High Cholesterol and Heart Disease

High Cholesterol and Heart Disease 
FACTS:  

High blood cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for heart disease. A risk factor is a condition that increases your chance of getting a disease. In fact, the higher your total  blood cholesterol level, the greater your risk for developing heart disease or having a heart attack.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

HOPE:  

HDL cholesterol is protective to the arteries, helping remove excess cholesterol from the artery walls, thus keeping the arteries open and unclogged. Some studies show that HDL levels are an even better predictor of overall risk of heart disease than total cholesterol levels. Men should aim for HDL levels at 45 or higher; Women should aim for HDL levels at 55 or higher. An ideal level is 60 mg/dl or more. HDL levels less than 40 are considered high risk.

NHLBI Clinical Guidelines on Cholesterol Management report that to make improvements in your HDL cholesterol level and significantly reduce your risk of heart disease, follow these recommendations:
1) Set a goal of reaching 12-20 aerobic miles per week – this level of activity seems to be needed to achieve improvements in HDL levels.
2) Achieve and maintain a healthy body weight – eating lots of refined carbohydrates can depress HDL levels;
3) Avoid smoking
4) Choose to eat “healthy fats” – Fats from plant sources, including nuts and seeeds


WHOLENESS:

“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”                                                                                            Psalm 90:12