|
High blood pressure
compounds the effects of high serum cholesterol levels. Keeping blood
pressure under control through various means prescribed to you by your
physician can lessen the chances of significant arteriosclerosis
developing.
Smoking
is another factor proven to promote the development of atherosclerosis and
should be avoided.
Diabetes
accelerates the development of heart disease and should be controlled as
closely as possible.
Obesity
is yet another factor promoting the development of atherosclerosis. Excess
body fat located around the middle is of the utmost concern.
You
DO
have some control over all of the above mentioned risk factors, so don't
despair. Making changes that you can continue throughout your lifetime are
important.
DON'T
try the impossible! Make changes slowly. |
|
Once you have become comfortable with the first change and have been able
to incorporate it into your daily routine then start on the next. Be
patient with yourself and make a commitment to each change you make.
Elevated triglyceride
levels may be another risk factor in the development of heart disease.
Although no direct link has yet been established it has been discovered
that high triglyceride levels often accompany higher total cholesterol and
LDL "bad" cholesterol and lower HDL "good" cholesterol levels. Having high
blood triglyceride levels doesn't mean you'll develop heart disease, but
the chances increase if you have other risk factors.
Triglycerides are the main form of fat in foods.
They come in the form of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated
fats. If you consume excess calories (from carbohydrate, protein or fat),
your body produces triglycerides and stores the extra as body fat.
Drinking alcohol can also boost the livers production of triglycerides. |
n
