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Canadian Pharmacy |
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Risk Factors for High Cholesterol
More than 70% of heart disease caused by High cholesterol and is the leading
killer of both men and women after the age of 45. It leads to heart attacks,
arterial blockage, hardening of the arteries, blood clots, clogged arteries,
and stroke. Numbers of factors are available which influence a person's
cholesterol levels, which includes diet, age, weight, gender, genetics,
diseases and lifestyle.
Diet
In our daily routine we consume foods which high in dietary fat. Foods which
are fried or are high in animal fats will directly raise blood serum levels
of "bad cholesterol".
Foods which are high in simple carbohydrates such as sugars, bread, pasta
and sweets indirectly raise "bad cholesterol" levels as they are
converted into "bad cholesterol" by the liver. This explains why
some vegetarians have high cholesterol.
Age
The blood levels of cholesterol tend to increase as we age--a factor doctors
consider when deciding treatment options for patients with certain cholesterol
levels.
Weight
It is advisable to maintain your weight as per your height and age because,
people those who are overweight are more likely to have high blood cholesterol
levels. They also tend to have lower HDL levels. The location of the excess
weight also seems to play a role in cholesterol levels. A high risk of increased
cholesterol levels occurs when that extra weight is centered in the abdominal
region, as opposed to the legs.
Gender
Men tend to have higher LDL levels and lower HDL levels than do women, especially
before age 50. After age 50, when women are in their post-menopausal years,
the LDL level rise due to decreased amounts of estrogen.
Genetics
Some times high levels of cholesterol may occur due to hereditarily. A variety
of minor genetic defects can cause to an unnecessary production of LDLs
or a decreased. This tendency towards high cholesterol levels is often passed
on from parents to their children. If your parents have high cholesterol,
you need to be tested to see if your cholesterol levels are also elevated.
Disease
Diseases such as diabetes can lower HDL levels, increase triglycerides and
accelerate the development of atherosclerosis. The problem of High blood
pressure, or hypertension, can also hasten the development of atherosclerosis,
and some medications used to treat it can increase LDL and triglycerides
and decrease HDL levels.
Lifestyle
Stress is one of the factors that negatively affect cholesterol levels,
which can raise total cholesterol levels, and cigarette smoking, which can
lower a person's HDL level as much as 15 percent. Where as, tiring exercise
can increase HDL levels and decrease LDL levels. Exercise also can help
reduce body weight, which, can help reduce cholesterol. Recent research
has shown that moderate alcohol use can raise HDL cholesterol and therefore
reduce the risk of heart attack. Despite such research, it is difficult
to recommend the habitual use of alcohol because there are also negative
health consequences associated with alcohol use and a high potential for
abuse. |
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