September is recognized as National Cholesterol Education Month, a great opportunity to reflect the relevance of heart health, by understanding what cholesterol involves, the potential risks and most importantly, how to prevent this issue.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, high cholesterol being a main factor. But what exactly is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a type of lipid essential to the human body. The liver is in charge of producing the cholesterol that the body needs to build cells, produce hormones and digest food.
There are two types of cholesterol:
- HDL (High-density lipoprotein):
Commonly known as good cholesterol, removes the cholesterol that the body doesn’t need.
- LDL (Low-density lipoprotein):
Also known as bad cholesterol. High levels of LDL contribute to the buildup of plaques in arteries.
High cholesterol has no symptoms, so the only way to know is to get a blood test by a professional.
Some risks factor to look for:
- Family history
- Unhealthy lifestyle
- Age
How to prevent high cholesterol:
- Physical activity
Daily moderate exercise is crucial to maintain heart function. Low maintenance activities such as yoga can contribute to reducing cholesterol levels.
- Healthy diet
Limiting dairy products, meat and fried foods, and instead eating more fiber, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and oils.
- Avoid smoking
Smoking increases the risk of suffering a heart attack or a stroke.
- Regular screening
According to The American Heart Association, adults should check their cholesterol levels every 4 to 6 years.
It is important to keep track of your cardiovascular system regularly to detect and reduce risks. University Medical Center of El Paso (UMC) counts health professionals who are willing to help to control and prevent high cholesterol. At UMC El Paso we want to encourage people to get their cholesterol levels checked, call 1-800-473-8440 or 915-479-3484.
