Cholesterol, being similar to fat, requires assistance to navigate the bloodstream due to its inability to mix with water. It’s transported via lipoproteins, acting like cargo trucks, delivering cholesterol to various tissues for utilization, storage, or excretion. However, an excessive amount of circulating cholesterol can damage arteries, particularly the coronary arteries that supply the heart. This leads to the buildup of cholesterol-rich plaque within the artery linings, a condition known as atherosclerosis.
When blood flow to the heart is restricted, the heart muscle suffers from oxygen deprivation, resulting in chest pain (angina). A complete blockage of a coronary artery due to atherosclerosis can trigger a heart attack (myocardial infarction) or even death.
Cardiovascular disease remains a major health concern in Western countries. Statistics from the American Heart Association reveal that over 70 million Americans are affected by cardiovascular disease (CVD), incurring a national cost of nearly $400 billion. Every 45 seconds, someone in America experiences a stroke.
Several risk factors elevate the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease:
1. Being overweight or obese
2. Elevated blood cholesterol levels
3. Lack of sufficient physical activity
4. High blood pressure (hypertension)
5. Smoking
6. Excessive alcohol consumption
7. Diabetes
The presence of multiple risk factors significantly compounds the overall risk of heart disease. Mitigating these risk factors can substantially reduce the chances of developing cardiovascular disease. While high cholesterol alone may not pose an immediate threat, it can become a critical factor when combined with other pre-existing heart disease risks.
Therefore, knowing your cholesterol levels and maintaining them within a healthy range is crucial for preventative care.
**Understanding Cholesterol Levels**
A total cholesterol level of 240 mg/dL or higher is considered high, significantly increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. In such cases, LDL and HDL cholesterol levels should be tested, and a doctor should be consulted for advice. Approximately 20% of the U.S. population has high blood cholesterol.
Levels between 200 and 239 mg/dL are categorized as borderline-high, affecting about a third of American adults. It’s important to note that individuals with a total cholesterol level of 240 mg/dL have double the risk of coronary heart disease compared to those with a level of 200 mg/dL. Physical activity does affect cholesterol, though other factors play a role as well.
**Other Factors Influencing Cholesterol Levels:**
* **Heredity:** Genetic predisposition plays a role in cholesterol levels, with high cholesterol often running in families. If your parents have high cholesterol, it’s recommended to get tested.
* **Age and Gender:** Before menopause, women generally have lower total cholesterol levels than men of the same age. However, cholesterol levels tend to increase with age in both sexes. Menopause is frequently associated with increased LDL cholesterol in women.
* **Stress:** While direct links between stress and cholesterol levels haven’t been firmly established, stress may indirectly contribute to higher cholesterol if it leads to unhealthy eating habits, like consuming fatty foods.
* **Excess Weight:** Being overweight can elevate cholesterol levels. Weight loss, especially when excess weight is concentrated in the abdominal region, can help lower cholesterol.