High density lipoproteins are elevated causes. Analysis for increased low and high density cholesterol

We'll find out what the risks are associated with low HDL cholesterol. We explore the symptoms and causes of low cholesterol values ​​well, and we see how to return values ​​to the level of a physiological diet.

What is HDL cholesterol

A low HDL level is said to be when concentration appears in peripheral blood below 40 mg/dl for men and 50 mg/dl for women.

It would seem that low cholesterol levels can be interpreted as a sign of good health, however, in the case of HDL, the opposite is true.

Why low levels of good cholesterol are harmful

Of course, you know that high cholesterol levels are the enemy of cardiovascular health. But this axiom does not apply to all types of cholesterol. In fact, in the case of HDL, the higher its concentration, the lower the risk of developing atherosclerotic changes and, as a result, heart disease.

Cholesterol is an essential component of the proper functioning of the body (a component of cell membranes, a precursor to important hormones, such as steroid hormones). To move freely with the bloodstream, cholesterol is packaged in special proteins that increase its solubility.

Basic information about lipoproteins: Low density lipoproteins. They are also known as “bad” cholesterol and are produced in the liver. Under normal physiological conditions, this process is balanced. In the sense that each cell is able to maintain the level of cholesterol necessary for its functioning, and return the excess to the liver. If this natural balance is upset, there will be an increase in the level of LDL in the blood, which can be deposited on the walls of the arteries and lead to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. L high density hypoproteins. Also known as “good” cholesterol. They are involved in the reverse transport of excess cholesterol. That is, they obtain excess lipoproteins circulating there from the cells and transfer them to the liver. In addition, HDL perform other important functions: they protect the body from atherosclerotic deposits and from the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke.

High HDL values ​​not only prevent plaque deposition by preventing LDL oxidation, but also promote the removal of existing plaques by preventing the adhesion of monocytes to the vessel wall and, as a result, prevent possible obstruction of blood vessels.

Optimal levels HDL concentrations are:

• Men: 60 mg/dL or more
• Women: 60 mg/dL or more

What are the symptoms of decreased HDL?

A decrease in HDL values ​​occurs asymptomatic and few people notice this, only with routine periodic medical monitoring.

Symptoms occur when health has already been damaged and diseases are developing.

Reasons for lower cholesterol values

But what are the reasons that can lead to decrease in HDL values?

There are many of them, and they are not always associated with diseases:

• Pregnancy and menopause are the most common causes of physiological decreases in HDL cholesterol values. The reason should be sought in hormonal changes. Recent studies have shown a noticeable decrease in cholesterol is observed within two years after pregnancy.
• During menopause lower cholesterol is associated with the absence of estrogen, which regulates cholesterol synthesis.
• Birth control pills can reduce HDL cholesterol levels because they contain progestin, which leads to an increase in LDL cholesterol levels, thus increasing the value of total cholesterol.
• Poor nutrition: Rich in fatty foods and low in vegetables, fiber and monounsaturated fats, resulting in an increase in the proportion of LDL cholesterol and a decrease in the proportion of HDL cholesterol.
• Misbehavior: A sedentary lifestyle increases the level of “bad” cholesterol and reduces “good” cholesterol.
• Smoking: The mechanism that links smoking to HDL cholesterol is not entirely clear, but quitting smoking has been shown to markedly increase good cholesterol levels.
• Obesity: With obesity, an excess of triglycerides occurs, which leads to an increase in the concentration of very low-density lipoproteins and a number of changes in the cholesterol chain: high-density lipoproteins become smaller and lose their atherogenic functions.

Diseases that lead to a decrease in good cholesterol levels:

• celiac disease or food allergy lower cholesterol levels because the body does not absorb foods, and therefore does not receive HDL in the diet.
• hypothyroidism and liver disease such as hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver; Excess thyroid hormones lead to increased metabolism.
• Medicines, such as beta blockers, diuretics, interferon, or statins, used to lower cholesterol.

Risks of Low HDL Levels

Given the protective function of HDL cholesterol in the arteries, low levels of HDL cholesterol expose the body to high risk of cardiovascular diseases.

