Ms. Ho, a middle-aged woman, recently learned during a medical check-up that her cholesterol levels were exceeded. The news made her anxious because she knew that high cholesterol was a potential risk for cardiovascular diseases such as high blood lipids.
The doctor prescribed her a prescription and advised her to take cholesterol-lowering drugs for a long time to maintain healthy blood lipid levels. However, Ms. Ho has some concerns about medication.
She had heard some rumors about the side effects of the medication and was worried that long-term medication could be taxing her liver and kidneys, and could even trigger some unpredictable side effects.
Moreover, she felt that her cholesterol level was only slightly above the normal range, and it didn't seem to be to the point where she had to take medicine. So, she asked her doctor if there were other ways to help lower her cholesterol.
The doctor smiled and told her that there are many simple and easy ways in life that can help adjust blood lipid levels in addition to medication. The doctor also stressed that these lifestyle changes did not happen overnight and required long-term persistence.
As long as she can consistently implement these recommendations, she believes that her cholesterol levels will be effectively controlled. Ms. He expressed her willingness to try it and asked the doctor for specific methods.
01
There are actually "good" and "bad" cholesterol
People often have a misconception about cholesterol as being harmful. In fact, there are two types of cholesterol: good cholesterol and bad cholesterol.
Good cholesterol, or HDL cholesterol, has many advantages such as high protein, high density, low fat, and small particles, which make it effective in removing free cholesterol from the walls of blood vessels. Because of this, good cholesterol plays an important role in dredging and protecting blood vessels, escorting the health of the body.
However, the opposite bad cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, is quite different. It is characterized by less protein, more fat, less density, and large particles.
When the level of bad cholesterol rises to a certain level, it gradually deposits on the walls of blood vessels, forming plaques. These plaques can grow in size, narrowing the blood vessels and possibly rupturing.
In this case, narrowing of blood vessels may lead to insufficient blood supply to vital organs such as the heart or brain, which can lead to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction or cerebral infarction, and may even be life-threatening in severe cases.
Therefore, we cannot generalize that all cholesterol is bad. Understanding the "good" and "bad" levels of cholesterol is essential for us to prevent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and maintain good health.
02
What are the dangers of high cholesterol?
The accumulation of cholesterol in the body, especially the rise of bad cholesterol, can pose a threat to our health at any time. When bad cholesterol levels climb, it quietly deposits on the walls of blood vessels, forming rust-like plaques of lipids.
Over time, these plaques accumulate and enlarge, compressing the passage of blood vessels, causing them to narrow. When this stenosis reaches a certain level, it will greatly increase the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease and stroke.
These lipid plaques can rupture and fall off at any time. Once they fall off, they will travel around with the blood, and may form a blockage at a narrowed blood vessel at any time, causing acute myocardial infarction, cerebral infarction and other serious diseases, posing a serious threat to life safety.
However, we can't just say no to cholesterol. After all, cholesterol is also one of the substances necessary for the normal physiological functions of the human body.
According to the "Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents", 280~350 grams of eggs should be consumed per week (about one egg a day) to meet the body's basic needs for cholesterol.
03
What should I do if I don't want to take medicine if I have high cholesterol on physical examination? Doctor: Do 4 points to reduce blood lipids safely
First, adjust your diet
A reasonable diet is the cornerstone of lowering cholesterol. It is recommended to increase dietary fiber intake, such as eating more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, which help reduce cholesterol absorption.
At the same time, reduce the intake of saturated fats and trans fats, and try to avoid high-fat, high-calorie foods, such as fried foods, desserts, etc.
Second, increase the amount of exercise
Moderate exercise can help boost metabolism and promote fat burning, which can reduce blood lipid levels. It is recommended to do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week, such as brisk walking, swimming, cycling, etc. Exercise not only helps lower cholesterol, but also improves cardiopulmonary function and strengthens physical fitness.
Third, quit smoking and limit alcohol
Both smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can impair cardiovascular health, leading to elevated cholesterol levels. Therefore, in order to lower cholesterol, we should resolutely quit smoking and limit alcohol intake.
Finally, keep a good mindset
Long-term exposure to high pressure, anxiety and other adverse emotional states can easily lead to endocrine disorders, which can affect blood lipid levels. Therefore, we should learn to adjust our mindset and maintain a positive and optimistic attitude towards life.
After insisting on the above points, if the cholesterol has dropped to the normal range, there is no need to take lipid-lowering drugs, if the cholesterol is still high, it means that the improvement of life has no effect, and it is necessary to take lipid-lowering drugs at this time.