Hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia, LDLs, and HDLs: what exactly do they mean, and are they putting you in danger of a heart attack?
While the terminology might be confusing, it’s worthwhile to be aware of the fundamentals of cholesterol and its effect on our heart health – and more importantly, what proactive measures you can take to make sure your cholesterol levels are in a healthy range before a heart emergency develops.
Grace Home Care, providers of the very best elder care Topeka offers, gives the following simple explanations to help you better understand the ins and outs of cholesterol:
LDL: LDL, or bad cholesterol, results in the build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries, boosting your chance of a blockage.
HDL: HDL is the term for the good cholesterol that is required to be retained in ample quantities to clear away LDL cholesterol and protect the arteries.
Hyperlipidemia: Hyperlipidemia is a state in which amounts of lipids (fats) in the blood are elevated.
Hypercholesterolemia: Hypercholesterolemia is a particular kind of hyperlipidemia, signifying high levels of LDL in the blood.
A simple blood test to check cholesterol levels is a good idea for all adults age 20 and above, and if high cholesterol is determined, making the lifestyle changes below will likely be advised by the physician to protect your heart:
- Quit (or never begin) smoking. And to go a step further, avoid others who are smoking as well to protect against the negative effects of secondhand smoke. Not only does tobacco smoke reduce HDL levels, but it drastically increases the chance of coronary heart disease.
- Maintain a healthy BMI. LDL levels are higher in people who are overweight or obese. A weight loss of even ten pounds can go a long way towards lessening bad cholesterol.
- Get moving. A moderate intensity of physical activity (including dancing, riding a bike, swimming, and walking briskly) for at least 150 minutes every week is recommended to ensure sufficient levels of HDL in the blood.
- Plan meals for your heart. The American Heart Association advises a diet high in whole grains, fruits and vegetables, fish, poultry, and nuts, and low in whole milk dairy products, saturated fat, and red meat.
Making lifestyle changes and creating healthier habits is much less difficult with encouragement and support. The professional home care team at Grace Home Care is always readily available to work together with older individuals to improve heart health in a myriad of ways:
- Planning and preparing heart-healthy meals for seniors
- Helping seniors to become engaged in doctor-approved exercise routines
- Offering safe, dependable transportation for seniors to outings to boost activity levels
- Shopping for groceries for seniors to ensure the refrigerator and cupboards are stocked with healthy foods
- Serving as a friendly companion to inspire seniors to live their best possible lives
- And more
Contact us any time at 785-286-2273 for more helpful tips to improve heart health, and to request a free in-home meeting to take the first step in making life healthier for your senior loved ones. We’re honored to provide the highest quality elder care in Topeka and surrounding areas.