What is Hypercholesterolemia?
Basically, Hypercholesterolemia is a disease that is caused by having a high level of cholesterol in the blood. It is caused by a number of factors including genetics, lifestyle, and treatment options.
Low HDL cholesterol levels
Among the most important measurements for heart health is cholesterol. Cholesterol is found in the body’s cells and helps make hormones, vitamin D, and other substances. It is a waxy fat-like substance that circulates in the bloodstream. It is attached to proteins called lipoproteins.
When too much cholesterol builds up in the bloodstream, it can affect the walls of the arteries, which can result in coronary artery disease, a type of heart attack. It also can contribute to plaque build-up in the arteries, which can narrow the passageways and cause angina and other cardiovascular problems.
It is important to understand that there are many factors that contribute to high cholesterol. One of the main factors is a diet rich in saturated fat, which is found in foods like meats, dairy products, and certain oils solid at room temperature. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that people avoid foods high in saturated fat.
Some medications can also increase lipid levels. They include estrogens (taken by mouth), anabolic steroids, corticosteroids, and antiviral drugs. Also, chronic kidney disease and poorly controlled diabetes can cause lipid levels to increase.
Lifestyle measures can also help increase HDL. Diets high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats can replace saturated fats, reducing cholesterol levels. Increasing physical activity can also help raise HDL. It is important to remember that the length of exercise is more important than the intensity.
It is also important to reduce the amount of smoking in your life. Smoking lowers HDL levels and can increase the risk of atherosclerosis. When people quit smoking, their HDL levels can increase by up to 10%.
A lipid panel is a type of test that can measure the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. These tests are a good way to diagnose heart disease and can help you determine your risk of heart attack or stroke.
HDL is called the “good” cholesterol because it helps remove cholesterol from the arteries. Low HDL can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, whereas high HDL levels are associated with a lower risk of a heart attack.
Increasing HDL can also help reduce the risk of stroke. For women, a good level is around 50 mg/dL. Men, on the other hand, should have HDL levels around 40 mg/dL.
Genetics
Having high cholesterol can be a genetically determined trait. High cholesterol can be caused by a variety of factors, including poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, and excessive drinking. Having high cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease and other related problems.
Familial hypercholesterolemia is a genetic condition that causes high levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood. This condition occurs when an alteration in the APOB gene occurs. This alteration causes the body to have trouble removing the low-density lipoprotein from the bloodstream. In a person with familial hypercholesterolemia, the LDL receptor protein is not functioning properly. This causes the body to retain the cholesterol, which narrows the artery walls.
People with this condition are at a much higher risk of developing coronary artery disease. In males, this risk increases by approximately 50 percent. In females, it increases by about 12 percent. The risk increases even more if a person has a family history of heart disease.
Some of the symptoms of this condition include fatty deposits under the skin, gray or brown discoloration in the arteries, and characteristic growths on the tendons of the legs and hands. These symptoms may not show up until adulthood, but they can be signs that the body is unable to remove the LDL cholesterol properly.
People with this condition can develop coronary artery disease before age 50. Some of the more severe forms of the disease may begin in childhood. Typically, people with the more severe form of the disease have a very high risk of heart attack and death before age 20.
Genetic testing can help determine if a person has the gene for high cholesterol hypercholesterolemia. A person with this condition may need to take cholesterol-lowering medications to help the body remove the low-density lipoprotein. Lifestyle changes, such as eating a low-fat diet and getting regular exercise, can help reduce cholesterol. If a person has high cholesterol, they should get regular lipid panels to monitor their levels.
The risk of having a heart attack is also higher in people with familial hypercholesterolemia. About 85 percent of males with this condition will have a heart attack before age 50, and 74 percent of females will develop coronary artery disease by age 70.
Lifestyle factors
During the course of a lifetime, your cholesterol levels are affected by many factors. However, your lifestyle choices play a big part in determining how high your cholesterol level is and whether or not you will develop heart disease.
The American Heart Association recommends that you eat at least two servings of fatty fish per week. This type of food can help lower cholesterol levels, especially if it is eaten with a heart-healthy diet and lifestyle.
There are also several medications you can take to lower your cholesterol levels. These drugs, called statins, can be prescribed to lower your bad cholesterol. The decision whether or not to take these drugs depends on the severity of your high cholesterol and your overall risk of cardiovascular disease.
The American Heart Association recommends eating a healthy diet and getting regular physical activity. A diet that is low in saturated fat and high in fiber can help lower your cholesterol level. Also, it is recommended that you limit your intake of saturated fats to less than 10 percent of your daily calories.
Although high cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease, it usually does not cause any symptoms until it is too late. However, there are many factors that can impact your cholesterol level, including the amount of saturated fat in your diet and your genetics.
A family history of high cholesterol can increase your risk of developing high cholesterol. However, there are other lifestyle factors you can implement to lower your cholesterol level, including a healthy diet, exercise, and abstaining from smoking.
The Mediterranean diet is also a good option. It is rich in fiber and antioxidants, which can lower cholesterol levels. In addition to eating a Mediterranean diet, you should also be sure to get enough exercise every day. This is important because if you are overweight, you will increase your risk of high cholesterol.
If you have high cholesterol, you should consult with your doctor about the best ways to lower your cholesterol level. Although there are many ways to lower your cholesterol, some risk factors cannot be altered.
Treatment
Among the major underlying causes of cardiovascular disease in the United States, high cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart attack and other heart conditions. If you are experiencing symptoms of high cholesterol, you should work with a healthcare provider to develop a plan for treatment. You may need to take cholesterol-lowering drugs, or you may be able to treat your high cholesterol with a low-cholesterol diet and increased physical activity.
The treatment of high cholesterol depends on the type of lipoproteins that are circulating in the blood. The most common types of lipoproteins are Type IIa and Type IIb. Depending on your level of hypercholesterolemia, you may need to take drugs to lower your cholesterol, or you may be able to manage your cholesterol with lifestyle changes.
High cholesterol can be treated with a diet rich in fiber, whole-grain foods, and nuts. A low-cholesterol diet may also include decreased refined carbohydrates and increased cardiovascular exercise. The American Heart Association recommends 40 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise three to four times a week. You can also reduce cholesterol by eating foods with phytosterols, such as seeds, nuts, and vegetables. These foods help lower LDL cholesterol by up to 15%. Phytosterols can also be found in fortified food products, like cereals and other food items.
If you are experiencing symptoms of high cholesterol, it is important to work with a healthcare provider to develop an effective treatment plan. If you are overweight, it is even more important to take steps to manage your weight.
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