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Reducing Heart Disease by Lowering Your Cholesterol
Reducing Heart Disease by Lowering Your Cholesterol“I had been to the doctor and my cholesterol was I think around 190 and we were watching it. And hehad the conversation with me about what to eat, what not to eat.”Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in the blood stream anywhere in your body. Some cholesterol is goodand can actually help your body. But some types of cholesterol are bad and can increase your risk of heartdisease.The bad "LDL" type of cholesterol can stick to the walls of your arteries and cause them to narrow whichreduces blood and oxygen flow to the heart.Over time, the increased cholesterol levels from unhealthy food choices, lack of exercise, and your familyhistory, can cause your arteries to become further narrowed and even blocked.“All of a sudden I started feeling funny and I started feeling tingling in my arms.”If you already have cardiovascular disease, you most likely already have blood vessel damage, and are at ahigher risk for more damage from heart attack or stroke.Work with your healthcare provider to reach a healthy cholesterol level.Your healthcare provider will recommend you make lifestyle changes like making healthy food choices andgetting regular exercise.You may also be prescribed medication to help reduce cholesterol.To make healthy food choices, choose foods low in saturated fats, and try to avoid trans fat. This fat isgenerally in commercially packaged foods and fast foods. Trans fat significantly increases your chance of heartattack or stroke.Instead of unhealthy fats, choose healthy fats. These include monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats suchas Omega 3 fatty acids. Healthy fats can be found in nuts, seeds, high quality olive oil and fish like salmon.Gradually add more fruit, vegetables, lean meat like chicken, recommended portions of whole grain breads andpastas, cereal and brown rice to your diet.Eat less fried food, fatty meat, and baked goods. These contain the "saturated and trans fats" which furtherdamage your arteries.Read the food label to figure out if that food fits your plan.And pay attention to the serving size on the food label. Sticking to this serving size is another great way to eathealthier.Exercise is always good for the heart. The American Heart Association recommends you get 150 minutes ofmoderate to vigorous aerobic activity per week to protect your heart.This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.PRG10125C EN ReducingHeartDiseaseByLoweringYourCholesterol.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 1 of 2Reducing Heart Disease by Lowering Your CholesterolStart slow, and just start moving! Aerobic exercise strengthens your heart muscle and improves your body’soverall circulation.It’s also the best kind of exercise to help you lose weight.Choose activities such as walking, jogging, swimming, or dancing.The most common type of medication people with heart disease take to help lower their cholesterol is called astatin. Take it as directed.Most side effects of statins are mild and go away with time. If you experience overall body aches or extremefatigue, call your healthcare provider.Remember, maintaining healthy cholesterol can reduce your risk of further blood vessel damage and loweryour risk of a first or second heart attack or stroke.This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.PRG10125C EN ReducingHeartDiseaseByLoweringYourCholesterol.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 2 of 2
Heart & Vascular Center
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