Knowing cholesterol's undetectable, quiet effects on the heart

Heart attacks have become dangerously common, and doctors are now warning that untreated heart problems can cost many more lives.Unmanaged cholesterol is a common cause of heart disease, so it is important for us to understand the term and the harm it can do.We talked with two leading cardiologists to learn more about the good and bad cholesterol, what puts people at risk, and what they can do to reduce cholesterol levels.Good cholesterol vs.bad cholesterol If you think that cholesterol in any sense is unhealthy, you are wrong.

Our cells are coated with a cholesterol-rich membrane.It is necessary for the production of certain hormones.As measured by Dr. Jaideep Menon, Consultant, Adult Cardiology, Amrita Hospital, Kochi, Cholesterol is composed of the following components: LDL (low density lipoprotein), HDL (high density lipoprotein), VLDL (very low-density lipoprotein), and Triglycerides.Each of these fractions also has sub-fractions with varying degrees of atherogenicity (like the ability to establish atheroma or blockages in vessels).

The absolute value of cholesterol that could be considered healthy is influenced by the age and presence of other risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, smoking, or a family history of heart disease.The heart risk can also be determined by the LDL to the HDL ratio, which should be less than 3.5 and ideally less than 2.5.What causes the accumulation of bad cholesterol?The human body's processes are amazing.

When food isn't burned up, it is converted into cholesterol by the liver and stored.Over time, an excess of cholesterol settles in the arteries' walls, which in turn becomes a block (atherosclerosis).Dr. Ankur Phatarpekar, an Interventional Cardiologist and structural heart specialist at Symbiosis Hospital, Mumbai, says, High cholesterol does not come without symptoms and warnings, so it is extremely important to monitor your cholesterol levels at regular intervals.It should be included in regular body examinations.

According to Dr Menon, cholesterol can be deposited on the tendons of the knees and elbows as xanthomas when it is deposited over the eyelids in yellowish bulges (xanthelasma).Since a rise in cholesterol does not cause symptoms like diabetes and hypertension, it is often ignored, resulting in tragic consequences.Who is at risk of developing cholesterol-related complications?Dr. Phatarpekar explains that some people have a family tendency to develop high cholesterol, which makes them vulnerable to heart disease at a young age.

According to some research, Indian children are at risk of high cholesterol in their early teens as well.This has mainly to do with a unhealthy lifestyle and less healthy lifestyles.No gender is spared from the cholera bane, but it is just more prevalent in males than in pre-menopausal women.In the case of cholesterol, gender is not a risk determinant.

Burning up whatever one consumes through physical fitness and workout will certainly help prevent cholesterol from rising.Avoiding high calorie diets and red meats, including a lot of greens and fruits in one's diet, and avoiding deep fried and bakery items will help reduce cholesterol.According to reports, nuts such as cashew nuts, walnuts, and almonds in small amounts improve good cholesterol, with the added benefit of antioxidants in them, which help prevent atherosclerosis.The risk of atherosclerosis caused by a high cholesterol is directly related to the presence or absence of other concomitant risk factors, such as: diet habits, sedentary habits, stress, etc.

Diabetes patients must keep their cholesterol levels below normal.Therefore, for the majority of diabetics, checking their blood sugar every three to six months is also necessary, because diabetes is a second hormonal imbalance that can increase cholesterol levels in the body, and even thyroid contributes to cholesterol abnormalities.