National Cholesterol Month
The month of October is a very important time of year. There will be more and more leaves covering the ground as autumn really starts to take hold. The month ends with the event of Halloween, and daylight savings time takes place. However, what is not widely known is that October is also the UK’s National Cholesterol Month.
The month is dedicated to promoting heart problem-related charities, as well as highlighting the danger of high cholesterol. This latter issue is particularly important as it is often noted that just under 40% of UK adults have high or borderline high LDL cholesterol, otherwise known as bad cholesterol. A large number of these people require some form of care.
It being national cholesterol month and the fact that we are an esteemed purveyor of personal care from Telford, we thought we would look at some of the causes, the negative side effects and ways to lower high cholesterol.
Causes of High Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in your blood. Too much of the substance can lead to serious health problems. The main causes of high cholesterol are generally unhealthy lifestyle choices. Some of the choices include; eating fatty food, not exercising enough, drinking alcohol, smoking and being overweight.
Issues with cholesterol are not always related to general lifestyle choice. High Cholesterol can sometimes be caused by underlying health conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Additionally, the problem is sometimes hereditary.
Side Effects of High Cholesterol
Too much cholesterol in your system can lead to the formation of deposits or plaques (as they are sometimes called). When more and more deposits collect on your artery walls, your arteries can become narrowed or even blocked in some severe cases. If the plaque ruptures, a blood clot can form.
Some of the negative side effects can include, but are definitely not limited to, chest pain and the potential for a heart attack and stroke.
Prevention and Coping Mechanisms
As you may have already guessed, you will want to do everything in your power to prevent or lower your cholesterol if it were to become high. Some of the proven methods for coping with high cholesterol:
- Limiting, or cutting out animal fats
- Use good fats in moderation
- Stop smoking
- Consume alcohol in moderation or quit it all together
- Eat a low-salt diet, preferably focusing on fruits, vegetables and whole grains
- Exercise more and often
- Try to maintain a healthy weight
- Ensure you manage your stress levels
High-Quality Personal Care
At Hands on Care, we provide high quality personal care to Shrewsbury, Telford and surrounding areas. So whether you or another individual requires assistance with high cholesterol, please contact us. Additionally, why not stay up to date with our blog for more interesting and helpful information regarding treatment of various conditions.
In one of our most recent blogs, we covered ways to lower high blood pressure and we will no doubt cover more topics which could be of interest to you.