If you are over 20 years old, you should measure your cholesterol at least every 5 years. Cholesterol levels can be measured with a blood test called a lipid panel.
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4 habits that make cholesterol problems worse
If you are over 20 years old, you should measure your cholesterol at least every 5 years. Cholesterol levels can be measured with a blood test called a lipid panel.
4 habits that make cholesterol problems worse |
There are other factors that affect your cholesterol levels, but you may not be aware of them. In this article, let’s find out what mistakes you make without your knowledge and what causes cholesterol to rise. Read on to take a closer look and improve your cholesterol problems!
What is cholesterol?
Your body needs cholesterol, but excessive amounts can accumulate in your blood vessels and cause cardiovascular problems.
Cholesterol is a soft, waxy fat found both in the body and in the blood. It has a number of useful functions that can help you in good health.
However, very high blood cholesterol levels can increase the risk of myocardial infarction or stroke.
How to measure cholesterol
If you are over 20 years old, you should measure your cholesterol at least every 5 years. A blood test called a lipid panel can measure your cholesterol level. These tests provide information on:
- Total cholesterol: The total amount of cholesterol in the blood. It includes both low-density lipoprotein (LDL cholesterol) and high-density lipoprotein or HDL cholesterol.
- Bad cholesterol (LDL): It is the cholesterol that accumulates in arteries and causes blockage.
Read More: 7 foods in your diet to control cholesterol
Habits that make cholesterol problems worse
1. Stress
Some studies have linked stress hormones to increased blood cholesterol.
Stress is a very common condition today and can have serious consequences for your body if it lasts for a long time. But does stress cause high cholesterol?
Stress can increase blood pressure, cause insomnia, change habits, and change mental performance and mental state. Even so, can it increase the body’s cholesterol?
In this regard, one study observed that mental and emotional stress increased cholesterol levels in healthy men by 11% compared to controls. It also found a link between cholesterol and the stress hormone cortisol. This can be a key part of the relationship between cardiovascular disease and dyslipidemia.
2. Alcohol
When it comes to cholesterol, alcohol consumption is a matter of balance. Adequate alcohol consumption has been shown to increase good cholesterol levels and is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease.
On the other hand, excessive alcohol consumption can negatively affect blood lipid levels and eventually lead to heart health problems. As you can see, the key is to drink alcohol in moderation so as not to harm your health.
Read more: 5 exercises for people with high blood pressure
3. Smoking
In addition to raising blood cholesterol levels, cigarettes can also make you more susceptible to other cardiovascular and respiratory problems.
Smoking affects the cardiovascular system in several ways, including reducing oxygen and causing heart wear. The reason these disorders appear or increase is that nicotine can increase platelet aggregation, blood cholesterol and triglycerides.
Carbon monoxide also raises blood cholesterol, among other harmful effects. Therefore, smoking “low nicotine” cigarettes does not reduce the risk of disease. This is because smokers generally smoke more cigarettes to supplement less nicotine, increasing carbon monoxide and subsequent problems.
4. oral contraceptives
Birth control pills have a number of side effects on women’s health, including increased cholesterol. However, not all birth control pills have the same effect, and not all types of cholesterol are bad.
There is only one type of hormone in a gestagen-based birth control pill, and it is usually produced as a small pill. These contraceptives have many advantages and are very effective. It can also be used while breastfeeding.
Unfortunately, it has a cholesterol synergistic effect. These pills often raise LDL or bad cholesterol and reduce HDL or good cholesterol. Therefore, it is essential to have a control test every few months if you choose these contraceptives.
Points to note about cholesterol problems
In order for the body to function well, it is necessary to maintain a balance between the two cholesterols to avoid cardiovascular problems caused by high cholesterol levels. A balanced diet and physical exercise are essential for a healthy life and improving cholesterol problems.
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