Cholesterol

• How is cholesterol risk estimated? strong>

In previous studies, total cholesterol was measured to determine the risk because it was cheaper and easier. Now LDL-K and HDL-K values ​​can be easily checked. Every 10 mg/dl increase in LDL-Kvalues ​​increases the risk of heart attack by approximately 20%. On the other hand, with the increase in HDL-C values, the risk of heart attack decreases. HDL-K every 1 mg/dl increase increases cardiovascular health It reduces the risk of developing disease by 2-3%.

• Who should have cholesterol measured and how often?

Serum serum serum levels in people over 20 years of age. Cholesterol level should be measured and those found to be normal should be checked every 5 years. If possible, triglyceride and HDL-Cholesterol levels should also be measured. From these measurements, LDL-cholesterol (LDL-K = Total cholesterol) – It is calculated with the formula (HDL-K + Triglyceride / 5).

• What Complaints Cause High Cholesterol?

Cells in our body need cholesterol to perform their functions. However, if this cholesterol is excessive, it accumulates on the walls of the vessels and forms what we call 'atherosclerotic plaque'. These plaques grow over time and narrow the vascular space. This narrowing can sometimes be slow, and sometimes rapid if the plaque ruptures and comes into contact with blood. As a result of rapid or slow narrowing of the vascular space, not enough blood reaches the organs fed by these vascular structures, resulting in life-threatening situations such as heart attack or stroke. Therefore, people over the age of 20 should know their blood cholesterol levels and implement the lifestyle changes required. Especially people whose parents or siblings are known to have heart disease at an early age, and diabetics should have their blood cholesterol measured and take the necessary precautions.

• Why is High Cholesterol Important?

High blood cholesterol level increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. The higher a person's cholesterol level, the more likely they are to have heart disease. First place for men and women in Turkey The most common cause of death is cardiovascular disease.

• Do lifestyle changes reduce cholesterol levels?

Reducing fatty foods, reducing oils and fats. Positive changes we make in our lives, such as eating healthy foods, avoiding excessively high-calorie foods, exercising regularly, and reducing weight, especially increase HDL-C and reduce triglyceride values. If we pay attention to our diet and exercise regularly, we can reduce LDL-K values ​​by 10 - 15%.

Despite adequate diet and exercise, the targeted values ​​​​of blood fats are often not reached. In this case, drug treatment is required. Several types of drugs are used to lower cholesterol. Among these, drugs called statins are the most commonly used drugs and those that lower LDL-K the most today. These drugs work by reducing cholesterol production in the liver. The doses used provide a 25-50% decrease in LDL-C and a 5-10% increase in HDL-C. Other medications other than statins can also be used. In particular, drugs that reduce the passage of cholesterol from the intestines to the blood (ezetimibe) have become popular. Significant decreases in LDL-K� are observed when these drugs are used, especially with statins.

• How low should our cholesterol level be? Is there a normal or abnormal value for everyone?

There is no normal or abnormal value determined for all patients. The target LDL-K value is determined by looking at the patient's diseases other than cholesterol. In addition, there are some tests used to determine the patient's risk of having a heart attack in the coming years. There are tables. According to these tables, if the patient has a high risk of having a heart attack, the LDL-K values ​​​​of these patients should be kept lower. Only in those with high cholesterol, the target value is LDL-K to be below 160 mg/dl. Although it is considered sufficient for people with diseases such as diabetes (diabetes mellitus) or coronary heart disease to have an LDL-K value below 100 mg/dl, these values ​​are now being lowered even further. The LDL-K target value in patients with diabetes and coronary heart disease is even lower, and there are studies showing that it should be 70 mg/dl or even lower. It is recommended that you consult your doctor in detail about the desired LDL-Kvalues ​​and the risk of having a heart attack.

• What should be done in case of low HDL-K?

The first thing patients with low HDL-C should do is change their lifestyle. In addition to proper and sufficient nutrition, exercise and quitting smoking lead to positive changes in cholesterol values. Statins, which are frequently used drugs in the treatment of high cholesterol, provide only a 5-10% mg/dl increase in HDL-C values, while quitting smoking reduces HDL-C values ​​by 15-20%. increases by . Niacins are the drugs that increase HDL-K the most today and can increase HDL-K values ​​by 45%. However, this group of drugs is not available in Turkey.

• What is Triglyceride? What Should Be Normal Levels?

Triglyceride is the form of fat found in nature. Like cholesterol, it is both produced in the body and taken with food. Those with high measured levels in the blood Heart disease was found more frequently. Since the relationship between blood cholesterol level and heart disease is more evident, the second target is blood fat.

• Triglyceride Levels

Normal

• Less than 150 mg/dl

Borderline high

• 150- 199 mg/dl

High

• 200- 499 mg/dl

Very High

• 500 mg/dL and above

• Does Lowering Blood Cholesterol Level Reduce the Possibility of Cardiovascular Disease?

Reducing blood cholesterol levels through diet or medication reduces the likelihood of the disease in those without heart disease and increases life expectancy in those with heart disease. It has been conclusively shown that it extends The frequency of cardiovascular disease has also decreased in societies that have managed to change their diet and whose average cholesterol level has decreased.

• What are the other risk factors that lead to cardiovascular disease?

Age: Cardiovascular disease is more common in men over the age of 45 and in women over the age of 55.
Family history: Mother, father, like siblings Heart disease is more common in people with heart disease in their first-degree relatives.

• Smoking
• High blood pressure (Blood pressure over 140/90 mm Hg)
• Diabetes

Obesity: Being overweight compared to height and the accumulation of body fat in the abdominal area increases the risk of heart disease. The risk is higher if the waist circumference is more than 102 cm in men and 88 cm in women. If people with these risk factors have high cholesterol or triglycerides in the blood, the risk of heart disease increases exponentially.

• What are the types of fat in foods and how do they affect blood cholesterol levels?

There are three types of fats in food.

• Saturated fatty acids,
• Mono- and polyunsaturated
• Oils containing fatty acids.

In solid oils

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