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Hypercholesterolaemia can shorten life by up to 20 years. Over 90 percent people do not know that they suffer from this disease. Elevated cholesterol does not cause any symptoms. – Unfortunately, one of the first symptoms of elevated cholesterol is the occurrence of cardiovascular events, such as a heart attack or stroke – says cardiologist Dr. Piotr Dobrowolski.
- Hypercholesterolaemia – elevated blood cholesterol levels – affects over half of Poland’s inhabitants aged 18-79
- A few percent heal, i.e. reduce the high risk of a heart attack or stroke.
- Doctors emphasize that many people are not aware of the problem that is relatively easy to treat
- Not only the elderly and overweight people struggle with elevated cholesterol
- More important information can be found on the Onet homepage
Lipidogram – what is it?
Circulatory diseases are still the number one killer in Poland. Contrary to popular belief, they are generally more lethal to women, although it is worth remembering that they are before the age of 60. more men than women die because of them, and only then the trend is reversed. Of course, there are many more reports of heart attacks, strokes and pulmonary embolisms than deaths from them, and each such event divides life into two halves: before and after. This statistic can be changed, and the key to changing it is being aware of your own health.
In the context of lipid disorders, which affect as much as 61 percent society, the initial diagnosis is very simple – a blood test is enough (in the light of the new guidelines it does not have to be fasting!), which will determine the lipid profile, i.e. the level of plasma lipids. This way we will get the values of total cholesterol, LDL (low-density lipoproteins), HDL (high-density lipoproteins) and triglycerides. On their basis, we will know whether we can sleep peacefully, or it is better to go to the doctor and take measures that will allow us to sleep well.
There are lipoprotein (fat-protein) molecules in our blood. They are essential for our functioning. Circulating in the plasma, they supply the tissues with energy, but their role is much wider – without their participation it is impossible, for example, to produce hormones, e.g. and bile acids necessary for the digestion of food or the synthesis of vitamin D. There are several types of lipoproteins. For the sake of simplicity, it is worth focusing on two – LDL and HDL cholesterol:
- LDL – low-density lipoproteins, commonly known as “bad” cholesterol (when there are too many of them, they lead to the development of atherosclerosis),
- HDL – high-density lipoproteins called “good” cholesterol (under certain conditions they have antiatherosclerotic properties).
See also:Symptoms of familial hypercholesterolaemia that everyone should know [EXPLAINED]
All lipoproteins contain, albeit in different proportions, protein structures called apolipoproteins (apo). There are several types of them. One of the key factors in the diagnosis of disorders is apolipoprotein B (apoB), which is a protein component that accounts for up to 80 percent. LDL proteins. Apolipoprotein B is believed to be an indicator of the risk of atherosclerotic heart disease.
CholeoPRO – the YANGO dietary supplement, which not only reduces the amount of bad LDL cholesterol, but also regulates the amount of HDL cholesterol, can be helpful in regulating cholesterol levels.
How to treat hypercholesterolaemia?
It is also worth knowing that the size of lipoproteins is important. Problems arise when a lot of apo-containing lipoproteins with a diameter of less than 70 nm are circulating in the blood. They can cross the endothelial barrier in blood vessels, especially when the walls of the vessels are not functioning properly. When trapped in the artery wall, they trigger a cascade of complex processes that lead to lipid deposition and plaque formation. Then, atherosclerosis joins the hypercholesterolaemia. It is worth noting that in the latest European guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of hypercholesterolaemia we read that the “key” event “initiating atherosclerosis” is the deposition of LDL cholesterol and B apolipoproteins in the artery wall.
If atherosclerotic plaque builds up, the lumen of the blood vessel is reduced and therefore blood circulation is obstructed. This is how the development of atherosclerosis progresses. At some point, atherosclerotic plaque may break off and “travel”, for example, to the lungs; It can also happen that the artery becomes clogged and the blood does not flow to the heart or brain. In each of these accidents there is a direct threat to life!
Not surprisingly, the primary therapeutic goal in the event of hypercholesterolaemia, also in its earliest stages, when atherosclerosis has not yet occurred, is to lower the LDL value.. However, the specific therapeutic goal should be agreed individually with the doctor. The European guidelines state that its responsibility is to assess the risk of a cardiovascular event (e.g. stroke or infarction). Such an assessment is carried out by the physician on the basis of a medical history (he must, inter alia, determine whether there is a genetic predisposition in a given patient to develop such events), physical examination and possibly additional tests (e.g. imaging tests of the condition of blood vessels).
- Food to lower cholesterol
Risk assessment is important because it is based on it that the doctor makes decisions about both therapeutic goals and the choice of therapy. The rule is that the higher the risk, the more intense the therapeutic effect. It may be necessary to aim for at least one half of your LDL concentration from baseline or to a specific titer. One thing is for sure, the lower the LDL, the lower the risk of plaque build-up, and the lower the risk of plaque build-up, the lower the risk of pulmonary embolism, heart attack or stroke.
