Cholesterol is a substance in the human body that looks like fat. Cholesterol in human body is mostly produced in the liver, although some cholesterol may come from the food eaten by the human (American Heart Association, 2012). The human body requires certain percentage of cholesterol for building and maintenance of cell membranes, as well as production of certain hormones which are very useful in insulation of human nerves. Cholesterol is, as well, very significant in production of bile juice, stored in gall bladder, which is important in digestion fats. However, excess cholesterol in the body is very dangerous to human health. Cholesterol can lead to gallstones if its concentration is too high in the body. In addition, too much cholesterol in the body results to formation of fat lining in the walls of the artery vessels, which may result to atherosclerosis, a disorder that stops or slows the flow of blood in artery vessels (American Heart Association, 2012). To make the matter worse, excessive cholesterol in the body in most cases results to frequent heart attacks that may lead to death.
Calculate the cost of essay
There are two common known forms of cholesterol: the low density lipoprotein (LDL), which is also termed as bad cholesterol, and the high density lipoprotein (HDL), which is also known as the good cholesterol (Briel, 2009). These names depict the nature of cholesterols. The low density lipoprotein is the cholesterol responsible for the plague of artery –clogging. However, the high density lipoprotein assists in clearing cholesterol in the blood. Other forms of fats found in the blood are triglycerides. Just as the cholesterol, high levels of triglycerides in blood can, as well, cause heart diseases (MacDonald, 2012).
High level of cholesterol in the human body is highly associated with various heart diseases such as atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and stocks. Though cholesterol is very useful in human body, only certain percentage that is comfortable for the body to function normally should be maintained. However, if this percentage is exceeded, the body receives more cholesterol than it can sufficiently utilize and, therefore, the normal blood circulation system might be tempered and, hence, increase the risks of heart diseases (MacDonald, 2012). In most instances, high level of cholesterol can cause heart diseases and disorders. Moreover, various researchers have highlighted other diseases caused by high level of cholesterol, such as gallstones and metabolic disorders.
When the body contains higher level of cholesterol than what can be utilized in its normal functions, the excess cholesterol slowly begins to build up on the walls of the arteries, making the arteries become narrow and, hence, temper with the smooth flow of blood. The blood carrying oxygen is, therefore, restrained from reaching the heart, hence, resulting to chest pain (Kashani, 2008). Moreover, if the situation continues, there are high risks that the person may suffer from high blood pressure since the blood pumped by the heart is blocked from circulating. If the cholesterol accumulation continues building up in the arteries, it can cause an artery-clogging plague which may result to heart attacks.
Cholesterol has no symptoms and, therefore, many people cannot know when they have high level of cholesterol in their bodies. It is important, therefore, to conduct cholesterol screening to determine the level of cholesterol in human body before rising of the heart diseases in order to minimize the chances of dying of heart diseases or suffering from heart attacks. Cholesterol and triglycerides screening measure the quantity of substances of fat in the blood stream. Therefore, various screenings are conducted to determine the amount of each substance in the blood. Cholesterol screening, thus, incorporates: the HDL cholesterol screening, which is aimed at determination of the amount of high density lipoprotein substances in the blood. HDL assists to remove fat substances from the blood and transport them to the liver for disposal. In fact, HDL cholesterol helps to minimize the chances of heart diseases. On the other hand, LDL cholesterol screening is conducted to determine the quantity of low density lipoprotein in the blood. Screening of LDL substance is very vital since it is used to determine the chances of the individual to suffer from heart diseases (Ara, 2008). Triglyceride test, just as LDL test, is used to determine the possibility of suffering from heart diseases. High level of both the LDL cholesterol and the triglycerides increases the chances of suffering from heart diseases such as heart attack and stock.
There are various factors that can influence the level of risk of suffering from heart diseases. According to a study conducted by American Heart Association, young people under the age of 20 years, as well as the old generation, are prone to high level of cholesterol and, therefore, are recommended to undertake cholesterol screening every five years. On the other hand, an individual suffering from either type of diabetes also has high chances of suffering from heart diseases (American Heart Association, 2012). However, there are other factors which increase individuals’ risks of heart diseases, but the individual is unable to change the situation. These factors include age, race, gender and history. Researches show that men have greater chances of suffering from heart diseases as compared to women (Danielson, 2008). Some unhealthy practices, such as smoking, increase the individual’s risk of suffering from the heart diseases. A family with a diabetic history is more prone to suffer from heart diseases if the level of sugar is not well monitored and controlled by each family member.
