What is Cholesterol and how does it affect heart

                  SOME FACTS
-- Heart disease is one of the most alarming disease in world today.

-- It is estimated that there are 45 million patients of coronary artery
   disease in India alone.

-- Today one fifth of the deaths in India are due to coronary heart
    disease. It is estimated that by the year 2020, it will account for
    one third of all deaths.

-- Studies from World Health Organization suggest, that by the year
    2020 India will have the largest cardiovascular deaths in the world.

I have heard about Cholesterol, but what is it?

Cholesterol is a form of fat. It is mainly manufactured in the liver from a variety of foods, but mostly from saturated fats (saturated fat is found chiefly in foods of animal origin such as milk, butter, ghee and meat). A certain level of cholesterol is necessary for the proper functioning of your body. But high cholesterol levels may increase your risk of developing a heart disease. There are 2 types of Cholesterol: Good Cholesterol" i.e. HDL- Cholesterol (HDL- C) Bad Cholesterol" i.e. LDL- Cholesterol (LDL- C)

What is Good Cholesterol?
HDL -Cholesterol (HDL-C) is termed as "Good Cholesterol".HDL-C reduces the risk of heart disease. It carries excess cholesterol from the arteries to the liver for recycling or disposal. Thus preventing cholesterol
deposits in the arteries.Therefore, more the HDL- Cholesterol in your blood, lesser is the risk of developing a heart disease. Your life style goal should be to increase HDL- Cholesterol level in your blood.

What is Bad Cholesterol? And how does it cause a Heart Disease ?
LDL - Cholesterol ( LDL-C) is termed as "Bad Cholesterol". LDL-C increases the risk of heart disease.
LDL - Cholesterol sticks to the walls of the blood vessels thereby narrowing them, leading to slow down of blood flow to the heart or complete blockage.
If the blood supply to a portion of heart is completely cut off by a blockage, then that portion of heart muscle dies and the result is a Heart Attack.
Therefore, more the LDL - Cholesterol in your blood, higher is the risk of heart disease

Which tests are included in a lipid profile ?

Lipid profile usually includes :

-- Total Cholesterol

-- Triglycerides

-- HDL - Cholesterol (by Direct method)

-- LDL - Cholesterol (by Direct method)

'Direct Estimation Methods' test are more accurate and precise than the conventional methods used for reporting i.e. Precipitation method for HDL-C & Friedewald's formula for LDL-C.

How is a lipid profile useful ?

Knowing your Total Cholesterol, LDL - Cholesterol, HDL Cholesterol and Triglycerides will help you evaluate your own risk of developing heart disease. It will also help you consult your doctor to take adequate steps to reduce your risk factors

What affects cholesterol levels?

Various factors can affect cholesterol levels in your blood. Here are few suggestions to act on :

• Diet: Saturated fat and cholesterol originating from the food you eat increase your blood cholesterol level. So it should be avoided.

• Weight: Being overweight is a risk factor for heart
disease. It also tends to increase your cholesterol. It is therefore recommended to control your weight.

• Physical Activity : Regular physical activity can help you lower LDL-C (bad cholesterol) and raise HDL-C (good cholesterol) levels. It will also help you lose weight. Regular walks are hence suggested.

Who are at a high risk of developing heart disease ?

These are few of the individuals who need to be more careful as they might have a risk factor for heart disease:

-- Smokers or tobacco users
-- Individuals with high Blood Pressure
-- Diabetics
-- Age and Gender: As women and men get older, their
   cholesterol levels increase. After menopause, women's
   LDL - C levels tend to rise.

-- Heredity: Your genes partly determine how much
   cholesterol. Your body makes. High blood cholesterol can be
   hereditary.

How can you lower blood cholesterol levels?
Few tips :
A healthy diet is a good start. You can help yourself by cutting down on the amount of saturated fat in your diet. Other factors such as smoking and high blood pressure must also be controlled. Regular exercise such as brisk walking, swimming or cycling would also help.

What eating habits are recommended for you ?

Harmful food
Ghee, Butter, Paneer, Cheese,Coconut Oil, Vanaspati, Redmeat, Cake, Pastry, Jam, Jelly, Chocolate, Soft Drinks, Ice-cream, Alcohol, Potato, Nuts, Coconut, Paratha, Puri and Spicy food.

Harmless food

Rice, Dal, Roti from atta, Green Chola, Cream Cracker Biscuits, Marie Biscuits, Green Vegetables in large quantity. Sweet can be taken in a small quantity but not regularly. Chicken only twice a week, Home-made curd, Channa, Mustard oil, any seasonal fruit and a limited quantity of salt.

Should you take drugs to lower your Cholesterol levels?

People with heart disease and people who are at high risk of heart disease may need to take cholesterol lowering drugs.
The decision to treat cholesterol levels with drugs is taken after blood cholesterol levels rise very high & also after taking into account other risk factors for