Cholesterol and Heart Disease

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance your liver produces. It’s important for making hormones and cell membranes. But too much can cause problems like heart disease and stroke.

Some people have genes that make them more likely to have high cholesterol levels. Other causes are lifestyle habits like a poor diet and being overweight.

Risk Factors

If your body has too much cholesterol, it can build up in the blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood to the heart and brain. These deposits are called plaque and they can narrow the arteries, making it hard for blood to flow through them. Larger deposits can break apart and cause blood clots that block the flow of blood, which may lead to a heart attack or stroke.

The risk of high cholesterol can cause by a person’s genes, diet and lifestyle choices. Certain conditions, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and diabetes, increase your risk of heart disease by raising levels of “bad” cholesterol and triglycerides.

Other factors that can cause high cholesterol include being a smoker, being overweight, having diabetes, and having a family history of cardiovascular disease (CVD). People who are at a higher risk for CVD should talk to their doctor about getting regular cholesterol screenings.

Cholesterol screenings are typically perform by drawing a sample of your blood, before and after fasting for 12 hours. You will also need to provide your family medical history and list any medications you take or have ever taken in the past. A routine cholesterol screening should be done at least every five years. Although if you have additional risk factors, your doctor may recommend that you get it more often.

Cholesterol and Erection Issues

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that resides in the cells of the human body along with protein. This lipid is carried through the bloodstream, where it can cause serious health issues such as heart disease and atherosclerosis. The fatty deposits found in the arteries are called plaques, which can obstruct the walls within the arteries and make it difficult to get blood flowing normally. Besides being a risk factor for heart disease, high cholesterol is linked to erectile dysfunction (ED), which involves the inability to achieve or maintain a firm penis erection during sexual activity. Try Cenforce 150 or  Cenforce 200 mg to solve erection issues.

During sexual stimulation, a man’s body releases chemicals that allow the penile arteries (corpora cavernosa) to relax and fill with blood, resulting in an erection. The relaxation of the arteries occurs due to the nitric oxide produced in the body during sexual stimulation, which is reduced by high cholesterol levels.

A high level of LDL cholesterol can prevent the nitric oxide from releasing, which is needed to trigger an erection and allow the arteries to engorge with blood. The condition also makes it more difficult to get an erection and maintain it because the arteries can’t properly enlarge to support the erection.

A slew of lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise, can reduce cholesterol levels and improve ED symptoms. This holistic approach to addressing both conditions can help a man restore healthy cholesterol levels and enhance his sexual performance. Considering the close connection between these two conditions, a person should monitor his cholesterol and ED symptoms closely to ensure that the health risks associated with both issues are under control.

Lifestyle Changes

If your cholesterol levels are higher than they should be, a few lifestyle changes can help to reduce them. These changes include eating a heart-healthy diet, increasing physical activity, weight loss, losing tobacco and cutting back on alcohol. It’s also important to talk to your doctor about your lifestyle and whether or not medication is need

Cholesterol is a waxy substance present in your blood that is use to build healthy cells. However, if there is too much of it, it can build up in your arteries and lead to heart disease. High cholesterol can also raise your risk of metabolic syndrome and diabetes.

Eating a heart-healthy diet that is low in saturated fat and trans fat can help to lower your cholesterol. This means choosing foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, legumes, fish and nontropical vegetable oils, while limiting red meat, dairy products made with full-fat milk, processed meat, sugary drinks and salt.

In addition to reducing unhealthy fats, adding healthy unsaturated fats like avocado, nut butters and tahini can help to lower your cholesterol levels. It’s also a good idea to consume more fish two to three times per week (150 grams of fresh or tinned fish) and use cooking oils such as canola, sunflower, olive (extra virgin is best) and sesame oil.

Medication

There are different medications that can help lower cholesterol levels. Your doctor can recommend a medicine that is right for you. They may also suggest lifestyle changes to help reduce your risk of high cholesterol. For example, they can advise you to eat fish and other foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. This can help to lower your LDL (bad) cholesterol. They may also advise you to stop smoking.

The most commonly prescribe medication for lowering cholesterol is called a statin. This works by stopping your liver from producing cholesterol. It is available in tablet form, and it can take once a day. This can give alone or with other medicines, such as ezetimibe (Zetia). It can also be found in combination pills with other medicines to treat other conditions, such as high blood pressure.

A newer type of medication that lowers cholesterol is called a PCSK9 inhibitor. It works by blocking a protein in the liver that helps make cholesterol. This is use as a primary treatment for adults with HeFH and in combination with diet and exercise in other adults. It is given by injection.

Some people can lower their cholesterol naturally without taking any medicine, especially if they are slim, physically active, and do not smoke. However, if these lifestyle changes are not enough to improve your levels, your doctor can prescribe medicines.

Surgery

The body uses lipids to function, but too many lipids in the blood can cause problems. These extra lipids can combine with other substances to form plaque in the arteries that carry blood from the heart. Over time, the plaque can narrow the artery and block its flow of blood. The resulting blood clot may cause a stroke or heart attack. A doctor can treat high cholesterol by reducing your fat intake, increasing the amount of exercise you get and treating any underlying conditions that might be causing it.

Surgery can also help lower your cholesterol. Several different surgical procedures are available. The best option for you will depend on your condition and what you’re aiming to achieve with the operation. Before you go under the knife, you’ll meet with your surgeon and discuss what you want to accomplish. The doctor will tell you more about the procedure and its risks.

Before you undergo surgery, make sure your surgeon is board certified by your insurance company. Also, find out how long you will need to recover from the surgery and ask your employer about medical leave or starting back part-time. The more you can do to prepare yourself physically for the surgery, the easier it will be and the sooner you’ll be able to return to routine activities.