Cholesterol
is a waxy substance that is found in the fats (lipids) in an individual’s
blood. The body needs cholesterol to continue building healthy cells but having
high blood cholesterol can increase the risk of heart disease.
is a waxy substance that is found in the fats (lipids) in an individual’s
blood. The body needs cholesterol to continue building healthy cells but having
high blood cholesterol can increase the risk of heart disease.
When
an individual have a high cholesterol, he may develop fatty deposits in his/her
blood vessels. Eventually, these deposits make it difficult for enough blood to
flow through the arteries. As a result of this, the heart may not get as much
oxygen-rich blood as it needs, which increases the risk of a heart attack.
Decreased blood flow to the brain can cause a stroke.
an individual have a high cholesterol, he may develop fatty deposits in his/her
blood vessels. Eventually, these deposits make it difficult for enough blood to
flow through the arteries. As a result of this, the heart may not get as much
oxygen-rich blood as it needs, which increases the risk of a heart attack.
Decreased blood flow to the brain can cause a stroke.
High
cholesterol can be inherited, but it is often the result of unhealthy lifestyle
choices, and thus preventable and treatable. A healthy diet, regular exercise
and sometimes medication can go a long way toward reducing high blood cholesterol.
cholesterol can be inherited, but it is often the result of unhealthy lifestyle
choices, and thus preventable and treatable. A healthy diet, regular exercise
and sometimes medication can go a long way toward reducing high blood cholesterol.
Signs and symptoms
High blood cholesterol has no noticeable signs and symptoms.
A blood test is the only way to detect high blood cholesterol.
A blood test is the only way to detect high blood cholesterol.
Causes of high blood cholesterol
Cholesterol is carried through the blood, attached
to proteins. This combination of proteins and cholesterol is called a
lipoprotein. The type of cholesterol is depended on the type of lipoprotein it
carries. They are:
to proteins. This combination of proteins and cholesterol is called a
lipoprotein. The type of cholesterol is depended on the type of lipoprotein it
carries. They are:
- Low-density
lipoprotein (LDL): LDL, or “bad,”
cholesterol transports cholesterol particles throughout the body. LDL
cholesterol builds up in the walls of the arteries, making them hard and
narrow. - High-density
lipoprotein (HDL): HDL, or “good,”
cholesterol picks up excess cholesterol and takes it back to the liver.
Factors that contribute to high blood cholesterol
Factors that may increase the risk of individual
developing high cholesterol include:
developing high cholesterol include:
- Poor
diet: Eating saturated fat, found in animal
products, and trans fats, found in some commercially baked cookies and
crackers, can raise cholesterol level. Foods that are high in cholesterol,
such as red meat and full-fat dairy products, will also increase total
cholesterol. - Obesity:
Having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater puts an individual at risk
of high cholesterol. - Large
waist circumference: Risk of high blood
cholesterol increases for a man with a waist circumference of at least 40
inches (102 centimeters) or a woman with a waist circumference of at least
35 inches (89 centimeters). - Lack
of exercise: Exercise helps boost the body’s HDL, or
“good,” cholesterol while increasing the size of the particles
that make up LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol, which makes it less
harmful. - Smoking:
Cigarette smoking damages the walls of the blood vessels, making them
likely to accumulate fatty deposits. Smoking may also lower the level of
HDL, or “good,” cholesterol. - Diabetes:
High blood sugar contributes to higher LDL cholesterol and lower HDL
cholesterol. High blood sugar also damages the lining of your arteries.
Complications of high blood
cholesterol
cholesterol
High cholesterol can cause
atherosclerosis, a dangerous accumulation of cholesterol and other deposits on
the walls of the arteries. These deposits can reduce blood flow through your
arteries, which can cause complications, such as:
atherosclerosis, a dangerous accumulation of cholesterol and other deposits on
the walls of the arteries. These deposits can reduce blood flow through your
arteries, which can cause complications, such as:
- Chest
pain: If the arteries that supply the heart with
blood are affected, the individual may have chest pain and other symptoms
of coronary artery disease. - Heart
attack: If high blood cholesterol causes tear or
rupture, a blood clot may form at the rupture site blocking the flow of
blood or breaking free and plugging an artery downstream. If blood flow to
other parts of the heart, the heart stops this causes a heart attack. - Stroke:
Similar to a heart attack, if blood flow to part of the brain is blocked
by a blood clot, a stroke occurs.
The role
of the family in the control of high blood cholesterol
of the family in the control of high blood cholesterol
Family
members should ensure that their cholesterol level is lowered by eating a
healthy, balanced diet that is low in saturated fat, exercising regularly, not
smoking and cutting down on alcohol. It is important to
focus on a low-fat diet including lots of fibre, such as wholegrain rice, bread
and pasta, and plenty of fruit and vegetables has also been shown to help lower
cholesterol. Fruit and vegetables are full of vitamins, minerals and
fibre, and help keep your body in good condition.
members should ensure that their cholesterol level is lowered by eating a
healthy, balanced diet that is low in saturated fat, exercising regularly, not
smoking and cutting down on alcohol. It is important to
focus on a low-fat diet including lots of fibre, such as wholegrain rice, bread
and pasta, and plenty of fruit and vegetables has also been shown to help lower
cholesterol. Fruit and vegetables are full of vitamins, minerals and
fibre, and help keep your body in good condition.
The role of the community in the control of high
cholesterol level
·
Since smoking is one of the major contributory
factors to high blood cholesterol, there should be a communal effort to
sensitize the general public on the dangers of smoking. People should also be
discouraged from smoking in public places to avoid passive smoking.
Since smoking is one of the major contributory
factors to high blood cholesterol, there should be a communal effort to
sensitize the general public on the dangers of smoking. People should also be
discouraged from smoking in public places to avoid passive smoking.
·
Community exercise programme can also help in maintaining
a healthy weight, and lose weight, thereby reducing the amount of
“bad cholesterol” in your blood.
Community exercise programme can also help in maintaining
a healthy weight, and lose weight, thereby reducing the amount of
“bad cholesterol” in your blood.
The role of government on the control of high blood
cholesterol
cholesterol
The
government through the mass media, workshops, seminar, etc should educate
people on the importance of a balanced diet, exercise and avoidance of smoking
to prevent the occurrence of high blood cholesterol.
government through the mass media, workshops, seminar, etc should educate
people on the importance of a balanced diet, exercise and avoidance of smoking
to prevent the occurrence of high blood cholesterol.