High levels of cholesterol
in the bloodstream is recognized as a major risk
factor for the development of atherosclerosis
(accumulation of plaque in the walls of the arteries
that can cause blockages and reduce blood flow to an
organ) and is, therefore, also a key risk factor for
coronary artery disease (CAD). In the United States,
CAD is responsible for about 500,000 deaths each
year.
The American Heart Association
estimates that about 100 million Americans have
total cholesterol levels between 200-239 mg/dL
(defined as borderline high) and at least 40 million
Americans have total cholesterol levels greater than
240 mg/dL (defined as high). These finding indicate
that, based on levels of total cholesterol, at least
140 million people in the U.S. are at moderate to
high risk for developing CAD.
In general,
there are two types of cholesterol:
-
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL):
o
carries most of the cholesterol in the bloodstream
o
commonly called bad cholesterol because too much LDL
in the bloodstream can cause blocked arteries and
increase the risk of heart attack and stroke -
High-density lipoprotein (HDL):
o
commonly called good cholesterol
o HDL helps
remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream and,
thereby, prevents plaque accumulation in the
arteries
Another type of fat (lipid)
produced by the body and also found in certain foods
is known as triglycerides. High levels of
triglycerides in the bloodstream also increase the
risk for developing coronary artery disease. To
reduce the risk of CAD, it is important for people
to maintain optimal blood levels of both cholesterol
and triglycerides. This can usually be accomplished
by a variety of lifestyle strategies such as:
Maintaining optimal weight
Minimizing dietary intake of foods that are
rich in cholesterol and fats
Avoidance of smoking
Getting regular exercise
Cholesterol-lowering medications (if
necessary)
Hospitals Listing
KPJ Healthcare, Berhad
Berhad
{Malaysia}
KPJ Healthcare, Berhad
Subang Jaya Medical Centre
{Malaysia}
Subang Jaya Medical Centre
Gleneagles Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
{Malaysia}
Gleneagles Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur
Moolchand
New Delhi
{India}
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