2017

PAPER WORK OF
HIGH CHOLESTEROL
ENGLISH ASSIGNMENT
VYEREN V. MAMARIMBING
A. INTRODUCTION
To understand high blood cholesterol (ko-LES-ter-ol), it helps to learn about
cholesterol. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that’s found in all cells of
the body.
Your body needs some cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D, and
substances that help you digest foods. Your body makes all the cholesterol it
needs. However, cholesterol also is found in some of the foods you eat.
Cholesterol is a fatty substance known as a lipid and is vital for the
normal functioning of the body. It's mainly made by the liver, but can also
be found in some foods.
Having an excessively high level of lipids in your blood (hyperlipidemia)
can have an effect on your health. High cholesterol itself doesn't usually cause
any symptoms, but it increases your risk of serious health conditions.

B. ABOUT CHOLESTEROL
Cholesterol travels through your bloodstream in small packages called
lipoproteins (lip-o-PRO-teens). These packages are made of fat (lipid) on the
inside and proteins on the outside.
Two kinds of lipoproteins carry cholesterol throughout your body: low-
density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL). Having
healthy levels of both types of lipoproteins is important.
LDL cholesterol sometimes is called “bad” cholesterol. A high LDL level
leads to a buildup of cholesterol in your arteries. (Arteries are blood vessels that
carry blood from your heart to your body).
HDL cholesterol sometimes is called “good” cholesterol. This is because it
carries cholesterol from other parts of your body back to your liver. Your liver
removes the cholesterol from your body.
Cholesterol is carried in your blood by proteins. When the two combine,
they're called lipoproteins.
The two main types of lipoprotein are:
 high-density lipoprotein (HDL) – carries cholesterol away from the cells
and back to the liver, where it's either broken down or passed out of the body as
a waste product; for this reason, HDL is referred to as "good cholesterol", and
higher levels are better
  low-density lipoprotein (LDL) – carries cholesterol to the cells that need it,
but if there's too much cholesterol for the cells to use, it can build up in the
artery walls, leading to disease of the arteries; for this reason, LDL is known as
"bad cholesterol".
The amount of cholesterol in the blood – both HDL and LDL – can be
measured with a blood test. The recommended cholesterol levels in the blood
vary between those with a higher or lower risk of developing arterial disease.

C. WHAT IS HIGH CHOLESTEROL?

High blood cholesterol is a condition in which you have too much

cholesterol in your blood. By itself, the condition usually has no signs or
symptoms. Thus, many people don’t know that their cholesterol levels are too
high.

People who have high blood cholesterol have a greater chance of

getting coronary heart disease, also called coronary artery disease. (In this
article, the term “heart disease” refers to coronary heart disease.)

The higher the level of LDL cholesterol in your blood, the GREATER your
chance is of getting heart disease. The higher the level of HDL cholesterol in
your blood, the LOWER your chance is of getting heart disease.

Coronary heart disease is a condition in which plaque (plak) builds up inside

the coronary (heart) arteries. Plaque is made up of cholesterol, fat, calcium, and
other substances found in the blood. When plaque builds up in the arteries, the
condition is calledatherosclerosis (ATH-er-o-skler-O-sis).

Atherosclerosis

Figure A shows the location of the heart in the body. Figure B shows a
normal coronary artery with normal blood flow. The inset image shows a cross-
section of a normal coronary artery. Figure C shows a coronary artery
 narrowed by plaque. The buildup
of plaque limits the flow of oxygen-
rich blood through the artery. The
inset image shows a cross-section
of the plaque-narrowed artery.

Over time, plaque hardens and

narrows your coronary arteries.
This limits the flow of oxygen-rich
blood to the heart.

Eventually, an area of plaque

can rupture (break open). This
causes a blood clot to form on the
surface of the plaque. If the clot becomes large enough, it can mostly or
completely block blood flow through a coronary artery.

If the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your heart muscle is reduced or

blocked, angina (an-JI-nuh or AN-juh-nuh) or a heart attack may occur.

Angina is chest pain or discomfort. It may feel like pressure or squeezing in

your chest. The pain also may occur in your shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or
back. Angina pain may even feel like indigestion.

A heart attack occurs if the flow of oxygen-rich blood to a section of heart

muscle is cut off. If blood flow isn’t restored quickly, the section of heart
muscle begins to die. Without quick treatment, a heart attack can lead to serious
problems or death.

Plaque also can build up in other arteries in your body, such as the arteries
that bring oxygen-rich blood to your brain and limbs. This can lead to problems
such as carotid artery disease, stroke, and peripheral artery disease.

D. WHY SHOULD I LOWER MY CHOLESTEROL?

Evidence strongly indicates that high cholesterol can increase the risk of:
 narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis)
 heart attack
 stroke
 transient ischaemic attack (TIA) – often known as a "mini stroke"
 peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
 This is because cholesterol can build up in the artery wall, restricting the
blood flow to your heart, brain and the rest of your body. It also increases the
risk of a blood clot developing somewhere in your body.
Your risk of developing coronary heart disease also rises as your blood's
cholesterol level increases. This can cause pain in your chest or arm during
stress or physical activity (angina).

E. WHAT CAUSES HIGH CHOLESTEROL?

Many factors can increase your chances of having heart problems or a stroke
if you have high cholesterol.
These include:
 an unhealthy diet – in particular, eating high levels of saturated fat
 smoking – a chemical found in cigarettes called acrolein stops HDL
transporting cholesterol from fatty deposits to the liver, leading to narrowing of
the arteries (atherosclerosis)
 having diabetes or high blood pressure (hypertension)
 having a family history of stroke or heart disease
There's also an inherited condition called familial hypercholesterolaemia,
which can cause high cholesterol even in someone who eats healthily.
Read more about the causes of high cholesterol.

