| It can be almost impossible to tell if you have high | | | | can cause a heart attack. |
| cholesterol levels. Even if you live a fairly healthy | | | | Increased levels of HDL on the other hand, will help |
| lifestyle, you may be in a high risk candidate for this | | | | keep your arteries clear and lower the chances of |
| potentially deadly problem. | | | | clots forming which is obviously good for the heart. |
| There are certain indicators however that should be | | | | The Solution |
| taken into account to help you decide if you need to | | | | What you need to do is reduce the levels of LDL and |
| get your cholesterol levels checked out. | | | | increase the levels of HDL. Obvious right? You can |
| Although no obvious symptoms are displayed, the type | | | | achieve this by taking regular exercise and reducing |
| of lifestyle you lead will provide pointers towards you | | | | the amount of saturated and trans fats in your diet |
| possibly having high cholesterol. | | | | and replacing them with heart loving monounsaturated |
| How physically active are you? If you do little to no | | | | fats and polyunsaturated fats. |
| exercise, you should be concerned. The flow of blood | | | | Try to incorporate cardio training into your exercise like |
| will not be as efficient in removing damaging waste | | | | swimming, rowing and biking. These types of exercises |
| products from your blood vessels due to your level of | | | | are low impact and will get the heart pumping fresh, |
| inactivity. | | | | oxygenated blood around your body. |
| Smoking, a diet lacking in vital nutrients and vitamins | | | | Fast Remedies |
| and being overweight should also be a red flag | | | | Naturally you should be aiming to eat a healthy |
| warning to you. | | | | balanced diet, incorporating at least 5 - 8 portions of |
| Unfortunately you are automatically at risk if you have | | | | fruit and veg a day. Vitamins A and D are your friends |
| a family history of high cholesterol problems. Find out if | | | | and will protect your blood vessels from damage. Find |
| this is the case and make an appointment with your | | | | them in eggs, fish (especially salmon), dark green and |
| doctor if need be for a cholesterol level check. | | | | yellow veg. |
| The same applies if any of the other signs relate to | | | | Try to steer clear and avoid the following: |
| you. Your doctor or a pharmacist will carry out a | | | | Air pollution - It can be just as bad as smoking |
| simple blood test to check your levels. You'll have the | | | | Stress - It will increase your cholesterol levels. Exercise |
| results back in a day or 2, or even a couple of hours. | | | | will reduce stress - fact. |
| Good and Bad Cholesterol | | | | Sugar - The white death! It's simply fat in disguise and |
| There are 2 types of cholesterol - Low density | | | | turns into cholesterol. |
| lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL). In a | | | | Not eating any fat - This won't effect your cholesterol |
| nutshell, LDL is bad for you and HDL is good for you. | | | | levels. Instead eat healthy, unsaturated fats found in |
| If you have too much LDL in your blood system, it can | | | | olive oil, nuts and avocados. |
| narrow your arteries and form clots, which potentially | | | | |