When HDL cholesterol levels fall far below optimal levels, the total cholesterol ratio is above 5, then damage to the arteries can lead to:

• Atherosclerosis: Fatty deposits in the arteries that cause decreased blood flow.
• Stroke: obstruction or rupture of an artery in the brain, which leads to the death of brain tissue.
• Heart attack: reduction or cessation of blood flow, which leads to the death of the heart muscle.
• Cardiac ischemia: complete or partial stoppage of blood flow to the heart.

What to do to increase HDL levels

Quit smoking. Elimination of smoking entails an increase in HDL levels by approximately 10%. Especially if you add physical activity (at least 5 days a week for 30 minutes): swimming, cycling, running, brisk walking, gardening - anything that increases your heart rate.

Lose extra pounds. Losing 3 kg of weight increases HDL levels by 1 mg/dL of blood.

Follow the rules of healthy eating. The basis of such a diet should be the consumption of healthy fats. Specifically, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated, in the latter case omega 3, found in hard-shelled fruits and fatty fish.

Drinking one or two glasses of red wine per day. Not everyone agrees with this recommendation, but wine certainly helps maintain high HDL levels. It is possible that this is the reason that explains the French paradox. The French, being active consumers of saturated fats (butter, fatty meats), have a low prevalence of cardiovascular diseases.

Taking drugs that increase HDL the most common is niacin. There are also supplements based on this ingredient. It should not be used without consulting a doctor because side effects on liver function may occur.

Diet to increase cholesterol values

To reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, you need to eat foods that help increase HDL cholesterol and reduce LDL cholesterol.

In particular:

• Fish omega-3 (fats) rich foods such as salmon or swordfish.
• Cereals, especially whole grains such as bread and pasta.
• Low-fat boiled sausage or low-fat ham.
• Low-fat cheese, such as mozzarella, ricotta, goat cheese.
• Milk and yogurt.
• Lean meat, such as turkey, chicken and rabbit.
• Dried fruits nuts such as hazelnuts, walnuts and almonds because they contain omega-3.
• Antioxidant Rich Foods, such as vitamin C, which is found in kiwis, broccoli, oranges and lemons.
• Some legumes, such as soybeans, which contain phytoestrogens, substances that can mimic the effects of estrogen and reduce cholesterol levels.

A diet that can help you keep your bad cholesterol levels low - vegetarian diet , since it excludes the consumption of animal fats and involves the consumption of large amounts of fruits and vegetables rich in vegetable fats containing sterols, which have a structure similar to cholesterol and stimulate the reduction of total cholesterol.

Lipoproteins (or lipoproteins) are a combination of lipids (fats) and proteins. - a soft, waxy substance found in all parts of the body.

It cannot dissolve on its own in the blood, so special “carriers” – lipoproteins – are required to transport it through the bloodstream.

There are three types of lipoproteins, the difference between which is the ratio of protein content to cholesterol volume.

• High-density lipoproteins (high-density lipoproteins), the volume of protein in such lipoproteins is quite large, and the cholesterol level is much lower. They are generally called "good" cholesterol because they extract it from artery walls and get rid of it in the liver. The higher the concentration of HDL compared to the concentration of LDL, the better for a person; these lipoproteins are a kind of protection of the body from various cardiac complications, for example, stroke, tachycardia, chronic arterial insufficiency, rheumatic carditis, deep vein thrombosis;
• Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) contain higher concentrations of cholesterol compared to protein and are called “bad” cholesterol. A large amount of LDL in the blood increases the likelihood of aortic disease, stroke, and blood vessel disease. They also trigger the formation of cholesterol plaques along the inner wall of the artery. When the number of these plaques increases, the excess volume narrows the arteries and reduces blood flow. As a result of the rupture of such a plaque, peculiar blood clots (thrombi) are formed, which also limit blood flow. This lump can lead to a heart attack or myocardial infarction (if it is in one of the coronary arteries);
• Very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) contain even less protein than LDL;
• Triglycerides are a type of fat that the body uses as a source of energy. The combination of high triglyceride concentrations and low HDL levels can also cause a heart attack or stroke. When checking HDL and LDL levels, doctors often evaluate triglyceride levels.

Read more about lipoproteins and cholesterol

Normal indicators

*The conversion factor from mg/dL to mmol*/L is 18.1.

In women and men levels a little different(but not by much):

Ask your question to a clinical laboratory diagnostics doctor

Anna Poniaeva. She graduated from the Nizhny Novgorod Medical Academy (2007-2014) and Residency in Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics (2014-2016).

