There is a definite connection between high levels of Cholesterol in our bodies and the risk of developing Coronary Heart Disease (CHD). A better understanding of these two factors are critical in avoiding the complications that can occur.
Let us look at these two entities separately.
What is Cholesterol?
It is a soft substance, some what similar to fat and is found in the blood and all the cells of the body. In fact, Cholesterol is needed by the body to insulate nerves and produce hormones. Under normal conditions, the liver produces all the required Cholesterol needed for the body to function optimally. However, this natural balance gets thrown out of gear when Cholesterol enters the body from outside sources, such as the food that is eaten. Animal-based food such as milk, eggs and meat, leads to unhealthy spikes in the levels of Cholesterol and become precursors to Coronary Heart Disease.
Types of Cholesterol:-
There are two types of Cholesterol. Low Density Lipoprotein or LDL and High Density Lipoprotein or HDL.
Let us look at these two entities separately.
What is Cholesterol?
It is a soft substance, some what similar to fat and is found in the blood and all the cells of the body. In fact, Cholesterol is needed by the body to insulate nerves and produce hormones. Under normal conditions, the liver produces all the required Cholesterol needed for the body to function optimally. However, this natural balance gets thrown out of gear when Cholesterol enters the body from outside sources, such as the food that is eaten. Animal-based food such as milk, eggs and meat, leads to unhealthy spikes in the levels of Cholesterol and become precursors to Coronary Heart Disease.
Types of Cholesterol:-
There are two types of Cholesterol. Low Density Lipoprotein or LDL and High Density Lipoprotein or HDL.
- LDL:- This type of Cholesterol is often regarded as the "bad" Cholesterol. It is produced naturally by the body but can also be inherited genetically in abnormal levels. This situation can be further aggravated by eating foods that are high in fat content and cholesterol itself.
- HDL:- This is the "good" Cholesterol. It has been documented that, optimal levels of this type of cholesterol actually counters the adverse effects of LDL and helps in protecting the onset of complications.
- Triglycerides:- This is basically a type of fat that is made by the body. But an inactive lifestyle, a high carbohydrate diet and obesity along with other predisposing factors can lead to a spike in the optimal levels of this fat type. This results in high levels of LDL and low levels of HDL.
Complications of Cholesterol
When there is excess of Cholesterol in the blood, over a period of time, it slowly starts to coat the walls of arteries and narrows it down and at a point, totally stops the passage of blood through the arteries (the minute blood vessels that carry oxygen rich blood to the heart and the brain). Besides this condition, the accumulation of Cholesterol on the walls of the arteries start to harden and eventually a small piece breaks off, called a plaque, which travels in the blood stream to block the flow of oxygen rich blood to some other portion of an important organ.
What is a Heart Attack?
This is a condition which occurs when oxygen rich blood to a portion of the heart muscle is blocked. The resulting sensation is experiencing chest pains, even at rest. This condition is further aggravated when there is complete blockage to the supply of oxygen rich blood to a portion of the heart muscle by the plaque formed by excessive Cholesterol in the blood. The consequence is a heart attack.
The relation between high Cholesterol levels and Heart Attack takes on a more drastic turn in women. As I had mentioned in my earlier posts that, although women have more of Leptin, the fat-regulating hormone as compared to men, but due to the resistance to Leptin, getting rid of the excess fat becomes that much more difficult for women.
This brings us to the question whether high Cholesterol levels and excessive weight could trigger a heart attack in women? The answer is a resounding YES! This is especially true for women in the post-menopause stage. It has been documented that high levels of oestrogen before the onset of menopause, counters the adverse effects of Cholesterol thereby keeping a check on plaque build up. But with the onset of menopause and a subsequent drop in the levels of oestrogen, the risk of heart attack increases. So what does one do?
The best bet would be to take up a weight management program, that not only provides a definite way to lose the excess weight but also to start a healthy diet that is aimed at controlling the excessive intake of Cholesterol. This approach would help in getting back an attractive body minus the fat and also ensure that complications such as heart attacks do not come in the way of aging gracefully!
When there is excess of Cholesterol in the blood, over a period of time, it slowly starts to coat the walls of arteries and narrows it down and at a point, totally stops the passage of blood through the arteries (the minute blood vessels that carry oxygen rich blood to the heart and the brain). Besides this condition, the accumulation of Cholesterol on the walls of the arteries start to harden and eventually a small piece breaks off, called a plaque, which travels in the blood stream to block the flow of oxygen rich blood to some other portion of an important organ.
What is a Heart Attack?
This is a condition which occurs when oxygen rich blood to a portion of the heart muscle is blocked. The resulting sensation is experiencing chest pains, even at rest. This condition is further aggravated when there is complete blockage to the supply of oxygen rich blood to a portion of the heart muscle by the plaque formed by excessive Cholesterol in the blood. The consequence is a heart attack.
The relation between high Cholesterol levels and Heart Attack takes on a more drastic turn in women. As I had mentioned in my earlier posts that, although women have more of Leptin, the fat-regulating hormone as compared to men, but due to the resistance to Leptin, getting rid of the excess fat becomes that much more difficult for women.
This brings us to the question whether high Cholesterol levels and excessive weight could trigger a heart attack in women? The answer is a resounding YES! This is especially true for women in the post-menopause stage. It has been documented that high levels of oestrogen before the onset of menopause, counters the adverse effects of Cholesterol thereby keeping a check on plaque build up. But with the onset of menopause and a subsequent drop in the levels of oestrogen, the risk of heart attack increases. So what does one do?
The best bet would be to take up a weight management program, that not only provides a definite way to lose the excess weight but also to start a healthy diet that is aimed at controlling the excessive intake of Cholesterol. This approach would help in getting back an attractive body minus the fat and also ensure that complications such as heart attacks do not come in the way of aging gracefully!
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