High cholesterol

Chest | Endocrinology and Metabolism | High cholesterol (Disease)


Description

Cholesterol is a waxy substance thats found in the fats (lipids) in your blood. While your body needs cholesterol to continue building healthy cells, having high cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease.

When you have high cholesterol, you may develop fatty deposits in your blood vessels. Eventually, these deposits make it difficult for enough blood to flow through your arteries. Your heart may not get as much oxygen-rich blood as it needs, which increases the risk of a heart attack. Decreased blood flow to your brain can cause a stroke.

Causes and Risk factors

According to statistics, many people face high cholesterol. Hypercholesterolemia causes are varied, including family history and diet.

High cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) can be inherited, but is often preventable and treatable. A healthy diet, regular exercise and sometimes medication can go a long way toward reducing high cholesterol.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Colestrol level is measured through a blood test: total cholesterol (blood)

For adults:

- High cholesterol reaches a level equal to or greater than 240 mg / dL;

- Cholesterol limit (borderline high) values are between 200 and 239 mg / dL;

- A good level of cholesterol is less than 200 mg / dL;

For children:

- High cholesterol reaches a level equal to or greater than 200 mg / dL;

- Cholesterol limit (borderline high) values are between 170-199 mg / dl;

- A good level of cholesterol is less than 170 mg / dL;

For many people, making changes to their lifestyle - eating better, losing weight, and exercising - will be enough to lower cholesterol. Others may benefit from medicines. Often, a combination of these approaches is the right choice. ...