Heart Disease and Cholesterol 

This article looks at the often confusing link between heart disease and cholesterol. It discusses some research and risk factors that relate to both health problems.

There are many of us who are familiar with cholesterol and heart disease. However, there is currently a debate whether cholesterol is the primary cause of heart disease. Some physicians believe that cholesterol is the main cause of heart disease while others disagree. Experts from several heart studies have determined that high blood cholesterol is the primary factor for coronary heart disease or CHD.

Studies show that if you do have a higher cholesterol level, you increase your risk of getting CHD. People who have low levels of cholesterol are not likely to get CHD.

Other experts believe there appears to be a connection between high blood cholesterol and heart disease. Studies show that if you do lower the bad cholesterol, you will drastically reduce your chances of getting coronary heart disease.

Recently, a set of trials were done on this issue, using drugs that lowered the total cholesterol. The use of these drugs which were statins greatly reduced the chance of having a heart attack, bypass surgery, and dying from coronary heart disease-related causes.

There are risk factors that may increase your risk of developing heart disease. There are some risk factors that can be changed, there are some that cannot. Overall, the more risk factors that you have the more likely you will be experience heart disease. Take the time to review these as there some risk factors that can be changed.

Age - The older you get, for males it is 45 years or older. For females, it is 55 years of age or older, you increase your chances of getting coronary heart disease. 

Genetics -  If you have a family history of a parent or relative who died of heart disease.

There are some risk factors that you can change:

• High levels of bad cholesterol.
• Low levels of good cholesterol.
• History of smoking
• High Blood Pressure or genetic predisposition to high blood pressure because of family history
• History of Diabetes or if it runs in your family.
• Not exercising and living a sedentary lifestyle.
• If you are obese or overweight

You may want to consult a physician if you are unsure as to whether you have high blood cholesterol.

Most experts agree that high cholesterol and heart disease are connected. However, there are some experts who disagree that too much animal fat and heart disease go together.

However, there are some experts who believe that stress, physical activity and weight might influence the level of blood cholesterol. Some experts believe that it is not necessarily dangerous but it reflects an unhealthy lifestyle.

Experts go back and forth about these issues. However, if you lead a healthy lifestyle you should not have many problems.