Archive for June, 2009

Controlling cholesterol

Sunday, June 21st, 2009

Controlling cholesterol levels to the normal rate will be very useful to reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease. Cholesterol reduction targets are as follows:

1. Total blood cholesterol level below 200 mg / dl
2. LDL cholesterol level below 130 mg / dL (in individuals without a history of coronary heart disease), or below 100 mg / dl (if he has heart disease, smoking, hypertension, diabetes).
3. HDL cholesterol above 35 mg / dl
4. Triglyceride levels below 250 mg / dl.

Controlling blood cholesterol levels achieved with a targeted lifestyle changes and drug therapy. Lifestyle changes recommended include weight loss, eating lots of fiber, consumption of fruits and vegetables, stop smoking, exercise, and limiting consumption of excess fat.

If the target reduction in blood cholesterol has not been achieved, patients can consult a doctor to obtain obat.Terapi drug therapy recommended for lowering cholesterol are statins daah. This drug has many groups (eg, pravastatin, simvastatin, lovastatin, Atorvastatin, Cerevastatin, fluvastatin), and most have been available in Indonesia.

The success of statin therapy to reduce the risk of stroke has been demonstrated from various studies. Decrease in blood cholesterol levels according to the target (below 200 mg / dL) would reduce the risk of stroke ebesar 27%. For patients who have experienced heart disease, the decrease in blood cholesterol levels will reduce the risk of stroke by 32%.

Many of us who do not know their blood cholesterol levels. Levels of high blood cholesterol are often asymptomatic. The question is ‘Did you know that your blood cholesterol level?’. Controlling cholesterol levels is an effort of effective stroke prevention. Always remember that

The relationship of cholesterol and stroke

Friday, June 19th, 2009

Cholesterol is a stroke risk factor consistently reported from various research results. High LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol ratio and high HDL associated with an increased risk of stroke. This will be strengthened if there is a risk factor of stroke (eg: hypertension, smoking, obesity).

The relationship between cholesterol and stroke is also portrayed in a variety of studies of cholesterol therapy. The success of therapy decreased blood cholesterol levels will reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease by 60%. Cholesterol decrease blood levels will hamper the process of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries wall).

The development of atherosclerosis can be inhibited in most patients who undergo therapy for 2 years. Blood cholesterol levels are not controlled will increase the risk of stroke. 40-year-old patient’s who have high LDL cholesterol level will have a risk of 52% for heart attack and stroke at the age above 50 years (Lang, 2005).

Levels of high blood cholesterol does not provide specific indication. This causes the levels of high blood cholesterol also known as ‘the silent killer’. Treatment when patients come have emerged vascular complications. The process of atherosclerosis still running without any

Know cholesterol

Monday, June 15th, 2009

Cholesterol is a fatty substance, which is normally formed in the body. Cholesterol is formed in the liver from fatty foods. Cholesterol plays many important roles in the functioning of body cells (such as hormone production).

Blood cholesterol can be divided into 2 main sections: LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) is known as ‘bad cholesterol’ and HDL cholesterol (High Density Lipoprotein) is known as ‘good cholesterol’. LDL carry cholesterol from the liver to the cells, and HDL cholesterol from play brought to the liver cells.

LDL cholesterol is high, it will trigger the accumulation of cholesterol in the cell, which causes the emergence of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arterial wall) and the accumulation of plaque on artery walls. This penngkatan risks associated with diseases of blood vessels (eg coronary heart disease, stroke, blood vessel disorders integral).

Levels of high blood cholesterol can be caused by various factors. The factors that cause high cholesterol is genetic, high-fat diet, being overweight, physical inactivity, and smoking. Smoking increases LDL cholesterol and lower HDL cholesterol levels. LDL cholesterol may also high due to the consumption of alcohol or drugs (eg steroids or the contraceptive pill).