Cholesterol : what is it, harmful or useful?

LDL cholesterol is a low-density lipoprotein. This is a harmful and dangerous type of cholesterol, which contributes to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques and provokes blockage of blood vessels, leads to heart attacks and strokes. Therefore, it is necessary to know how to determine the level of a harmful substance and reduce it.

How to determine the content of bad cholesterol?

The norm of LDL cholesterol content depends on the age of the person. For people under the age of 30, this indicator should not exceed 2.59 mmol per liter of blood. For an elderly person, the permissible level increases slightly, since liver function is impaired with age, and the indicator increases naturally.

Attention! The critical indicator at which the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases increases is 4.49 mmol per liter.

The cholesterol index should not be too low. A reduced content of low-density lipoproteins indicates the appearance of pathological processes in the body. The lower limit of the norm is 1.2 mmol/l.

If the LDL level is elevated

Attention! With an increased content of a harmful compound, it is necessary to eliminate the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and reduce the harmful indicator.

Causes of high cholesterol levels with low density:

1. Improper nutrition with frequent consumption of large amounts of fatty foods. Various semi-finished products, mayonnaise, chips also provoke an increase in cholesterol levels.
2. Sedentary lifestyle. It is the lack of physical activity that provokes a decrease in the production of useful high-density proteids. This leads to disruption of almost all body systems.
3. Excess weight. Obesity contributes to the accumulation of bad cholesterol. The highest risk factor is considered to be deposits in the abdominal part of the body.
4. Some medications may affect the level of harmful lipids as a side effect.
5. Heredity.

There are some diseases that can disrupt the balance of beneficial and harmful lipids in the body.

The danger of high LDL levels

With an increased content of harmful cholesterol, you should not give up. If you do not fight the problem, then serious complications may arise as a result:

1. Diseases of the blood vessels of the heart and brain.
2. Coronary heart disease. Most often occurs in women.
3. Lowering the blood supply to the brain. This is due to the narrowing of blood vessels.
4. Heart attack and stroke.

Attention! The most dangerous process is when the cholesterol plaque completely breaks off and clogs the vessel. This leads to a fatal outcome.