What to do if cholesterol is high
In recent years, with the improvement of living standards, the problem of high cholesterol has gradually become a health hazard that plagues many people. Excessive cholesterol may cause cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, so how to scientifically manage cholesterol levels has become a hot topic. The following are the cholesterol management methods and related data that have been hotly discussed on the Internet in the past 10 days to help you better deal with this problem.
1. The dangers of high cholesterol
Excessive cholesterol can lead to serious diseases such as atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, and stroke. The following are health problems that high cholesterol can cause:
| health risks | Description |
|---|---|
| atherosclerosis | Cholesterol deposits in blood vessel walls, causing blood vessels to narrow |
| coronary heart disease | Insufficient blood supply to the heart, causing angina or myocardial infarction |
| stroke | Blockage or rupture of cerebral blood vessels, causing brain tissue damage |
| high blood pressure | Decreased blood vessel elasticity and increased blood pressure |
2. Causes of high cholesterol
Understanding the causes of elevated cholesterol can help target improvements. The following are common causes of high cholesterol:
| Cause classification | Specific performance |
|---|---|
| dietary factors | Excessive intake of high-fat and high-cholesterol foods |
| lifestyle | Lack of exercise, sitting for long periods of time, smoking and drinking alcohol |
| genetic factors | familial hypercholesterolemia |
| Other diseases | Diabetes, hypothyroidism, etc. |
3. Effective ways to lower cholesterol
According to recent health discussions, the following methods have been shown to be effective in lowering cholesterol levels:
1. Diet adjustment
A scientific diet is the basis for controlling cholesterol. The following dietary principles are recommended:
| food category | Recommended food | restrict food |
|---|---|---|
| Staple food | Whole grains, oats, brown rice | Refined rice noodles, pastries |
| protein | Fish, soy products, skinless poultry | Fatty meat, organ meats, processed meat |
| Fats | Olive oil, nuts, deep sea fish oil | Animal oil, butter, coconut oil |
| Fruits and vegetables | Various fresh fruits and vegetables | Fried vegetables, high-sugar fruits |
2. Exercise suggestions
Regular exercise can increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Recommended exercise program:
| exercise type | Frequency | duration | intensity |
|---|---|---|---|
| aerobics | 5-7 times a week | 30-60 minutes | medium intensity |
| strength training | 2-3 times a week | 20-30 minutes | step by step |
| flexibility exercises | daily | 10-15 minutes | gentle stretch |
3. Medication
When lifestyle modifications are not effective, your doctor may recommend medication. Common cholesterol-lowering drugs include:
| drug type | Representative medicine | Mechanism of action |
|---|---|---|
| Statins | Atorvastatin, rosuvastatin | Inhibit cholesterol synthesis |
| cholesterol absorption inhibitor | Ezetimibe | Reduce intestinal absorption |
| PCSK9 inhibitors | alircumab | Enhance LDL clearance |
| Bile acid sequestrants | Cholestyramine | Promote bile acid excretion |
4. Common misunderstandings about cholesterol management
In recent discussions, experts pointed out several common misunderstandings about cholesterol:
| Misunderstanding | facts |
|---|---|
| All cholesterol is bad | HDL is the "good cholesterol" and is good for your health |
| Thin people do not have high cholesterol | There is no necessary link between body shape and cholesterol levels |
| You can lower cholesterol by not eating foods containing cholesterol | A greater proportion of cholesterol is synthesized in the body |
| Young people don’t need to worry about cholesterol | Arteriosclerosis may start at a young age |
5. Regular monitoring and personalized management
Cholesterol management requires long-term persistence and regular monitoring. Suggestions:
| crowd | Detection frequency | Target value (mmol/L) |
|---|---|---|
| healthy adults | Once every 5 years | Total cholesterol <5.2 |
| high risk groups | once a year | LDL<2.6 |
| People who are already sick | every 3-6 months | LDL<1.8 |
Through a combination of scientific diet, exercise, medication, and monitoring, most people's cholesterol levels can be effectively controlled. It is recommended to develop a personalized management plan under the guidance of a doctor, and never self-medicate or go on an extreme diet. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is the long-term solution.
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