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

Cholesterol Dangers

People who have high levels of cholesterol in their blood are at risk for many health problems, such as heart disease (including heart attack) and stroke. This happens because over time, as cholesterol starts to accumulate on the sides of your blood vessels, the waxy build-up starts to affect how efficiently blood can pass through your veins. Cholesterol build-up may cause a complete block or come loose, forming a clot and causing 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 

There are two types of cholesterol: good cholesterol and bad cholesterol. You actually need good cholesterol 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 of good cholesterol 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 of cholesterol 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.

Improving Heart Health

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

Foods to Eat for Heart Health (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

Foods to Avoid (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 Cholesterol Complete by BioSpec Nutritionals.

or CholestePure by Professional Supplement Center.

FAQS

Can high cholesterol cause high blood pressure?

Yes, there is a link between high cholesterol and high blood pressure. High cholesterol increases your risk of developing high blood pressure. High blood pressure and high cholesterol are the two leading causes of heart disease.

What should I do if my cholesterol is too high?

There are lifestyle changes you can make to lower your cholesterol. While in some cases, high cholesterol will require medication, your doctor may recommend trying lifestyle changes like eating heart healthy foods, exercising most days of the week, losing weight, and quitting smoking first (or in addition to medication).