It is natural to believe that low cholesterol reduces your risk of clogged arteries. Although this is true, many people do not think about their high-density lipoprotein, or HDL cholesterol. This good cholesterol must be high to clear your arteries and decrease your risk of heart attack and stroke, both of which result from arteries filled with cholesterol and fat.
The Main Culprit
Plaque -- a substance comprised of excess cholesterol, fat and calcium -- builds along the walls of your arteries, restricting blood flow to vital areas of your body, such as your heart and brain. Plaque can become fragile and rupture, causing blood clots to form that completely block your arteries, or travel to other areas of your body -- this is when a heart attack or stroke occurs. A common contributing factor is a low-density lipoprotein, LDL cholesterol, level greater than 100 mg/dL. This cholesterol type is known as "bad" cholesterol, as when levels are high, it increases your risk for heart disease.
The Role of HDL
HDL cholesterol is the good guy, absorbing excess LDL cholesterol, carrying it to your liver, which breaks it down and flushes it from your body. High levels of HDL can reduce your risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke by clearing, or unclogging, your arteries, of excess LDL. When your HDL levels are too low -- less than 50 mg/dL for a woman or 40 mg/dL for a man -- your HDL is unable to perform effectively, leaving your arteries clogged. The American Heart Association advises that healthy HDL levels are 60 mg/dL or greater.
The Best Solution
Keeping your LDL cholesterol low and your HDL levels high is the best defense against plaque buildup. You can achieve this through dietary and lifestyle changes. Your doctor may also prescribe medications. You can increase your HDL and lower your LDL by losing weight. A loss of 6 lbs. can increase your HDL by 1 mg/dL, according to MayoClinic.com. Smoking, another contributing factor to clogged arteries, lowers your HDL. Quitting can increase this good fat by as much as 10 percent. Saturated fats, mostly in meat products, increase LDL cholesterol. Limit your intake to 7 percent of your total daily calories. Make fruits, vegetables and whole-grains the heart of your diet. These absorb excess LDL cholesterol, preventing plaque formation. Finally, increase your physical activity. This lowers your LDL and can increase your HDL as much as 5 percent in two months if you have been sedentary. Aim for 30 minutes a day of moderate activity such as walking, riding your bike or swimming.
Prevention
Your doctor can effectively treat poor cholesterol levels, but he must know about them first. Cholesterol itself has no symptoms, so visit your doctor regularly and report any changes in your health. Supply him with a complete medical history, including that of your family. However, the most important step you can take is having a cholesterol test once you become 20 years old, and then once every five years. This blood test detects all levels of cholesterol in your body, allowing your doctor to determine your risk of developing heart disease. If your risk is high, you may require more frequent testing; this is at the discretion of your doctor.
