Prevent high cholesterol and protect your heart with these tips.
HDLs, LDLs, hyperlipidemia and hypercholesterolemia: what do they mean, and are they putting you in danger of a heart attack?
Though the jargon may well be confusing, it’s worthwhile to grasp the basics of cholesterol and its effect on our heart health – and most importantly, what practical steps you can take to make certain that your cholesterol levels are within a healthy range before a heart emergency arises.
As one of the top agencies for companion care in Baltimore, Home With You Senior Care provides the following simple meanings to help you better understand the do’s and don’ts of cholesterol:
LDL: LDL, or bad cholesterol, leads to the build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries, elevating your chance of a blockage.
HDL: HDL is the for the good cholesterol that has to be retained in proper quantities to eliminate LDL cholesterol and protect the arteries.
Hyperlipidemia: Hyperlipidemia is a condition in which levels of lipids (fats) in the blood are excessive.
Hypercholesterolemia: Hypercholesterolemia is a certain form of hyperlipidemia, signifying elevated levels of LDL in the blood.
A simple blood test to evaluate cholesterol levels is advised for all adults age 20 and older, and if high cholesterol is discovered, making the lifestyle changes below will very likely be advised by the doctor to protect your heart:
- Cease (or never start) smoking. And to take it a step further, try to avoid other smokers as well to protect against the danger of secondhand smoke. Not only does tobacco smoke lower HDL levels, but it greatly increases the likelihood of developing coronary heart disease.
- Maintain a healthy BMI. LDL levels are heightened in people who are overweight or obese. A weight loss of even 10 pounds can go a long way towards lessening bad cholesterol.
- Get moving. A moderate intensity of physical activity (including dancing, riding a bike, swimming, and walking briskly) for at least 150 minutes a week is recommended to ensure proper levels of HDL in the blood.
- Eat for your heart. The American Heart Association suggests a diet high in whole grains, fruits and vegetables, fish, poultry, and nuts, and low in red meat, whole milk dairy products, and saturated fat.
Making lifestyle changes and creating healthier habits is simpler with encouragement and support. The professional care team at Home With You Senior Care is always readily available to partner with older individuals to enhance heart health in a variety of ways:
- Fixing heart-healthy meals for seniors
- Engaging seniors in physician-approved exercise routines
- Supplying safe, dependable transportation for seniors to outings to enhance activity levels
- Grocery shopping for seniors to make certain the refrigerator and pantry are stocked with healthy foods
- Serving as a friendly companion to encourage seniors to live their best possible lives
- And more
Contact us any time at 410-756-0959 for more tips and resources to improve heart health, and to request a free in-home consultation to take the first step in making life healthier for your senior loved ones. We’re proud of our reputation as the provider of the best companion care in Baltimore, and are honored to serve seniors throughout Baltimore and the surrounding area.