High-density lipoproteins, or HDL - often called good cholesterol - contain more protein molecules than other lipoproteins. Lipoproteins are special substances that transport fats and lipids through the blood that are poorly soluble in water. In particular, lipoproteins transport cholesterol from the liver to its destination and back.

High-density lipoproteins are considered “good cholesterol” because, unlike low-density lipoproteins or LDL, they do not settle on the walls of blood vessels and do not contribute to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. Moreover, they have the ability to transport cholesterol already deposited on the walls of blood vessels back to the liver, cleansing the blood vessels and preventing the development of atherosclerosis.

The normal level of HDL cholesterol in the blood. Explanation of the result (table)

Why is it necessary to determine the level of high-density lipoprotein concentration? As already mentioned, HDL helps cleanse blood vessels of atherosclerotic plaques and reduce the risk of developing heart and vascular disease. In other words, the higher the content of HDL in a patient’s blood, the better protected he is from the development of dangerous diseases such as coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, heart attack or stroke. When HDL levels only double, the likelihood of a heart attack decreases by as much as 8 times.

Knowing the concentration of HDL in the patient’s body, it is easy to calculate an indicator called the atherogenic coefficient.

K xc = Total cholesterol – HDL-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol

This coefficient shows the ratio of the content of bad cholesterol - low-density lipoproteins to the content of good cholesterol. In addition, analysis of HDL can help in diagnosing various diseases that cause changes in their concentration and deviation from the norm, both in one direction and the other.

An HDL test is prescribed in the following cases:

• for the diagnosis of atherosclerosis and related diseases of the cardiovascular system,
• for various liver diseases,
• during preventive examinations of the patient, to assess his health and the likelihood of him developing certain diseases.

Blood is drawn from a vein, strictly on an empty stomach, in the morning. It is recommended not to eat food 12-14 hours before the test.

The level of HDL cholesterol in the blood depends on the age and gender of the person. As a rule, this figure is higher in women.

If HDL is elevated, what does that mean?

An increase in HDL levels is usually considered a good sign and is regarded as an antiatherogenic factor, that is, a factor that prevents the development of atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular diseases. However, there are certain pathological conditions that can also lead to increased HDL levels. This:

• Primary hyper-alpha-lipoproteinemia is a hereditary disease,
• chronic hepatitis,
• biliary cirrhosis of the liver.

An increase in HDL levels is caused by a decrease in body weight in overweight people, various stressful conditions, and also alcoholism. That is why the deviation of HDL from the norm, even in a positive direction, requires additional study of the reasons that led to this phenomenon.

If HDL is low, what does that mean?

As you probably already understood, a reduced level of HDL significantly increases the risk of developing atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Not so long ago, it was believed that it was all about excess consumption of “bad” cholesterol in food. But back at the beginning of this century, it was found out that food has nothing to do with it, it’s all about decreased thyroid function or hypothyroidism. It is this that helps reduce the production of HDL and. on the contrary, an increase in LDL levels.

Other diseases that can cause the HDL cholesterol level in the blood to deviate downward:

• Primary hypo-alpha-lipoproteinemia is a hereditary disease,
• decompensated diabetes mellitus,
• nephrotic syndrome,
• cholestasis,
• hypertriglyceridemia,
• chronic renal failure,
• acute infectious inflammatory processes occurring in the body.

Taking certain medications - diuretics, beta blockers, progestin-based drugs or danazol - can also lead to the same result.

Cholesterol enters the body with food, most of all with dairy products and meat. But it is also produced by the liver.

It is vital:

• Cell membranes are created from it for all tissues and organs of the human body without exception.
• It also creates hormones that are responsible for growth, development and the possibility of reproduction.
• Bile is formed from cholesterol in the liver, which helps the intestines function.

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance. And fats do not dissolve in water, which means that in their pure form the blood cannot transport them. Therefore, cholesterol is “packaged” into protein. The new combination of cholesterol and protein is called lipoprotein.

Several types of lipoproteins circulate in the human body, differing in their structure and functions:

• Very low density lipoproteins. Formed in the liver. Lipids are transported through the bloodstream.
• Low density lipoproteins. They are formed from very low density lipoproteins after triglycerides are released. That is, it is almost pure cholesterol.
• High density lipoproteins. Excess cholesterol is transported through the bloodstream to the liver. Where bile is then formed from it.

