Cholesterol Monitor Article
Cholesterol and Heart Disease
Most of us are aware of the meaning of the terms heart disease and cholesterol. Many of us are not aware, however, of the dispute over whether there is a significant link, perhaps the most important factor, between high cholesterol and coronary heart disease. Some experts are convinced that the most significant cause of heart disease is cholesterol, while other experts remain skeptical.Researchers involved in the Framingham Heart Study found that high blood cholesterol is a factor for CHD or coronary heart disease. Subjects with a higher cholesterol level were more likely to contract coronary heart disease or CHD. Those with low cholesterol levels rarely were found to have coronary heart disease.
A confirmation of the Framingham Heart Study was made by another group of researchers, who found a connection between heart disease and elevated levels of blood cholesterol. This later research showed that a reduction of bad cholesterol levels (LDL cholesterol) significantly reduced the risk of coronary heart disease.
A series of cholesterol clinical trials using statin drugs revealed that lessening the total and LDL-cholesterol levels lessens the likelihood of having a heart attack, chances of requiring angioplasty (a heart bypass done by surgery), and risk of death due to coronary heart disease-related factors.
What are risk factors which increase the chances of heart disease?
Most risk factors can be modified, but not all can be eradicated. More risk factors in your life mean there is a higher chance that you will experience coronary heart disease.
The following risk factors cannot be modified:
* Age – 55 and above for females; 45 and above for males
* Family history – parents or a sibling who succumbed to fatal coronary heart disease at the above ages
These known risk factors can and should be changed:
* High total cholesterol combined with high LDL (bad) cholesterol
* Low good cholesterol (HDL)
* Smoking
* High blood pressure
* Diabetes (If you are a diabetic, you run a much higher risk of developing heart disease)
* A sedentary lifestyle or physical inactivity
* Overweight or obesity If you are uncertain as to whether you may have elevated blood cholesterol, you would be prudent to make an appointment to be examined by a physician.
Although some experts have agreed that there is a connection between high blood cholesterol and heart disease, other experts do not agree that elevated intake of animal fat, with high cholesterol levels, and heart disease are related. This group of scientists disputes the categories of “bad” or “good” cholesterol.
They believe that such factors as the level of physical activity, mental stress, and fluctuations of body weight will influence the blood cholesterol level. They further argue that high blood cholesterol is not the problem, but only reflects a symptom of an unhealthy condition.
Many experts disagree on factors which may cause illnesses, such as coronary heart disease, but no matter what links there may be between heart disease and high cholesterol, it is always in your best interest to live a healthy life.
