The Link Between Cholesterol Levels and Heart Health

cholesterol levels and heart health

Learn about the link between cholesterol levels and heart health.

We all basically know that there is a link between cholesterol and heart health, but do you know why? The key is to separate the good from the bad and strike a balance for optimal heart health. Today, we’re going to tell you how to do that.

Cholesterol and Your Heart 

Cholesterol is a waxy substance that naturally exists in our veins, flowing through our bodies inside our blood. It’s an essential substance that helps our body to build healthy cells. Too much cholesterol; however, can have the opposite effect, building up in our arteries and increasing your risk of heart disease.

Cholesterol Dangers

People who have high levels of cholesterol in their blood are at risk for many health problems, including heart disease (including heart attack) and stroke. What happens is the waxy substance starts to build up on the sides of your blood vessels. Over time, the build-up starts to affect how efficiently blood can pass through your veins. It may block it completely or come loose, forming a clot and causes a heart attack or stroke.

Who’s at Risk?

There are many studies that suggest a genetic link between cholesterol levels and heart health. If you have a family history of heart disease, it’s important for you to pay close attention to your cholesterol levels. A healthy diet, regular exercise, using heart healthy supplements, and yearly visits to your doctor are all things that you can do to help treat and prevent heart disease.

Types of Cholesterol 

So, the confusing thing is that there are two types of cholesterol, and one you actually need to support heart health. Once you understand how to identify the good over the bad, the easier it will be to make healthier choices for your heart.

HDL Cholesterol (Good) – Healthy levels may protect you against heart attack and stroke. HDL is responsible for carrying bad cholesterol away from the heart and depositing it in the liver for disposal.

LDL Cholesterol (Bad) – This is the type that leaves fatty build-ups in your arteries, causing them to narrow and lead to potentially life threatening conditions such as heart attack and stroke.

Increasing Heart Health

Every choice you make towards improving your heart health makes a difference. Here are some examples of foods to focus on and avoid.

Food that are Heart Healthy – High HDL, Low LDL

  • Oats and barley
  • Beans and Lentils
  • Nuts (Walnuts, Peanuts, and Almonds)
  • Fatty Fish (Sardines, Mackerel, and Salmon)
  • Olive Oil
  • Citrus Fruits
  • Apples
  • Strawberries and Grapes
  • Okra
  • Eggplant
  • Soybeans

Food that are Not Heart Healthy – High LDL, Low HDL

  • Baked Sweets (Donuts, Cakes, Cookies, and Pastries)
  • Lard And Shortening
  • Most Fried Foods
  • Most Fast Foods
  • Whole Fat Dairy (Butter, Milk, Cheese, and Cream)
  • Fatty Red Meat
  • Highly Processed Meat
  • Fatty Poultry

It’s clear that there is a link between cholesterol levels and heart health. It may be hard at first to change your eating habits, but it gets easier the more you try. Nutritional supplements may help fill in gaps in your diet. For starters, try CholestPro or CholestePure by Professional Supplement Center.

What kinds of things do you do to increase your heart health? Tell us in the comments below.

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