Monday, September 7, 2009

What Cholesterol Really Is

By Kim Bailey

Today's health gurus spend plenty of time talking about cholesterol. You might be surprised to find out that this substance is actually necessary for the body. It is used to build cell walls that help the body produce necessary substances like hormones and bile. However, the body doesn't need much cholesterol to function properly. When it begins to build up, it can have a detrimental effect on the cardiovascular system specifically and the rest of the body overall.

Too Much of a Good Thing

High cholesterol becomes a problem when our bodies are unable to get rid of the excess cholesterol from our body. These excesses of cholesterol stays in our bloodstream and begin to form plaque in our arteries, clogging it and hindering blood flow.

When blood cannot flow as easily, the heart must work that much harder to keep the blood moving through the body. This puts a strain on the heart, and places the person at much higher risk for cardiovascular disease and a heart attack.

This is the reason why keeping an eye on cholesterol levels is so important. If you find you are diagnosed with high cholesterol, you and your doctor can work together to lower it to a healthy level, by using a combination of diet, exercise and medication. The heart will then return to normal function. It is important to check your cholesterol levels on a regular basis in order to act on a high cholesterol diagnosis as soon as possible.

Cholesterol Types

There is more than one type of cholesterol found in the body. The first is low density lipoproteins, or LDL. LDL delivers cholesterol to the body, so the lower the number of LDL, the better for the patient. High density lipoproteins, or HDL, help remove cholesterol from the bloodstream.

HDL in higher levels can therefore mean a healthier cardiovascular system. The numbers for both LDL and HDL are factored together to help experts determine what a healthy cholesterol reading overall is for the cardiovascular system.

Understanding what cholesterol is and how it can both benefit and negatively influence the cardiovascular system is an important step towards heart health. Regular monitoring of your cholesterol levels is an important step towards making the necessary changes for a healthier heart.

If you are unsure of where your levels are at, talk to your doctor about a cholesterol screening. This simple blood test can provide plenty of valuable information about how to keep your body in the healthiest condition possible.

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