In other words, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is “good” cholesterol.

Cholesterol "bad" and "good"

Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are the main type of “transport” of total cholesterol.

In this form it is:

• Moves throughout the body;
• Becomes the cause of plaque settling on blood vessels and their possible blockage;
• Provokes the occurrence of heart attacks, coronary heart disease, stroke and atherosclerosis. Therefore, this cholesterol is conventionally called “bad”.

High density lipoproteins:

• Transfer fats and total cholesterol from one cell to another;
• The remaining “unnecessary” cholesterol is collected and transferred back to the liver, which processes it into bile.

That is, they collect excess cholesterol and prevent its deposition on the walls of blood vessels. Therefore, high-density lipoproteins are normal for the body and such HDL cholesterol is also called “good” cholesterol.

HDL contains approximately 30% of the body's total cholesterol. The rest of the cholesterol comes from LDL. Its level in the blood constantly fluctuates and if it increases, high-density lipoproteins will not be able to cope with it.

It will be deposited on the walls of blood vessels and narrow the lumen, complicating the movement of blood. In this case, the vessels will lose their elasticity and atherosclerosis will develop. The risk of developing heart disease will increase several times.

Normal levels of “good” cholesterol in the blood:

1. For men: up to 19 years old 30-65 mg/dl, from 20 years old and older 30-70 mg/dl.
2. For women the indicators are more dynamic: under the age of 14 years 30-65 mg/dl, from 15 to 19 years 30-70 mg/dl, from 20 to 29 years 30-75 mg/dl, from 30 to 39 years 30-80 mg/dl, aged 40 years and older 30-85 mg/dl.

Once you reach the upper age limit after which the level of HDL in the blood should no longer change, it is recommended to regularly donate blood to determine your cholesterol level.

HDL deviations from the norm

Because HDL removes excess cholesterol, high levels are not a risk. On the contrary, in this case the risk of developing coronary heart disease is reduced several times.

But a decrease in HDL, even with a normal level of regular cholesterol, increases the risk of plaque deposition several times. So even if the level is elevated, high-density lipoproteins are not a bad factor for the body.

There are several reasons that cause HDL deviation from the norm, among them:

• Genetic abnormalities.
• Chronic alcoholism leading to liver cirrhosis.
• Deviations in the functioning of the thyroid gland - hyperthyroidism.
• Regular use of certain medications (eg, insulin).

In any case, even elevated HDL should not be significantly higher than normal. Otherwise, this already speaks of pathology.

Increase HDL

It seems that the higher the level of HDL in the blood, the better. Because the risk of developing heart and vascular diseases is reduced almost proportionally. But it is not so. A significant increase in indicators is a signal of pathology.

Usually:

• The presence of hyperlipoproteinemia is a hereditary high level of high-density lipoproteins.
• Cirrhosis of the liver.
• Chronic hepatitis.
• Long-term intoxication of the body - alcohol, smoking, etc.

There are two factors that affect the increase in HDL, but are not pathological:

• Pregnancy. Throughout pregnancy, elevated HDL levels are normal. Therefore, the test should be taken no earlier than 2 months after birth.
• Taking medications on a regular basis. For example, insulin.

In the case of an increase in high-density lipoproteins, it is necessary first to exclude risk factors. And treat the diseases that caused it.

Procedure for conducting the study

Lipidogram - analysis of cholesterol levels in the blood. Recommended for anyone over 20 years of age.

But there are also a number of cases when testing is necessary:

1. Or if the person is taking cholesterol-lowering medications.
2. If a person follows a low-fat diet as recommended by a doctor.
3. If there is a hereditary factor, the child first needs to take this test between the ages of 2 and 10 years.
4. If at least one of the risk factors is present:

• Smoking.
• Age for men is from 45 years, for women from 55 years.
• Heredity.
• Having had a stroke, heart attack or coronary heart disease.
• Diabetes.
• Obesity.
• Alcoholism.
• A large percentage of fatty foods in the regular diet.

A lipid profile is a common blood test. It is administered according to the general rules - on an empty stomach, the day before you need to avoid physical activity, baths and fatty foods.

There are no special requirements for preparation for it. This blood test also shows high-density lipoproteins.

