Cardiovascular disease can be compared to an epidemic that has managed to capture the entire planet. It is they who are in first place in terms of the number of deaths, leaving behind even cancer. Doctors unanimously declared high cholesterol to be the main culprit. The reasons for the excess of this element, which is necessary for all cells of the human body, can be different - from malnutrition to diseases.
Norm and deviations
Determining whether the level of cholesterol is normal, doctors take into account the gender and age of the person. The concentration of this substance in the blood will differ in men, women and children. Changes tests and pregnancy, because the he althy development of the fetus requires an increased content of cholesterol in the body of the expectant mother.
Norms depending on age and gender:
- If a cholesterol test is carried out for a child, weight and age are taken into account when determining the norm. On average, the normal indicator is in the range from 2.8 to 5.2 mmol. It is also necessary to remember about the constant growth of the child's body, about the more active production of cholesterol by the liver.
- Normal values for a he althy man are 2.24-4.9 mmol.
- Cholesterol in women should not go beyond the range of 2.0-4.6 mmol. During pregnancy, the figure can double, and this is absolutely normal.
Causes of "bad" cholesterol
Factors leading to abnormal cholesterol levels can be internal or external. The most commonly blamed for high concentrations of this substance in the body are:
- diseases (genetic and acquired);
- sedentary lifestyle;
- overweight;
- malnutrition;
- taking certain medications;
- bad habits;
- age.
Age is not a factor that directly affects the occurrence of such a problem as high cholesterol. The reasons why people over 45 are considered at risk are more related to the chronic diseases they have in their anamnesis.
Diseases and treatment
Among the hereditary diseases most often associated with high cholesterol levels are nephropathy, arterial hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes mellitus. Tests are recommended for people whose families have already experienced disorders in the endocrine system, malfunctions of the cardiovascular system.
Liver pathologies, which can be acquired or genetic, are also dangerous. The liver is actually a filter responsible for the processing of useful and harmful elements, among which cholesterol is also present. Violation of metabolic processes can result in an increaseindicators of low density lipoprotein.
If a person has high cholesterol, the reasons may lie not only in diseases, but also in the treatment of medications. Beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, diuretics, oral contraceptives are considered a potential threat. All these funds can be taken only after agreement with the attending physician.
Nutrition and weight
High cholesterol levels will be faced by people leaning on "industrial" food. These are a variety of sausages, sausages, smoked meats, sweet carbonated drinks, chocolate bars. Fatty, fried foods are dangerous. Before buying products, be sure to pay attention to the label. Trans fats are more harmful to the body than common animal fat.
Meat food also requires caution. It is best to refuse dishes from fatty lamb and beef, pork, goose, duck. In limited quantities, lean beef and veal are allowed. The least dangerous are hare, turkey, chicken, rabbit meat. Meat should preferably be stewed or boiled rather than fried or baked. Doctors advise people at risk not to get carried away with eggs.
Cholesterol in the blood of overweight people also often exceeds normal values. The cardiovascular system, liver, kidneys are exposed to risky stress.
Wrong lifestyle
More and more people lead a sedentary lifestyle. Refusal to walk, sedentarywork, hours spent watching TV and playing computer games - the result is deposits of fats, s alts on the vascular walls, blood stasis. Only regular physical activity (at least twice a week), long walks will help to cope with this.
Of bad habits, smoking is the most dangerous. Nicotine increases the viscosity of the blood, causing narrowing of the arteries. As a result, cholesterol in the blood goes beyond the norm. This dangerous addiction should be abandoned in the first place, otherwise, the development of heart disease is possible.
Control cholesterol
Regular home cholesterol measurements are becoming increasingly popular. This allows people to control its concentration in the blood without unnecessary time costs, taking timely measures in the form of medications, diets. The main advantage provided by modern measuring devices is the ability to find out the exact result within a minute without visiting the hospital.
Designed for home monitoring, the kit includes special test strips treated with chemicals that provide highly accurate results.
Measuring instruments
Among the most popular devices is the Easy Touch analyzer, using which you can set not only the concentration of cholesterol, but also the content of hemoglobin, glucose. Doctors recommend the device to patients suffering fromlipid metabolism disorders. Blood sampling is minimal, readings are ready in a few seconds.
Small and portable models are also available, such as the Accutrend GC for convenient and highly accurate cholesterol measurement. Up to 20 results can be stored in memory, the time of analysis and the date of the analysis are remembered.
Treatment with pills
A person who has high cholesterol has not always been able to eliminate the causes and consequences with diet alone. Prescribing medications without consulting a doctor is strongly discouraged.
High cholesterol remedies:
- Satins. These drugs stop the production of enzymes required for the production of this substance in the blood. Depending on what dose is prescribed to the patient, on the characteristics of the body, these drugs can reduce the performance by 60%. The most popular satins for cholesterol are Lovastatin, Fluvastatin, Cerivastatin tablets. Their use can cause side effects - pain in the muscles, liver, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Fibric acids. They activate the oxidation of fatty acids in the liver, reduce the concentration of triglycerides, LDL. These drugs include Gemfibrozil, Fenofibrate, Clofibrate. They can cause indigestion, and other consequences are possible.
Prevent high blood levelscholesterol is much easier than getting rid of this problem. Proper nutrition, an active lifestyle, giving up dangerous habits, attentive attitude to he alth are effective preventive measures.
