Introduction
You can't walk down a grocery store aisle without seeing the words "low cholesterol" in bold letters, printed on products ranging from snack foods to cereals. Cholesterol is an important substance that the body needs to survive, especially when it comes to the production of hormones and the makeup of cells. However, consuming too much bad cholesterol can have long-term negative effects on the the heart. These effects are important to understand as you plan your weekly food menu.
Cholesterol Levels
Cholesterol comes in two types: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or "bad" cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) "good" cholesterol. According to the National Cholesterol Education Program, after age 20, you should have your cholesterol levels tested every five years. This will help warn you of possible heart risks (such as for arteriosclerosis or heart disease) in time to prevent the issues from occurring. According to the American Heart Association, healthful blood cholesterol levels should be below 200 mg/dL of blood, with a reading of 100 mg/dL or less being optimal. Anything over these amounts can put you at risk for heart complications. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, as many as 17 percent of the United States population has a cholesterol level above 240 mg/dL.
Plaque
One of the most common ways that cholesterol affects the heart is through the buildup of atheromatous plaque in the arteries. This plaque buildup is referred to as atherosclerosis. As the levels of LDL cholesterol rise in the blood, the cholesterol has a tendency to stick to the artery walls and calcify. As more plaque builds up, the arterial passage narrows, making it difficult for blood to pass through. In some cases, blood no longer can make it through the opening of the artery.
Oxygen
The heart depends on arteries to supply itself and the many other tissues of the body with oxygen. As arteries tighten, the heart has to work harder to transport blood through the blockage. This can overwork the heart muscles, causing them to harden or stop working all together. The loss of oxygen to the heart can also cause the heart to have problems functioning. This can lead to a tightening or pain in the chest, and eventually will lead to a heart attack.
Good Cholesterol
Not all cholesterol affects the heart negatively. HDL (good) cholesterol is an integral part of helping prevent the damage to the heart that can be done by LDL cholesterol. HDL cholesterol helps remove excess LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream by transporting it to the liver. The liver can then process the bad cholesterol and send it out of the body. This helps keep your cholesterol levels balanced and healthy.
