Cholesterol, what do you know?

Article published on 24 August 2015

It seems not so long ago that older people had their own set of health related issues. but over time the gap between having to manage these so called old peoples problems and our present health became smaller and smaller. And it wasn't only the natural aging that brought us closer to these issues but our modern lifestyler ensured that anybody was susceptible.

One of the main culprits here is cholesterol. This is not only something your granny had to watch, but it seems that cholesterol levels can have an impact on anybody.

What is cholesterol?

A crucial part of your body's functioning, cholesterol is a waxy substance found in almost all the cells of the body, aiding in the production of vitamin D, certain hormones and even helping with the digestive process.

Cholesterol is commonly broken up into two types: low-density-lipoproteins and high-density-lipoproteins; LDL and HDL

Good Cholesterol vs: Bad Cholesterol

LDL is often referred to as bad cholesterol because it leads to a build up of cholesterol in the arteries. HDL on the other hand performs the 'good' duties by carrying cholesterol from the different parts of the body to the liver where it is removed from the body.

What are the effects of too much 'Bad Cholesterol'

Coronary disease or Heart Disease is one of the foremost known consequences of ineffectively managed cholesterol. Coronary heart disease is the result of a build up of cholesterol, fats, calcium and a number of other substances in the blood. This build up attaches itself to the wall of the arteries and causes them to narrow and become incapable of functioning properly, limiting the amount of oxygen rich blood that reaches the heart. A lack of oxygen rich blood to the heart can result in a heart attack.

What are the benefits of having your cholesterol tested?

Fluctuating cholesterol levels can not be felt by the patient, so a physical check needs to be done to determine the levels and decide on a plan of action to bring everything back into line again.

A doctor will be able to advise on the suitable plan of action based on the test results; these will usually include dietary and lifestyle changes including an increase in exercise.