About-Cardio
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We provide our users the most up-to-date and accurate information on the treatment and prevention of cardio pathologies in accordance with current American and European clinical guidelines.
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Understanding Healthy Cholesterol Levels
Introduction
Cholesterol is a fatty substance essential for the body's normal functions. However, an imbalance in cholesterol levels can pose serious health risks, particularly for the heart and blood vessels.
Types of Cholesterol
- LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) – Known as 'bad' cholesterol because high levels can lead to plaque buildup in arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
- HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) – Called 'good' cholesterol because it helps remove LDL from the bloodstream.
- Triglycerides – Another type of fat in the blood that can also contribute to heart disease if levels are too high.
Healthy Cholesterol Levels
- LDL: Ideally below 100 mg/dL, but under 70 mg/dL is best for high-risk individuals.
- HDL: Above 40 mg/dL for men and above 50 mg/dL for women.
- Triglycerides: Below 150 mg/dL.
- Total Cholesterol: Ideally below 200 mg/dL.
How to Maintain Healthy Cholesterol Levels
1. Diet
- Increase fiber intake (oats, beans, fruits, and vegetables).
- Eat healthy fats (olive oil, nuts, fatty fish).
- Reduce saturated and trans fats (processed foods, fried foods).
2. Exercise
- Engage in at least 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise (brisk walking, cycling, swimming).
3. Lifestyle Changes
- Stop smoking.
- Limit alcohol consumption.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
4. Medication
- In some cases, doctors prescribe statins or other medications to lower LDL cholesterol if lifestyle changes are not enough.
Conclusion
Keeping cholesterol levels within the recommended range is essential for heart health. Regular check-ups, a healthy diet, and an active lifestyle can help prevent cardiovascular diseases.
Source recommendations
1. American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) Guidelines on the Management of Blood Cholesterol
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/cir.0000000000000625
- https://www.acc.org/~/media/Non-Clinical/Files-PDFs-Excel-MS-Word-etc/Guidelines/2018/Guidelines-Made-Simple-Tool-2018-Cholesterol.pdf
- https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2022.07.006
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/cir.0000000000000678
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30423391/
2. European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) Guidelines on Dyslipidaemias
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/41/1/111/5556353
- https://www.escardio.org/static-file/Escardio/Guidelines/publications/DYSLIPguidelines-dyslipidemias-FT.pdf
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21712404/
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Dyslipidaemias-Management-of
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27594540/
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If you or your loved ones experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor in time. Remember that self-medication can be dangerous, and timely diagnosis will preserve the quality and life expectancy.
The heart is an organ that does not know how to "keep silent" if something goes wrong. Chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, dizziness, and rhythm disturbances are the symptoms that require our attention. The best prevention of heart disease is careful attention to your health, regular checkups with a doctor, and a healthy lifestyle. Take care of your heart, and it will serve you for many years!
Our advantages:
Best practices from USA, EU and Japan
Our answers to your questions are based on the clinical recommendations of countries with the most developed healthcare systems in the field of cardiology in the USA, the EU and Japan.
Always up-to-date information
On a daily basis, we monitor for you all new scientific research publications in leading scientific journals on medical issues of interest to you.
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
Get second opinion
Here you can learn everything that even your doctor may not know about cardiology (if he does not speak English and he does not read 117 leading medical journals on cardiology every month).
The most comprehensive and up-to-date collection of free cardiology materials
Our website contains the most comprehensive and up-to-date collection of free cardiology materials in your country.
Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.
Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.