F. WHEN SHOULD MY CHOLESTEROL LEVELS BE TESTED?

Your GP may recommend that you have your blood cholesterol levels tested if
you:
 have been diagnosed with coronary heart disease, stroke or mini stroke
(TIA), or peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
 have a family history of early cardiovascular disease
 have a close family member who has a cholesterol-related condition
  are overweight
 have high blood pressure, diabetes, or a health condition that can increase
cholesterol levels.

G. WHAT SHOULD MY CHOLESTEROL LEVELS BE?

Blood cholesterol is measured in units called millimoles per litre of blood,
often shortened to mmol/L.
As a general guide, total cholesterol levels should be:
 5mmol/L or less for healthy adults

 4mmol/L or less for those at high risk

As a general guide, LDL levels should be:

 3mmol/L or less for healthy adults

 2mmol/L or less for those at high risk

An ideal level of HDL is above 1mmol/L. A lower level of HDL can

increase your risk of heart disease.
Your ratio of total cholesterol to HDL may also be calculated. This is your
total cholesterol level divided by your HDL level. Generally, this ratio should
be below four, as a higher ratio increases your risk of heart disease.
However, cholesterol is only one risk factor and the level at which specific
treatment is required will depend on whether other risk factors, such as smoking
and high blood pressure, are also present.

H. HOW CAN I LOWER MY CHOLESTEROL LEVEL?

The first step in reducing your cholesterol is to maintain a healthy, balanced
diet. It's important to keep your diet low in fatty food. You can swap food
containing saturated fat for fruit, vegetables and wholegrain cereals. This will
also help prevent high cholesterol returning.
Other lifestyle changes, such as taking regular exercise and giving up
smoking (if you smoke), can also make a big difference in helping to lower
your cholesterol. If these measures don't reduce your cholesterol and you
continue to have a high risk of developing heart disease, your GP may prescribe
a cholesterol-lowering medication, such as statins.
Your GP will take into account the risk of any side effects from statins, and
the benefit of lowering your cholesterol must outweigh any risks.
 It is not hard to find ways to lower high
cholesterol, but it does take making simple
changes and being consistent with those
changes. Don’t expect to see a lower
cholesterol with one day of eating salads, it
will take a little more effort.
Here are few tips to lower cholesterol,
especially your bad (LDL) and raise your
good (HDL) cholesterol:
Lose Weight: Yes, shedding a few
pounds can lower your cholesterol! Don’t
aim to drop 10lbs in one week. Losing
weight slowly and steadily, approximately 1-2 pounds per week, will produce
better long term results and will be something you can manage and maintain! A
good place to start can be to reduce caloric intake and we can help you do that
in a smart way at Blue Sky MD!
Drop the Smokes: Smoking is so old school! One of the best ways to lower
cholesterol is to get rid of the cigarettes because they can increase your bad
cholesterol. This is the opposite of what we want to happen to help manage
cholesterol! Will it be easy? Probably not but you have the power to do it!
Cut Out Trans Fats and Processed Foods: That’s right. Trans fats can
lower the good and raise the bad cholesterol. The #1 way to try and avoid most
trans fats is to shop around the perimeter of the grocery store. You know, where
the vegetables, fruit, meat and eggs live. Eating an overall cleaner diet can help
you to avoid these risky fats that are oftentimes found in baked goods, pre-
packaged foods and definitely fried foods. To manage cholesterol, start reading
your labels and paying attention to the breakdown of fat content!
Exercise: Not only will exercise help you lose weight but it has positive
effects on your cholesterol and it’s something so easy to do! Even if it’s starting
off just walking 10min per day, you are making a change from not doing
anything. A good way to stay motivated is to get a workout partner and start
scheduling it as a necessary part of your day!
Increase Fiber: Increasing your soluble fiber intake keeps your body from
absorbing cholesterol! Some high fiber sources to start incorporating into your
diet include oatmeal, apples, prunes, and beans. Not only will these foods help
with cholesterol, they will also help to regulate your digestive system!
 Healthy Fats are Good: Fat is not always a bad thing as long as we are
eating the right kind. Fish is a great way to increase your omega-3’s which is
great for the heart! Aim for fish such as salmon, tuna and sardines. Switching
oils can also aid in heart health and overall cholesterol. Try using an extra-
virgin olive oil which is less processed and contains good antioxidants. One
more way to get in some good fats is through nuts! These yummy snacks
contain sterols which can keep the body from absorbing cholesterol. Just watch
your portion sizes because they are very caloric!
I. OUTLOOK
Lowering your cholesterol may
slow, reduce, or even stop the buildup
of plaque in your arteries. It also may
reduce the risk of plaque rupturing
and causing dangerous blood clots.

The image focuses on high

cholesterol in women and explains
how high cholesterol increases the
risk of developing heart disease. An
estimated 1 in 2 women has high or
borderline high cholesterol.

The image also lists the ranges of

total cholesterol numbers for high,
borderline high, and desirable
cholesterol levels, and breaks down
the percentage of women who have
high cholesterol in their twenties,
thirties, forties, and fifties.
 REFERENCE

Sources: National Center for Health Statistics (2007–2010). National Health and
Nutrition Examination Survey; National Center for Health Statistics (2005–
2008). National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey; National Heart, Lung,
and Blood Institute, National Cholesterol Education Program (2002). Third report
of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) exert panel on detection,
evaluation, and treatment of high blood cholesterol in adults (Adult Treatment
Panel III) final report.
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hbc/
https://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/cholesterol/Pages/Introduction.aspx
https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/your-heart/know-your-risks/blood-cholesterol