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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : May 20, 2014 12:31 PM IST
A total of 58 percent Delhiites have high cholesterol level, a trend which is a direct result of sedentary lifestyle and over-eating, said a study. Out of 9,596 samples tested for lipid profile, LDL levels were high in 58 percent of the people whereas total cholesterol and triglycerides were high in 20-30 percent of the people, said the study by Metropolis Healthcare Ltd.
Higher LDL or bad cholesterol levels puts one at greater risk for a heart attack from a sudden blood clot in an artery narrowed by atherosclerosis. A fairly substantial number of youngsters examined, during the survey, showed the first signs of the onset of a heart ailment - hypercholesterolemia and hypertension. The study findings show that this unhealthy trend is a direct result of a combination of over-eating, increased intake of junk food and sedentary lifestyle. (Read: 7 natural foods to reduce cholesterol (Gallery))
Calling for regular screening of unhealthy cholesterol and lipid level, researchers at Metropolis said surveys such as the one conducted would help identify people who are at a greater risk of hypertension. Metropolis Healthcare is a leading multinational chain of diagnostic centres and there are 700 collection centres across India, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Middle East. (Read: Strawberries boost heart health by lowering bad cholesterol)
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a fat/lipid that is produced in the liver. It is required in certain amount in the blood for proper functioning of the body. When cholesterol levels are in the normal range, the blood flows freely through the veins and arteries. But when the levels start increasing, cholesterol gets deposited on the walls of arteries forming clots (plaques). This results in a lot of health problems like hypertension (high BP), angina (chest pain), heart attacks, strokes and peripheral vascular diseases. Cholesterol is carried through the blood by particles called lipoproteins. There are 3 types of lipoproteins: LDL (low density lipoprotein), HDL (high density lipoprotein) and triglycerides. Cholesterol carried by LDL is called LDL cholesterol or bad cholesterol. It is the main reason for buildup of plaque on the arterial walls. Cholesterol carried by HDL is called HDL cholesterol. It is also called good cholesterol because it helps to reduce the bad cholesterol by taking it back to the liver. Cholesterol and triglycerides together form blood fat.
Why is it harmful?
When cholesterol levels are in the normal range, in a healthy body, the blood flows freely through the veins and arteries. When the cholesterol levels are high, it starts forming clots (or plaque) in your blood vessels causing hypertension (high blood pressure), angina (chest pain), heart attacks, strokes and peripheral vascular diseases.
What is LDL or 'bad cholesterol'? How can it harm you?
Actually just a 'carrier' and not cholesterol, LDL or Low Density Lipoprotein has earned the 'bad boy' label.
LDL or low density lipoprotein, the 'bad cholesterol' carries cholesterol to the cells of the body. And it doesn't even do this job efficiently. It keeps dropping off debris on the way eventually leading to a build up of cholesterol at various sites along the blood vessel.
Secondly, LDL is much smaller than HDL in size and is able to literally 'sneak in' to the inner wall of the blood vessel leading to a build up on the vessel wall too. To make matters worse, the white blood cells (defense cells) which come to take charge of the chaos and repair the damage caused by LDL, only to cause further build up of material in the location. (Read: Cholesterol control mega guide all you need to know to prevent heart disease)
With inputs from IANS
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