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Diseases Name : High LDL Cholesterol Level

Description

Low density lipoprotein cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is called 'bad' cholesterol, because elevated LDL cholesterol is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease, also known as Hypercholesterolaemia.

Persons most commonly affected: Adults of both sexes.
Organ or part of body involved: Blood and arteries.
Symptoms and indications: People whose cholesterol level is from 200 to 239 mg/dL are borderline high risk and if the level is higher than 240 your risk of heart attack and stroke is greater. In general, people who have a total cholesterol level of 240 mg/dL have twice the risk of coronary heart disease as people whose cholesterol level is 200 mg/dL.
Causes and risk factors: Poor diet, especially one high in cholesterol, saturated fats, and refined carbohydrates are some of the causes. Inactivity, hereditary tendency to high cholesterol, diabetes, hypothyroidism and stress are some athor causes of High Cholesterol.
Prevention: Low HDL cholesterol puts you at high risk for heart disease. Smoking, being overweight and being sedentary can all result in lower HDL cholesterol. If you have low HDL cholesterol, you can help raise it by: Not smoking; Losing weight (or maintaining a healthy weight); Being physically active for at least 30-60 minutes a day on most or all days of the week ; and Eating a low fat and high fiber diet. This means increasing the amount of vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and whole grains in the diet.Olive oil increases levels of HDL. Garlic and onions also help lower LDL cholesterol while raising HDL. Fried foods, sweet baked goods, and most crackers are all dangerously full of bad fats. Even margarine and vegetables shortening - items that cholesterol patients often use as substitues for butter - are high in partially hydrogenated fats, which are even deadlier than the saturated kind. Sugar and alcohol stimulate the liver to produce more cholesterol. Avoid alcoholic beverages and all sources of refined sugar, including sodas, candy, and low-fat baked goods. An excess consumptions of caffeine has also been linked to high cholesterol.