Risk analysis

Long-term high cholesterol leads to the development of a variety of diseases.

Everything in the body is connected, including through the blood:

• First of all, the cardiac system suffers.
• Atherosclerosis- a natural consequence of liming of blood vessels and loss of elasticity.
• The liver naturally suffers. As an organ directly involved in the process of cholesterol processing. Obesity immediately develops.
• The kidneys suffer as the load on them increases significantly.
• Diabetes and pancreatitis. Possible development of pancreatic cancer. This is a “payment” for a diseased liver, among other things.
• The thyroid gland is an organ of the endocrine system. Fats are involved in the production of hormones, so their concentration in the blood affects all systems of the body.

Reducing cholesterol is no less dangerous for the body. Against this background, a variety of diseases develop - from pulmonary tuberculosis to acute infectious diseases. An increase in cholesterol levels does not happen suddenly, so it is possible to control this process without causing irreversible consequences.

Food is a source of cholesterol

Although cholesterol is produced by the liver, much of it comes from food.

In order to more or less control your cholesterol levels, it is enough to navigate the foods and know which of them have high cholesterol:

1. Chicken egg yolks.
2. Sausage.
3. Margarine.
4. Caviar.
5. By-products - liver, lungs, etc.
6. Canned fish. This only applies to canned food in oil. Fish in its own juice is not dangerous.
7. Fast food.
8. Processed meat - all kinds of stews, canned meat, etc.
9. Shrimp, mussels, oysters.

These foods should be avoided completely until your cholesterol levels return to normal. In extreme cases, the quantity must be greatly reduced.

But it is necessary to understand that we are not talking about eating these products in general, but about their abuse. Taking small amounts along with plant fiber, especially before lunch, will charge the body with energy. An active day will help burn “bad” cholesterol.

Food is a source of fiber

Fiber helps lower cholesterol levels. With regular consumption of plant foods, cholesterol levels are reduced by 60%. Plant fiber is found in vegetables and fruits, as well as in fats of non-animal origin. For example, there is no cholesterol in olive or sunflower oil.

Plant foods not only do not contain cholesterol, but also speed up the digestion process. If you have high cholesterol, adding fruits and vegetables to your diet will result in lower cholesterol levels.

This will also be facilitated by reducing the interval between meals.. If you highlight three main meals - breakfast, lunch and dinner, and snack exclusively on fresh fruit between them, your cholesterol levels will decrease significantly.

Prevention

Cholesterol levels love balance; any imbalance in diet will, accordingly, cause an increase in cholesterol levels:

1. Balance in nutrition. Animal fats are also necessary. They, among other things, participate in the formation of “good” cholesterol. Therefore, their intake can be limited, but should not be completely excluded from food. And during the reception - yes. Until 12 noon, at the latest until 2 pm.
2. A combination of animal fats and fiber. More vegetables, more fruits. A balanced diet will give not only low cholesterol levels, but also excellent health, smooth skin and long youth.
3. Movement. In the literal sense of the word, this is life. Intense physical activity will lower the level of “bad” cholesterol and increase the level of “good” cholesterol. In addition, walking after eating will speed up the transport of fats. This means that they will not have a chance to settle on the walls of blood vessels. Track and field athletes are able to lower their cholesterol levels 79% faster than other people.
4. Rejection of bad habits.
5. Taking vitamins.
6. Drink green tea. It has been scientifically proven to significantly reduce the level of “bad” cholesterol.

Hypercholesterolemia, a condition in which the level of cholesterol in the blood is elevated, is included in the list of the most important risk factors that provoke the occurrence of myocardial infarction. The human liver produces cholesterol in sufficient quantities, so it should not be consumed in food.

Lipoproteins are of high (HDL or HDL), low (LDL) and very low (VLDL) density. Each of them is considered in assessing the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Most of the blood cholesterol is contained in low-density lipoproteins (LDL). It is they who deliver cholesterol to cells and tissues, including through the coronary arteries to the heart and higher.

Found in LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, it plays a very important role in the formation of plaque (accumulation of fatty substances) on the inner walls of the arteries. In turn, these are the causes of sclerosis of blood vessels, coronary arteries, and the risk of myocardial infarction in this case is increased.

This is why the cholesterol found in LDL is called “bad” cholesterol. The levels of LDL and VLDL are increased - this is where the causes of cardiovascular diseases lie.

