Having healthy cholesterol levels is imperative for maintaining good healthy, especially the older you get. High cholesterol levels leave you with a higher risk of heart disease and strokes as you age. Certain people are more susceptible to having high cholesterol due to their lifestyle choices, levels of activity and family history. The key to overcoming high cholesterol is being aware and identifying your risk factors and taking steps to change them in the name of better health.
Diet
Your diet could be one of the largest deciding factors in your high cholesterol levels. Those individuals who indulge in a diet that is high in saturated fats are sure to have high levels of LDL, the bad cholesterol, in their bodies. On the contrary, those who eat healthy foods and consume high levels of omega-3 fatty acids have a higher count of HDL, the good cholesterol.
Weight
Figuring out your body mass index, or BMI, can make you more aware of your high cholesterol risk factors. The Mayo Clinic notes that those with a BMI of 30 and above have an increased risk of high cholesterol due to their obesity. Implementing a schedule of exercise for 30 minutes at least three times per week can help you lose weight and lower your cholesterol levels.
Smoking
Among all of the other reasons that one should quit smoking, smoking also affects your cholesterol levels. Because of the damage that smoking inflicts on your blood vessels, LDL cholesterol will more easily build up on the vessel walls. Besides raising your bad cholesterol, smoking also lowers good cholesterol. Quitting as soon as possible can help your body start to repair and lower cholesterol levels.
Age
As you age, your body begins to work less effectively, and cholesterol and fatty deposits can accumulate, causing you to have higher cholesterol. Women especially may notice a spike in their cholesterol levels when they become pregnant and as they go through menopause. Men seem to generally have a higher instance of high LDL than women, so they should focus carefully on other factors to make sure that they are not at risk for heart disease and stroke.
Genetics
Unfortunately, genetics, like age and gender, aren't something you can change. If your parents or grandparents had a problem with bad cholesterol laves, then there is a good chance that you will as well. In fact, if anyone in your immediate family developed heart disease before age 55, you automatically have a greater risk of heart disease due to cholesterol as well. Since you cannot change it, if you know that you are at high risk, you should concentrate on other lifestyle choices to keep your LDL cholesterol low and your HDL cholesterol high.
