The Risk Factors for High Cholesterol
You might say that you’re very well learned with the risks of heart disease; especially with the high amount of information that is available on this subject. But risk factors for high cholesterol, are a completely different story altogether. You may be wondering what they are. Perhaps you are wondering what they have to do with you. The first thing that needs to be said is in identifying what they are.
Some are part of your diet such as fast foods, chips, soft drinks, candy bars, refined sugars, butter cream, fried cheese, fried dough, and cotton candy. These are the ones you can control with a great deal less effort than you think. You probably grew up eating these things. They are familiar to you and they are likely your comfort foods. However you should be warned that they will kill you if you let them. Some risk factors for high cholesterol are part of your normal every day lifestyle.
Weight problems, smoking, alcohol abuse, and laziness are all another part of your daily life structure. Some of these are health conditions you did not choose for yourself as they were handed down from your parents. However, they are still there and can destroy you. Diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, hyperthyroidism are just some of the dangers that these foods invoke. Some specific prescription drugs can also destroy you. Blood pressure medicine (such as clonidine and methyldopa), diuretics (water pills), anabolic steroids, beta blockers, and progestins can all cause harmful or even fatal complications. All these risk factors for high cholesterol affect you in different ways, but I assure that they do effect you.
If you want to do something about the risks you face you must first be honest with yourself about what your problem areas are that you face them. This may sound completely obvious to you already, but self-denial is a powerful force. If your diet is too heavy in saturated fats and transfatty acids, you will need to reduce them dramatically. If you do not exercise regularly, you should start because it is never too late. (it doesn’t have to be two hours at the gym every day, just a mere 30-minute walk will suffice). If you take prescribed medications for other conditions, you should consult your doctor. The most important thing is to face the risks and then deal with them.
Lowering your cholesterol doesn’t have to be the most difficult thing you do, it is necessary only that it be a main priority. In lowering your cholesterol, you are guaranteeing that you are working to prevent serious illnesses. You can’t always stop them all together but you can combat them.