Cholesterol and heart attacks have often been linked in medical research. Your risk of suffering from a heart attack is greater if you have high blood cholesterol levels.
Heart disease leads to more deaths each year in the United States than any other disease.
In this article, you will understand the connection between cholesterol and heart attacks and why it is a silent killer. Then you will find out what cholesterol numbers are considered dangerous that may lead to a heart attack. Finally, at the end, you will discover a number of ways to lower cholesterol safely and how I lowered cholesterol by 58 points in 2 months.
Cholesterol and Heart Attacks – What Is The Connection?
Your body uses cholesterol for proper liver functioning and the waxy, fat-like substance is an important building block for the billions of cell membranes in your body.
However, if you have too much cholesterol in your blood, it will stick to the inner lining of your blood vessels leading to plaque.
Arteries can build up with plaque resulting in a condition commonly referred to as “hardening of the arteries.” This condition is the ultimate link between cholesterol and heart attacks.
Plaque buildup in your arteries narrows the walls and reduces the supply of oxygen-rich blood to your heart.
As plaque continues to grow it blocks the blood supply to the heart muscle leading to a heart attack.
High Cholesterol and Heart Attacks – A Silent Killer?
You may not know you have high cholesterol levels. Symptoms of high cholesterol are not seen, but a simple blood test can reveal your cholesterol count.
A reliable blood test to evaluate the link between cholesterol and heart attacks is a test called a lipoprotein profile. You will need to fast for 9 to 12 hours to prepare for your lipoprotein blood test.
The test reveals your cholesterol numbers, which include your total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol and triglycerides (a form of fat found in your blood).
Cholesterol and Heart Attacks – Evaluating Your Cholesterol Numbers & Risks?
From your lipoprotein profile, your doctor will determine if your numbers are high, borderline, or desirable.
First you need to make sure your Total Cholesterol level is less than 200 mg/dL (less than 5.2 mmol/L).
Second you need to ensure your LDL (bad) Cholesterol Level is less than 130 mg/dL. (2.6 mmol/L)
Third, your HDL/Good Cholesterol level is 60 mg/dL (1.5 mmol/L) or above. Now this is the cholesterol that needs to by high since it acts as a protection against heart disease. A number below 40 mg/dL (1 mmol/L) puts you at higher risk of heart disease.
Forth, triglycerides (another type of fat like cholesterol) levels need to be at 150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L) or less. If higher you are at greater risk of heart disease.
Lower Your Risk of High Cholesterol and Heart Attacks?
Research reveals in general, if you have an elevated LDL level and the presence of other risk factors, you have an increased risk of developing heart disease and experiencing a heart attack. (1)
There are many things you can do to lower your cholesterol level and in turn lower your risk of heart disease.
• Watch your diet and consume fewer saturated fats.
• Watch your weight, by losing weight you can lower your LDL, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels as well as raise your HDL level.
• Exercise, regular physical activity can improve your cholesterol numbers.
• Take cholesterol lowering supplements which promote a healthy ratio of LDL to HDL cholesterol and help you maintain health cholesterol levels. I used a special supplement called Lipi-Rite it lowered my cholesterol by 58 points in total.
All the Best