HDL (high-density lipoprotein) also transports cholesterol in the blood, but being part of HDL, the substance does not participate in the formation of plaques. In fact, the activity of the proteins that make up HDL is to remove excess cholesterol from body tissues. It is this quality that determines the name of this cholesterol: “good”.

If HDL (high-density lipoprotein) levels in a person’s blood are elevated, the risk of cardiovascular disease is negligible. is another term for fat. Fats are the most important source of energy and HDL takes this into account.

Partially triglycerides enter the body with fats along with food. If an excess amount of carbohydrates, fats and alcohol enters the body, then the calories, accordingly, are much higher than normal.

In this case, the production of additional triglycerides begins, which means it affects HDL.

Triglycerides are transported into cells by the same lipoproteins that deliver cholesterol. There is a direct relationship between the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and high triglyceride levels, especially if HDL levels are below normal.

What to do

1. If possible, partially eliminate fatty foods from your diet. If the concentration of fat in the energy supplied from food decreases to 30%, and the share of saturated fat remains less than 7%, such a change will be a significant contribution to achieving normal blood cholesterol levels. There is no need to completely eliminate fats from your diet.
2. Oils and saturated fats should be replaced with polyunsaturated ones, for example, soybean, olive, safflower, sunflower, and corn oils. The consumption of foods rich in saturated fats should be reduced to a minimum. They raise LDL and VLDL levels higher than any other dietary component. All animal fats, some vegetable fats (palm oil and coconut oil), and hydrogenated fats are classified as highly saturated fats.
3. You should not eat food that contains trans fats. They are hydrogenated and are more dangerous for the heart than saturated fats. The manufacturer indicates all information about trans fats on the product packaging.

Important! You need to stop eating foods that contain cholesterol. To limit the intake of “bad” (LDL and VLDL) cholesterol into the body, it is enough to give up fatty foods (especially saturated fats).

Otherwise, LDL will be significantly higher than normal.

Foods that contain high cholesterol:

• eggs;
• whole milk;
• crustaceans;
• shellfish;
• animal organs, in particular the liver.

The analysis confirms that the consumption of plant fiber helps reduce cholesterol levels.

Sources of plant fiber:

1. carrot;
2. pears;
3. apples;
4. peas;
5. dried beans;
6. barley;
7. oats

It is advisable to get rid of extra pounds on the body if your weight is significantly higher than normal. Obese people often have elevated cholesterol levels. If you try to lose 5-10 kg, this will have a significant impact on your cholesterol levels and will make treatment easier, which will also be shown by a blood test.

Physical activity is equally important. It plays a big role in maintaining good heart function. To do this, you can start running, riding a bike, or take a swimming pool membership. After starting classes, any blood test will show that cholesterol is no longer elevated.

Even a simple climb up the stairs (the higher the better) and gardening will have a beneficial effect on the entire body and in particular on reducing cholesterol.

Smoking should be stopped once and for all. In addition to the fact that the addiction harms the heart and blood vessels, it also raises cholesterol levels above normal. After 20 years and older, a cholesterol test must be taken at least once every 5 years.

How is the analysis done?

The lipoprotein profile (the so-called analysis) is an indicator of the concentration of total cholesterol, HDL (high-density lipoprotein), LDL, VLDL and triglycerides.

For the indicators to be objective, the analysis should be carried out on an empty stomach. With age, cholesterol levels change; the level will be increased in any case.

This process is especially noticeable in women during menopause. In addition, there is a hereditary tendency to hypercholesterolemia.

Therefore, it would not hurt to ask your relatives about their cholesterol levels (if such an analysis was carried out) and find out whether all indicators are higher than the norm.

Treatment

If the level of cholesterol in the blood is elevated, this is a provoking factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases. This means that in order to achieve a reduction in this indicator in the patient and prescribe the correct treatment, the doctor must take into account all the reasons, which include:

• high blood pressure;
• smoking;
• presence of heart disease in close relatives;
• age of the patient (men after 45, women after 55 years);
• HDL level is reduced (≤ 40).

Some patients will require drug treatment, that is, drugs that lower blood lipid levels. But even when taking medications, we must not forget about maintaining a proper diet and physical activity.

Today, there are all kinds of medications that help maintain proper lipid metabolism. An endocrinologist will select adequate treatment.