There are several factors that can determine the level of cholesterol in the human body. Some foods that a person takes can increase the level of cholesterol and fat substance in his or her body. Foods such as eggs have high content of cholesterol and, therefore, if consumed in large quantities, will increase the level of cholesterol. Besides, one more risk factor for heart diseases is overweight. Gaining of weight implies an increase in the level of low density lipoprotein cholesterol, whilst weight loss depicts an increase in high density lipoprotein, as well as lowers the LDL cholesterol substances. Body exercises are very helpful in moderating the level of cholesterol in the body. Body exercises reduce the chances of suffering from heart diseases through lowering the level of low density lipoprotein and increasing the concentration of high density lipoprotein. Health specialists recommend to do active physical exercises for minimum half an hour each day. The age of a person is another factor that affects the level of cholesterol in the body (Hooper, 2011). The level of cholesterol increases as a person grows older. The gender of the person as well affects the concentration of cholesterol in the body. Before menopause period, men have higher level of cholesterol as compared to women. However, after menopause, the concentration of low density lipoprotein cholesterol substances rises to a higher level in women, compared to that in men.
our Top 30 Writers
Benefit from the incredible opportunity at a very
reasonable price
Some disorders, such as diabetes, affect the concentration level of cholesterol in human body. Diabetes, if poorly controlled, can result to high levels of cholesterol in the body. However, with improved measures and ways of controlling diabetes, the level of cholesterol can be brought down. The genes that one inhered from parents can determine the rate of cholesterol production in the body and, hence, affect the levels of cholesterol in the body (Danielson, 2008). A person born in family with diabetes can receive the diabetic genes from the parents. The genes can rise or lower the rate of production of cholesterol in the body, which generally affects the entire level of cholesterol in the body. Medical conditions and the medications given to diabetic people to moderate sugar level in the blood can stimulate the production rate of cholesterol in the liver and, hence, affect the concentration level of the cholesterol.
A person with high level of cholesterol has rather high chances to develop heart diseases. According to the American Heart Association study, almost every person at age of 20 years and above should have a complete lipoprotein profile that incorporates the average total of cholesterol level, such as level of LDL cholesterol substances, level of HDL cholesterol, and the triglycerides concentrations, conducted at least once in every five years (American Heart Association, 2012). The interpretation of cholesterol levels is founded on the risk factors such as family history, age, blood pressure and smoking. Though it is very significant for everybody to test for level of cholesterol, it is especially significant to the people engaged in specific unhealthy practices such as smoking. A diet that includes high content of cholesterol and fats can lead to high level of cholesterol and fats in the body. If unhealthy personal lifestyle increases the level of cholesterol in the body, it is recommended to change the lifestyle to reduce the chances of suffering from heart diseases (Hooper, 2011).
our Vip support
Benefit from the incredible opportunity at a very
reasonable price
The normal total level of cholesterol for a healthy person should be 200mg/dL, whilst the level of HDL should range from 40mg/dL and above. If the level of cholesterol substances is very high, it builds up in the artery walls and, with time, results to hardening of the arteries coronary and can cause heart attack. The number of people suffering from such disease is so high that health specialists refer to this disease as to plague. Narrowing of the coronary artery can end up to atherosclerosis. Sometimes, the plagues can break and discharge fat into the bloodstream, which can result in the blood. In fact, the clot can hinder the blood circulation, hence, resulting to a heart attack. Therefore, minimizing cholesterol level is very significant in eliminating of plague building.
Conscusion
The high level of cholesterol in the blood is a condition that raises the risks of suffering from heart diseases. This condition has got no symptoms and, therefore, it is quite difficult for people to know the level of cholesterol in the body. However, every person should practice ways of lowering cholesterol level, such as physical activities every day. Anybody at any age can face with high cholesterol level and, as mentioned above, high level of cholesterol increases the risks of suffering from heart diseases. Therefore, screening for cholesterol should be among the overall medical care plan.
Having in mind that high level of cholesterol in body increases the chances of suffering from heart diseases, such as stock, blood pressure, heart attack and atherosclerosis, it is vital to keep cholesterol amount at the required level when the body can effectively utilize it. However, cholesterol has no symptoms to depict its level in human body (Abbate, 2008). Therefore, before one suffers from any disease or disorder associated with high level of cholesterol, body exercise and regulation of diets can be of great assistance in lowering the cholesterol level in the body (Hooper, 2011). All the same, cholesterol level should be regularly screened and evaluated by a healthy specialist in order to develop a treatment plan. The core target of the treatment is to reduce low density lipoprotein levels of cholesterol so as to minimize the risk of suffering from diseases of the heart. Cholesterol treatment incorporates lifestyle changes, therapeutic or TLC that involves a diet with low cholesterol, active physical exercises and management of weight, as well as prescription of drugs by the physician.
What customers say about our service