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[C622]Cholesterol And Heart Attack

by William Walters, Wil

Today we are going to talk about the importance of Lowering your Cholesterol to prevent the #1 killer in the US Heart Disease

Cholesterol is an important element required by the human body for its day to day survival. But if present in excess amounts, it can be counterproductive as well. Medical science has shown that excess quantities of cholesterol in the blood can lead to the blockage of blood vessels, leading to heart attack or stroke. Hence it is important that one may check the cholesterol buildup in his/her body. If left unchecked, it can lead to a complete disaster.

The chemical composition of cholesterol is such that it is insoluble in water. As a result, it cannot dissolve in blood and hence independently move around in the blood stream. They are carried by certain chemicals known as lipoproteins to the different tissues of the body, to be stored, used, or excreted, as it may be required. But in excess amounts, some of these lipoproteins may settle on the inside of the blood vessels forming plaques, thus blocking the blood flow in the process, and eventually leading to a cardiac arrest, when the blood flow is completely obstructed. If this blockage happens in the brain, it may cause a stroke.

Here, one must understand that not all types of cholesterol is heart attack inducing. There are basically two types of cholesterol – HDL and LDL – in the human blood, of which the latter is heart attack causing if present in an excess percentage. HDL or high density lipoproteins seem to help remove the cholesterol forming plaques inside the blood vessels, thereby alleviating any chances of a blockage build up in the arteries. Hence they are body friendly. According to experts, the ideal level of these components in the blood must be -40 mg/dL/-50mg/dL (for men & women) and less than 160 mg/dL, respectively. There is another type of cholesterol as well in the blood - named LP(a) - which is also prone to cause blockages in the blood vessels. But the exact chemistry behind the plaque formation by LP(a) is not known even today.

From a common man point of view, one’s the things are over the anvil, it can be really difficult to contain the damage. Hence, as a precaution, it is advisable that one may periodically check his/her blood cholesterol levels to ensure that everything is under control. Consulting a doctor/nutritionist and seeking his/her advice would be helpful for one to know more about the effects of excessive cholesterol, and to chart a diet plan that is more body friendly. Remember, in any counts, checking the blood cholesterol level is far easier than being through and then treating heart attack or stroke.

About the Author: Lowering Your Cholesterol

"William Walters, the owner of Lowering Cholesterol Facts, is interested in writing articles relating to health issues such as heart diseases and cholesterol and other related issues so that people can live a happier & healthier life. Visit the site - http://www.lowering-cholesterol-facts.com – for more information on Cholesterol, Steps to Lower Cholesterol, Diets & Cholesterol, and The importance of lowering Cholesterol. You can also get your FREE report " 5 Simple Steps To Lower Cholesterol" from the site.

Also known as acute myocardial infarction, heart attack is the leading cause of death worldwide. An average of 1.2 million Americans suffer from a heart attack annually and 40% of these people die. This condition is characterized by an interruption of the blood flow to a particular region in the heart. The interruption results to oxygen shortage which causes heart tissue damage and tissue death.

People with a history of stroke, atherosclerotic heart disease or angina and abnormal heart rhythm have a higher risk of experiencing a heart attack. The disease mostly affects men over 40 years old and women over 50 years old. There are also medical and scientific studies stating that women who use contraceptive pills have a higher risk of a heart attack than those who does not use them. A person's lifestyle can also increase chances of a heart attack. Smoking, drinking, drug abuse, presence of high triglyceride levels in the food you eat, high LDL levels and low HDL levels are some of the risk factors you should learn to avoid. On the other hand, individuals diagnosed with diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and high stress levels are also considered to be at serious risk.

A person having a heart attack will experience chest pains, nausea, shortness of breath, vomiting, sweating, palpitations and anxiety. These symptoms are usually experienced by males while in females, symptoms include fatigue and weakness. There is evidence that at least 30% of all myocardial infarction incidents have no visible symptoms and are considered to be "silent" infarctions.

A person suffering from a heart attack requires immediate medical attention to prevent sustained heart damage Aside from receiving oxygen, glyceryl trinitrate and aspirin; persons having heart attacks will undergo a series of diagnostic test including an electrocardiogram, blood test and chest X-ray. These tests will determine levels of troponin or creatine kinase which are usually indicative of heart tissue damage. Treatment can involve thrombolytic therapy or percutaneous coronary intervention. For severe cases, a bypass surgery will be performed to unblock the affected coronary artery.

Heart attacks are usually triggered by intense exertion, both psychological and physical. Acute severe infections like pneumonia can also trigger heart attacks. A person at risk of having a heart attack usually has a clinical history of chest pains that lasts for more than 20 minutes. The person will also have changing ECG readings as well as fluctuating levels of serum cardiac biomarkers.

People who survived a heart attack can reduce risk of recurrence by monitoring blood pressure and implementing lifestyle changes. They would not be allowed to smoke, drink excessively and will be encouraged to exercise regularly, eat a well-balanced diet and take long-term medication. These medications include antiplatelet drug therapy (aspirin), beta blocker therapy (metoprolol), ACE inhibitor therapy, statin therapy, aldosterone antagonist agent eplerenone and omega-3 fatty acids.

Complications from a heat attack are very likely to occur immediately. These complications can include congestive heart failure, myocardial rupture, pericarditis, life-threatening arrhythmia and cardiogenic shock. This is the reason heart attacks can be so fatal, as the effects occur rather rapidly.

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Both William Walters & Sven Ullmann are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

William Walters has sinced written about articles on various topics from Fitness, High Cholesterol and Hair Removal. William Walters, the owner of Lowering Cholesterol Facts, is interested in writing articles relating to health issues such as heart diseases and cholesterol Visit - For More Free Articles. William Walters's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.

Sven Ullmann has sinced written about articles on various topics from Infections, Allergies and Infections. Article by Sven Ullmann, who runs - a site dedicated to different health related articles. Read more about. Sven Ullmann's top article generates over 110000 views. to your Favourites.