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 LDL Levels
Introduction
LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) is often called 'bad cholesterol' because high levels can lead to plaque buildup in arteries and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Healthy LDL Levels
- Optimal: Less than 100 mg/dL
- Near Optimal: 100-129 mg/dL
- Borderline High: 130-159 mg/dL
- High: 160-189 mg/dL
- Very High: 190 mg/dL and above
Why High LDL is Dangerous
When LDL levels are high, excess cholesterol builds up in the arteries, leading to atherosclerosis (narrowing and hardening of arteries), increasing the risk of: - Heart attacks - Stroke - Peripheral artery disease
How to Maintain Healthy LDL Levels
Lifestyle Changes:
- Healthy Diet: Reduce saturated fats (found in red meat and full-fat dairy) and trans fats (found in processed foods).
- Increase Fiber: Eat more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
- Exercise Regularly: At least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week.
- Maintain a Healthy Weight: Obesity increases LDL levels.
- Quit Smoking: Smoking worsens cholesterol balance.
Medications:
- Statins: Lower LDL and reduce cardiovascular risk.
- Ezetimibe: Reduces cholesterol absorption in the intestine.
- PCSK9 Inhibitors: Help lower LDL in patients with very high cholesterol.
When to Get Tested?
- Adults over 20 should have their cholesterol levels checked at least every 4-6 years.
- Those with risk factors (family history, obesity, diabetes, smoking) should check more often.
Maintaining healthy LDL levels is essential for heart health. A balanced lifestyle and, if necessary, medical treatment can help keep it under control.
Source recommendations
1. American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association Guidelines on 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://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30423391/
- https://www.acc.org/Guidelines/Hubs/Blood-Cholesterol
- https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2022.07.006
2. European Society of Cardiology Guidelines on Dyslipidemias
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Dyslipidaemias-Management-of
- 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/CVD-and-Diabetes-Guidelines
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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.
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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.