Cholesterol Control Urged by Experts
by Chrysalis De Vera in Fitness on Feb 15, 2011
Experts are concerned with people having high levels of cholesterol. With this, they have presented ways on how to control cholesterol level.
First, experts say to get screened. The US Preventive Services Task Force has recommended men should have their cholesterol levels checked by the time they reach the age of 35 and women by the age of 45. According to the task force, men and women with an increased risk of heart disease should have their cholesterol levels checked by the age of 20.
For some doctors, cholesterol levels are needed to be checked in early adulthood, or if the person has a history relating to cholesterol problems, then he should be checked during his childhood phase.
Second, experts suggest knowing our numbers, in terms of cholesterol level. Having the knowledge on your total cholesterol is useful. The breakdown of LDL and HDL should also be known, because the levels vary from each individual depending on his or her risk factors.
Doctors say that patients, who have risk factors such as smoking and have a history of heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure, will most probably have an LDL that ranges from 100 to 130 milligrams of cholesterol per deciliter of blood. Meanwhile, for those who don’t have these risk factors, the LDL will range from 70 to 100 milligrams only.
The HDL rate must be above 60 milligrams per deciliter for men and women, whether they have risk factors or not.
Last, they suggest changing our lifestyle. Exercise is one of the most common ways to convert bad cholesterol into a good one. Healthy diet is also recommended, eating foods which are low in fat and dietary cholesterol, and eating more fiber.
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