The second certainty is that treating hypercholesterolaemia involves not only swallowing pills, but also changing your lifestyle, and sometimes changing your lifestyle is the only therapeutic option proposed. This happens when atherosclerosis has not yet occurred, and the elevated cholesterol levels are due to poor diet and little exercise.
Cinnamon, which is one of the ingredients of Pukka Vanilla Chai – vanilla tea with cinnamon and ginger, has a positive effect on lowering cholesterol. It is worth drinking it prophylactically.
HDL – What Myths Are There?
There are opinions on the Internet that it is enough to take care of a high level of HDL fraction to avert the risk of serious cardiovascular events. It is not that simple. «There are currently no RCTs (double-blind randomized controlled trials) or genetic evidence to suggest that increasing plasma HDL C levels may reduce the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular events. It is also not known whether therapies modifying the functions of HDL molecules will reduce the risk of such diseases, »reads the latest European guidelines.
- Fighting high cholesterol – natural and synthetic statins
Although studies have shown that a high concentration of HDL in the blood has a protective effect, reducing the risk of developing atherosclerosis, unfortunately, this does not mean that all people who have a lot of HDL particles in their blood can sleep well and forget about the risks altogether. atherosclerosis. Therefore, in the treatment of hypercholesterolaemia, the primary goal is to lower your LDL value, and if your LDL level is elevated, it is better to consult your doctor despite high HDL. Without consultation, you can immediately, regardless of our test results, change your diet to a healthy one (Mediterranean is recommended) and start moving (it will help just 30 minutes of exercise within five days.
You can regulate high cholesterol through supplementation. Try OPC – 100mg Viridian Grape Seed Extract at a promotional price on Medonet Market.
High cholesterol – what signals does it give you?
In the light of gloomy Polish statistics, it is better to assume that it is always, regardless of age and well-being.
– Elevated cholesterol causes no symptoms, which is why so many people are unaware that they have high cholesterol. Unfortunately, one of the first symptoms of elevated cholesterol is the occurrence of cardiovascular events such as a heart attack and / or stroke. But, unfortunately, then it is too late – cholesterol has done its job in the body. Therefore, a key part of treating high cholesterol is education – teaching why cholesterol is so important, what the consequences of high cholesterol may be. Thereafter, blood cholesterol assessment should be encouraged. This gives an opportunity for early diagnosis of the disease and prevention / delay of the occurrence of a heart attack and / or stroke – says Assoc. Piotr Dobrowolski, Head of the Independent Lipid Clinic of the National Institute of Cardiology.
- 99 percent patients do not know that they have a disease that shortens their life by up to 20-30 years
It is rightly believed that hypercholesterolaemia is more common in people who are overweight or obese, lead an unhealthy lifestyle by smoking, abusing alcohol and eating a lot of the so-called junk food. But even very young people, including children, are victims of this insidious disease! There is family hypercholesterolaemia, according to many doctors, the most common genetically determined disease in Poland: it is estimated that one in 200 people has it.
Hypercholesterolaemia – what are the symptoms?
The main symptom of familial hypercholesterolaemia is very high levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) and the development of coronary heart disease and heart attack / stroke at an early age. So if our family has had cases of premature death due to heart disease (e.g. a heart attack in the fifth decade or earlier) or high cholesterol, it is worth examining your cholesterol level. If it is high and the reason for this is not an inadequate diet or an inappropriate lifestyle (excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, lack of exercise), genetic tests should be carried out to confirm or exclude familial hypercholesterolaemia.
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Other diseases and certain medications can also cause hypercholesterolaemia. There are therefore many causes of elevated cholesterol, including that’s why it’s such a widespread problem.
Research indicates that 61 percent of total cholesterol is too high. our society aged 18-79. Most of them are unaware of their health condition (over 60%) because they do not regularly check their cholesterol levels. Currently, routine lipid screening is recommended for all patients over 40 years of age for men, and for women who have reached the menopause or 50 years of age. But cardiologists and internists have no doubt that Checking plasma lipid levels should be a routine test also in children and young adults. In the light of such a high prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia in Polish society, this type of diagnostics, additionally non-invasive and cheap, is of vital importance.
Justyna Wojteczek, PAP
You want to do a lipid profile – you can find the appropriate cholesterol test at Medonet Market
Also read:
- Fast food: is there a healthy fast food and is pizza also fast food?
- Do you want to start a diet? Check what research is worth doing beforehand
- Do you like fast food? Your body can treat them like an infection
- The most common myths about cholesterol
- Herbs to help “break down” cholesterol
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