Cholesterol Quick Facts

Men's Health, Prevention, Women's Health

Like so many things, cholesterol is healthy at some levels and unhealthy at high levels. Good, balanced cholesterol is necessary for hormone production, vitamin D, and the digestion of fatty foods. Cholesterol is an essential building block for cell membranes. The two types of cholesterol – LDL (bad cholesterol) and HDL (good cholesterol) – must be kept in balance to prevent harmful build-up.

About Cholesterol

- A waxy, fat-like substance found in all cells of the body

- Transported throughout the body through the bloodstream

- Produced by the liver but also comes from the foods we eat, including trans fats, sugars, refined carbohydrates, and animal fats

Risk Factors

Excess cholesterol in the body can be caused by lifestyle or genetic factors, and more risk factors equal more overall risk.

- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes

Cholesterol is a major controllable risk factor for coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke.

Controlling Cholesterol

- Eat healthy

- Exercise regularly

- Control your weight

- Make healthy lifestyle choices

- Test your cholesterol regularly (higher levels = higher risk)

High Cholesterol

High cholesterol in the blood can combine with other substances to form plaque, which sticks to artery walls, creating a condition called atherosclerosis. This can lead to coronary artery disease, whereby coronary arteries (heart muscle) may become narrowed or blocked and a clot may produce a heart attack or stroke.

Sources:

https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/about-cholesterol
https://www.dicardiology.com/article/acc-and-aha-release-updated-cholesterol-guidelines-2018

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