Strategies to Keep Cholesterol Levels Steady Over the Festive Season

Strategies to keep your cholesterol in check even during the holidays Eating unhealthy food during the holidays can raise cholesterol by 20%, increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke.

To avoid this, it is important to follow a healthy diet. Partying can have negative effects on cardiovascular health, as large amounts of unhealthy food are usually consumed. Experts explain how cholesterol levels are affected this year and what strategies you can use to maintain a healthy heart.

Making the right choices and talking to your doctor can help protect your heart health. The merriment of the holiday season can bring joy to your year, but it can also wreak havoc on your cardiovascular health. Studies show that bad cholesterol increases by about 20% during the holidays.

Dr. Norman Lepor, a cardiologist at Cedars Sinai in Beverly Hills, Calif., told Healthkettle that the holiday season typically results in 3 to 5 pounds of weight gain due to increased eating and drinking. Excessive consumption of unhealthy foods and drinks and stress from activities such as shopping, traveling and attending parties can reduce the time for mindful eating and physical activity. It can have harmful effects on the heart. Lepor noted that the most heart attack days are December 25th, December 26th and the first day of January. Effects of Cholesterol on General Health .

The impact of cholesterol levels on overall health

There are two types of cholesterol. Most of the cholesterol in the body is low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, often called “bad” cholesterol. cholesterol Higher LDL levels can increase the chance of a heart attack or stroke.

According to Lepor, cholesterol travels through the arteries and veins and then builds up in the walls of the blood vessels, leading to plaque. Lepor compared the process of atherosclerosis with rusting and stated that this rusting of the arteries can cause heart attacks in the coronary arteries or strokes in the carotid circulation. He pointed out that many people in Western society have high levels of LDL cholesterol. According to Lepor, elevated cholesterol is considered an LDL cholesterol level of more than 100 milligrams per deciliter. HDL cholesterol, also known as “good” cholesterol.

Cholesterol, collects cholesterol from the blood and transports it to the liver, where it is then excreted from the body. High HDL levels are associated with a lower risk of heart disease and stroke. Blood levels of triglycerides, a type of fat, are related to cardiovascular health. High triglycerides combined with low LDL or low HDL cholesterol can increase the risk of heart attack. Healthkettle offers more information on heart health tips and ways to lower triglycerides. Amy Pierce, a nurse practitioner and clinical lipid specialist at the Norton Heart and Vascular Institute, told Healthkettle that elevated triglyceride levels can cause inflammation in blood vessel walls, making it easier for plaque to build up over time.

A Consideration of Medication’s Role in Keeping Cholesterol in Check

Weighing medications and their role in controlling cholesterol About half of the U.S. population has high cholesterol and needs medication, but a large percentage of them don’t get treatment, Lepor said. He hypothesized that the main cause of atherosclerosis, the thickening or hardening of the arteries due to coronary or carotid artery disease, which is the leading cause of death, is probably because many people with elevated cholesterol levels do not receive treatment. He suggested that doctors should be more active in treating cholesterol problems, but also emphasized the importance of adherence to cholesterol-lowering medications such as statins.

Pierce mentioned that statin drugs, along with diet and exercise, are the main approach to treating high cholesterol. Not only do statins lower total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides and improve HDL, he says, but they can also reduce inflammation in blood vessels and stabilize the plaque that protects the heart and blood vessels. If statins are not well tolerated or do not lower cholesterol to acceptable levels, alternative options should be discussed with your doctor.

As an example, Lepor cited Leqvion, a new HCP injection added to statin therapy and diet and exercise. It is given twice a year after the first two injections. He noted that while lifestyle changes should not be taken lightly, they should be combined with the use of pharmacology. Let’s explore the reasons why it is useful to reflect on heart health at the end of the year The holiday season is a great opportunity to reflect on your diet and exercise choices and think about how to get healthier in the coming year.

Exploring reasons why it is beneficial to contemplate one’s heart health at the end of the year

To stay on track and achieve your goals in the best way possible, it’s important to stay in touch with your health care provider after setting goals, Pierce suggested. Lepor emphasized that being proactive is the perfect way to take care of yourself and your heart. andquot;People often do not know they have coronary artery disease until a major event, such as a heart attack or sudden death, has occurred. It is imperative that patients be their own advocates and quot; emphasized the speaker.

Dr. Lepor recommends that both men age 45 and older and women who are perimenopausal or older should have their doctor perform a coronary calcium scan to detect possible hard plaque.

The scan can detect plaque buildup much earlier than it would cause a problem, allowing preventative measures to be taken. The speaker stated that most people can achieve ideal cholesterol levels using prescribed medications and lifestyle and encouraged people to be aware of their cholesterol levels. Dr. Lepor emphasizes the need to be proactive in consulting your doctor for healthy lifestyle recommendations and disease detection. It is important to make an appointment with you