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High blood pressure, high cholesterol, being over weight, inactive lifestyles and smoking are high risk factors regarding heart attacks and strokes. If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure it's strongly recommended that you lower your cholesterol level as part of a plan to prevent a heart attack and a stroke from occurring. You can lower your cholesterol level by eating healthy foods and avoiding fatty foods. If an improved diet has not sufficiently lowered your cholesterol level your doctor might recommend you take some medication that is designed to reduce cholesterol. Let's look at some changes you can make to your diet in order to lower your cholesterol level.
If you have high blood pressure, in order to reduce your cholesterol level you should avoid or reduce the amount of red meat you consume and stay away from sausages and bacon. Avoid foods that contain saturated fats and if you are going to consume dairy products select products that are low in fat. Avoid using lard in your meals and if you are going to use oils select polyunsaturated oils or monounsaturated oils. Avoid or significantly reduce the amount of baked foods you eat such as pastry items and biscuits which are typically high in fat. Don't use margarines or oils that include trans fatty acids.
Healthy Diet
If you have high blood pressure and you have been eating a healthy diet and you still have a high cholesterol problem your doctor might want you to take some medications such as statins. They work by changing the activity of the enzymes located in the liver in order to prevent the liver from producing cholesterol. Some people have high cholesterol partially due to heredity and they may need the help of statins. If you have been diagnosed with heart disease your doctor might recommend statins to lower your cholesterol level.
Soluble Fiber
If you have high blood pressure there are some food items that can help you reduce your high cholesterol level. Oatmeal can decrease you bad cholesterol (LDL) due to the soluble fiber in oatmeal. Soluble fiber can also be added to your diet by including items such as kidney beans, apples, brussel sprouts, barley, pears, psyllium as well as prunes.
Niacin is the closest thing available to a perfect treatment that corrects most causes of coronary heart disease. Niacin blocks the release of fatty acids from fat cells. Niacin plays a critical role in energy production, gene expression, and hormone synthesis. You cannot live without it. Niacin also tends to shift LDL particle distribution to larger particle size and improve HDL functioning. The intake of 3 grams Niacin for as little as two weeks can reduce serum cholesterol by 26 percent.
Some studies have concluded that adding walnuts to your diet can significantly lower your blood cholesterol level. Walnuts are filled with polyunsaturated fats and walnuts also have the ability to keep your blood vessels in a healthy condition and keep them elastic. Don't eat too many walnuts a day since nuts are high in calories and weight gain increases your chances of acquiring heart disease. Also add some omega three fatty acids to your diet since they have been shown in studies to lower the risk of heart disease. Certain fish, walnuts, flaxseed, soybean oil as well as canola oil contain omega three fatty acids. If you have high blood pressure it's important not to have a high cholesterol level.
Blood cholesterol is one of the most important constituents of the blood/body. It has varied bodily functions, and it builds up healthy cells. It is an essential constituent of the cell wall (membrane), and if the level of blood cholesterol falls below normal, the walls of the red blood cells (RBC) are likely to rupture, thus causing a severe fall in haemoglobin (Hb).
Cholesterol mainly comes from the diet, i.e. from butter, ghee (saturated fat), egg-yolk, non-vegetarian food. Sea food/fish contains a low content of saturated fat. However, polyunsaturated fats like safflower, corn, sunflower, soybean, and cotton seed oils, etc do not give rise to serum cholesterol levels in the blood. These are recommended both for prevention and treatment of high blood cholesterol.
Cholesterol is also synthesized/made in the body. It has got limited excretion. Some is passed in faeces/bile, but is mostly retained in the body. The level of blood cholesterol rises as soon as the person eats.
The normal blood cholesterol level should be between 150-199 mg/ dl, and if it is more than 240 mg/ dl, it is considered a high level of blood cholesterol. Patients having a blood cholesterol level between 200-239 mg/ dl are borderline cases. Both in high and borderline cases, repeated check-ups of blood cholesterol are required.
However, those with a normal level of blood cholesterol must get their blood it checked-up, at least every five years, especially after the age of 40. In general, all persons above the age of 20 must get their blood tested to exclude high levels of cholesterol.
In children above 2 years of age, blood may be tested for cholesterol levels in case they have a family history of high blood .cholesterol/ coronary artery disease / stroke.
Blood cholesterol level may increase when a woman is on oral contraceptives or is pregnant. The level tends to decrease after the pregnancy is over, or after oral contraceptives are stopped. It may take even 5-6 months to come to normal levels. Screening for high blood cholesterol must be carried out through medical camps/house-to-house surveys to locate patients suffering from this malady, as they require immediate treatment. Significant importance is now being given to the levels of cholesterol among the general population. It is very important to know the level of blood cholesterol in a person at an early age
Blood cholesterol can be tested at any biochemical laboratory, after recommendation from the physician. One must talk to one's physician about the testing of blood cholesterol. The cholesterol level should be checked while fasting in the morning, and if a person takes alcohol, he should avoid it for at least 48 hours before the test. Above all, .the test must be carried out by an experienced biochemist. If the blood cholesterol level is high, it is advisable that a lipidogram be done.
High levels of blood cholesterol are dangerous for the body. They cause narrowing, and even blockage of the coronary arteries (blood vessels supplying the heart) and blood vessels supplying the brain, leading to heart attacks and strokes (paralysis, etc.) respectively. The chances of developing these diseases become higher if one has, in addition, diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. The risk also increases if one has a family history of high blood cholesterol/heart attack. The danger is also greater in persons who are addicted to heavy smoking/tobacco chewing, and have sedentary habits. In females the risk is much more after menopause.
High levels of cholesterol may lead to gallstones, and may even be responsible for cancers.