Cholesterol: Enemy Of Your Heart

Having adequate amount of fat in blood is necessary for the proper functioning of the human body. Cholesterol, which is the main ingredient in fat, too is essential for the body. 

When the cholesterol increases in the blood, it act as the vital substance to cause cardiac arrests. Heart attacks occurs when the fat accumalates inside the coronary artery, there by blocking the flow of blood through the heart.

The cholesterol level in two person having the same diet need not be equal. This is because the utilization of fat can be different from one person to another. For a person who performs physical exercise, the fat content will be regulated  even if he consumes more fat. If the fat is not utilized  properly this will lead to increase in fat level in the blood. Genetic issues, food, lack of physical activity, and few chemical actions causes the increase of cholesterol level in the body .

Atherosclerosis

Cholesterol can be classified  into three types, according to its density. HDL, LDL,and VLDL. LDL cholesterol causes the blockage in coronary artery through accumulation of fat. LDL cholesterol is what normally leads to cardiac arrests. For this reason it is also called ” bad cholesterol.” The phenomena that blocks blood flow through arteries to the heart muscles is called atherosclerosis. When LDL cholesterol in excess in the blood passes  through the arteries, it react with the entothelial membrane causing injuries to the arterial walls. As a result blood tissues from the inner membrane surfaces and mix up with fat and cholesterol causing plaque like formation. 

Atherosclerosis won’t happen overnight. This is a natural phenomenon. As the years pass by, the accumalated cholesterol level increases causing the thickening  of  arteries. When the circumferance of contracts to half  the normal, symptoms start popping up. In some people the symptoms can be delayed further. Lack of exercise and excessive use of fatty foods increases the rate of the Atherosclerosis.

What is Angina

Blood reaches the heart muscles mainly through two coronary arteries located on either sides of the heart. The artery on the left branches out into two new arteries. These artery again has several new branches of new arteries. that supplies blood to  different parts of the heart and muscles. The blood passing through these arteries transports the necessary oxygen and nutrients required for the muscles.

What is Heart Attack

Sometimes crack appears  in the plaques located in the coronary arteries causing blood clots. The blood clot expands rapidly  and blocks the artery eventually blocking the blood flow to the heart causing heart attack. or myocardial infarction. If the clot is diluted within 3 hours of its occurance  through  Angioplasty or medicines like streptokinase,  the destruction to heart muscles can be minimized.

Take Precautions from the Adolescence

Most  people tun cautious only when they are diagnosed with excess cholesterol. But the fact is that the LDL cholesterol starts accumalating on the inner arterial walls even during  the adolescent period. Enough care in  the early years of life can prevent or prolong the disease. Like reducing the LDL cholesterol it is equally important to maintain  the HDL  cholesterol in optimum levels. Besides the oxidation of LDL, HDL cholesterol helps to  flush out LDL throught the lever. In  controlling the cholestrol, more important has to be given to exercise than to the diet. Exercising is a treatment without any side effects.

Take Precaution After All It’s Your Heart

A healthy man should check his cholesterol level when he reaches 30.  Those who are above 40 must check their cholesterol level atleast once in a year, especially those who suffer from diabetis and hypertension.

Cholesterol And Women

The possibility of cardiac arrest among women aged below 50 years is much lower than men of same age group. The female hormone oestrogen is protecting women from cardiac diseases.  Oestrogen is believed to increase the level of good cholesterol HDL. But this security nullifies when the mensus cycle ends. By 60 the chances will be at par with  men. Beyond that age the risk is a bit higher even.