Thread by @ChiefPharmacst

Know d difference btw cholesterol Myths & facts, then commit on getting ur Cholesterol checked, so u know ur numbers & ur risk for heart disease & stroke

MYTH: All cholesterol is bad for U

FACT: Some types of cholesterol are essential for good health.
1/c
#CheckYourCholesterol

Your body needs cholesterol to perform important jobs, such as making Hormones(Testosterone, Ostrogen, etc), Vitamin D, and building membrane structure of every cell in your body.

MYTH: All cholesterol are the same.

FACT: Cholesterol travels through the blood on proteins called

lipoproteins. Two types of lipoproteins carry cholesterol throughout the body:

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), sometimes called “BAD” cholesterol, makes up most of your body’s cholesterol. High levels of LDL cholesterol raise your risk for heart disease and stroke.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “GOOD” cholesterol, carries cholesterol back to the liver. The liver then flushes it from the body. High levels of HDL cholesterol can lower your risk for heart disease and stroke.

When your body has too much LDL cholesterol, it can build up

in the plaque in your blood vessels which may result to ATHEROSCLEROSIS which narrows your blood vessels.
This narrowing can restrict and eventually block blood flow to & from your heart and other organs. When blood flow to the heart is blocked, it can cause angina (chest pain)

or a heart attack.

MYTH: I would be able to feel it if I had high cholesterol.
FACT: High cholesterol usually has NO SIGNS or SYMPTOMS. You may not know you have unhealthy cholesterol levels until when you have a heart attack or stroke. That’s why it’s so important to get your

cholesterol levels checked at least every 3-5 years.

MYTH: Eating foods with a lot of cholesterol will not make my cholesterol levels go up.

FACT: It can be complicated. We know that foods with a lot of cholesterol USUALLY also have a lot of saturated fat.

Saturated fats can make your cholesterol numbers higher, so it’s best to choose foods that are lower in saturated fats. Foods made from animals, including red meat, butter, and cheese, have a lot of saturated fats.

Instead, aim to eat foods with plenty of fiber, such as oatmeal

and beans, and healthy unsaturated fats, such as avocados, olive oil, and nuts.

MYTH: I can’t do anything to change my cholesterol levels.

FACT: You can do many things to improve your cholesterol levels and keep them in a healthy range!

- Get tested at least every 3-5 years

(unless told otherwise by your doctor).
- Make healthy food choices.
- Limit foods high in saturated fats. Choose foods naturally high in fiber and unsaturated fats.
- Be active everyday. It's recommended that we exercise 150 to 300minutes each week.
- Don’t smoke or use tobacco

products. Smoking damages your blood vessels, speeds up the hardening of the arteries, and greatly increases your risk for heart disease.
If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, quitting will lower your risk for heart disease.
- Talk with your health care provider

about ways to manage your cholesterol; if any medicines are given to you to manage your cholesterol, take them as they are prescribed.
- Know your family history. If your parents or other immediate family members have high cholesterol, you probably should be tested more often.

MYTH: I don’t need statins or other medicines for my cholesterol. I can manage my cholesterol with diet and exercise.

FACT: Although many people can achieve good cholesterol levels by making healthy food choices and getting enough physical activity, some people may also need

medicines called STATINS to lower their cholesterol levels.

People who may need statins or other medicines to manage cholesterol levels include the following:

- People with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH)
- People with very high levels of “bad” cholesterol.

People with Heart disease (CVD).
Medicines that lower cholesterol may help reduce the risk for heart attack or stroke.
Diabetic patients.

Always talk to your health care provider about the best ways to manage ur cholesterol.

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