High cholesterol: causes. Cholesterol level: normal

Cardiovascular diseases can be compared to an epidemic that managed to capture the entire planet. They are in the first place in terms of the number of deaths, leaving even cancer behind. The main culprit doctors unanimously declared high cholesterol. The reasons for the excess of this element, which is necessary for all cells of the human body, can be different - from malnutrition to disease.

Norm and deviations

Determining if the level of cholesterol is normal, doctors take into account the sex and age of a person. The concentration of this substance in the blood will be different for men, women and children. Changes the analysis and pregnancy, because the healthy development of the fetus requires an increased content of cholesterol in the body of the future mother.

Rates according to age and sex:

• If the test for cholesterol is carried out for a child, weight and age are taken into account in determining the norm. On average, the normal value is in the range of 2.8 to 5.2 mmol. One should also remember the incessant growth of the child's organism, the more active production of cholesterol by the liver.
• Normal values for a healthy male are 2.24-4.9 mmol.
• Cholesterol in women should not exceed the range of 2.0-4.6 mmol. At pregnancy the figure is capable to increase twice, and it is absolutely normal.

Causes of "bad" cholesterol

Factors leading to a deviation of cholesterol from the norm may be internal and external. Most often in a high concentration of this substance in the body are accused:

• Diseases (genetic and acquired);
• sedentary lifestyle;
• Overweight ;
• Malnutrition;
• Taking a number of medications;
• bad habits;
• age.

Age is not a factor directly influencing the appearance of such a problem as high cholesterol. The reasons why people after 45 are listed as a risk group are more likely to be associated with a chronic illness that is present in their history.

Diseases and treatment

Among the hereditary diseases with which high cholesterol is most often associated, one can name nephropathies, arterial hypertension, cardiac pathologies, diabetes mellitus. Analyzes are recommended to be handed over to people in the family of whom there were already abnormalities in the work of the endocrine system, malfunctions of the cardiovascular system.

Danger is also present in the pathology of the liver, which can be acquired or genetic. The liver is actually a filter responsible for the processing of useful and harmful elements, among which cholesterol is also present. Violation of metabolic processes can result in an increase in the indices of low density lipoproteins.

If a person has high cholesterol, the reasons can be not only in diseases, but also in the treatment of medical drugs. Potential threat are considered beta-adrenoblockers, ACE inhibitors, diuretics, oral contraceptives. All these funds can be taken only after consultation with the attending physician.

Food and weight

People with high cholesterol levels will have to contend with "industrial" food. This is a variety of sausages, sausages, smoked products, sweet fizzy drinks, chocolate bars. Danger is represented by fatty, fried foods. Before buying products, you should pay attention to the label. Trans fats are more harmful to the body than the banal fat, which has animal origin.

Care requires meat and meat. It is best to refuse dishes from fat lamb and beef, pork, goose, duck. In limited quantities, lean beef and veal are allowed. The least threat is the rabbit, turkey, chicken, rabbit. It is desirable to cook or cook meat, and not fry or bake. Doctors recommend that people at risk do not get involved with eggs.

Cholesterol in the blood of people suffering from excess weight, also often exceeds normal values. Cardiovascular system, liver, kidneys are exposed to a risky load.

Wrong way of life

An increasing number of people lead a sedentary lifestyle. Refusal to walk, sit-down work, watches spent watching TV and computer games - the result is the deposition of fats, salts on the vascular walls, stagnation of blood. Coping with this will help only regular physical activity (at least twice a week), long walks.

Of bad habits, smoking is the most dangerous. Nicotine increases the viscosity of the blood, causes narrowing of the arteries. As a result, cholesterol in the blood goes beyond the norm. From this dangerous predilection it is necessary to refuse first of all, otherwise the development of heart diseases is possible.

Controlling cholesterol

Regular measurement of cholesterol, produced at home, is becoming increasingly popular. This allows people without undue time to keep under control its concentration in the blood, taking timely measures in the form of medicines, diets. The main advantage, which is provided by modern measuring instruments, is the opportunity to know the exact result within a minute without visiting the hospital.

The kit, created for home control, includes special test strips, processed with chemical compounds, providing a highly accurate result.

Measuring instruments

Among the most popular devices is the Easy Touch analyzer, using which you can establish not only the concentration of cholesterol, but also the content of hemoglobin, glucose. Doctors recommend the device to patients suffering from lipid metabolism disorders. The blood collection is minimal, the indicators are ready in a few seconds.

We also offer portable models with miniature dimensions, for example, the Accutrend GC, which provides a convenient and high-precision measurement of cholesterol. In memory, you can save up to 20 results, remember the analysis time and date.

We are treated with pills

A person who has high cholesterol, causes and consequences can not be eliminated solely by diet alone. It is not recommended to prescribe medications without consulting a doctor.

Remedies for high cholesterol:

• Satiny. These drugs stop the production of enzymes that are mandatory for the production of this substance in the blood. Depending on what dose is prescribed to the patient, from the characteristics of the body, these drugs can reduce the rates by 60%. The most popular satin from cholesterol is tablets "Lovastatin", "Fluvastatin", "Cerivastatin". Their use can cause side effects - pain in the muscles, liver, disruption of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Fibric acids. They activate oxidation in the liver of fatty acids, reduce the concentration of triglycerides, LDL. Among these drugs are "Gemfibrozil", "Fenofibrate", "Clofibrate." They can cause stomach upset, and other consequences are possible.

Prevent an increased concentration of cholesterol in the blood is much easier than to get rid of this problem. Proper nutrition, a flexible way of life, rejection of dangerous habits, attentive attitude to health - effective preventive measures.