuals may not notice that they have high blood cholesterol concentration present in the blood because this condition is not capable of producing symptoms
How High Should Your Cholesterol Levels Be?
A 2007 report from the Women's Health Study showed that high levels of cholesterol, even in healthy women, was a risk factor that increased a woman's chances of having a stroke. Other studies have shown a link between high levels of cholesterol and Alzheimer's disease. And the media has been warning us for years to cut down our intake of cholesterol because high cholesterol leads to hardening of the arteries. But what is cholesterol and why is it even it our bodies?
Cholesterol Normal Levels
When it comes to heart health, cholesterol plays a serious role. High levels of cholesterol in the blood is a significant risk factor with coronary heart disease and stroke. That should be enough reason to find out your cholesterol level and if any kind of corrective action should be taken. This section should help you determine the range considered normal levels of cholesterol.
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Cholesterol, which is found in every cell of the body, is used to build healthy cells, as well as some vital hormones. An individual who has high blood cholesterol may develop fatty deposits in the blood vessels. Eventually, these deposits can clog arteries and reduce blood flow. As a result, the heart may not get enough oxygen-rich blood, increasing the risk of a heart attack. Decreased blood flow to the brain can cause a stroke ().
How To Lower Your Cholesterol Naturally
Cholesterol is one of many health topics that can be confusing, and most people just want to understand the bottom line of how they can lower cholesterol to improve their health. Before considering how to lower your cholesterol naturally, let us first look at what cholesterol is and why too much is a problem.
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Cholesterol is a fatty wax lipid that can be found in the cell membranes of humans and animals.
