Controlar la hipercolesterolemia, básico para una buena salud
Written by:Cholesterol is a necessary substance for the realization and regulation of functions such as the formation of bile acids or hormones. However, a high blood cholesterol level is also a risk factor for certain heart diseases.
Hypercholesterolemia occurs when the presence of cholesterol in the blood is above normal standards. This increase is associated with coronary problems, diet, sex and lifestyle.
Causes of hypercholesterolemia
Hypercholesterolemia can occur due to several causes. For example, due to bad eating habits, hereditary causes or liver diseases.
Bad eating habits with an abundant intake of animal fats cause the body to consume previously other nutrients favoring the presence of cholesterol accumulated in the arteries.
The family or hereditary cause is also one of the most significant in this type of pathology. Hypercholesterolemia is caused by a genetic defect that fails to eliminate cholesterol so that these are increasing more and more.
Another cause of hypercholesterolemia is that caused by liver disease .
Types of hypercholesterolemia
Two types of hypercholesterolemia can be distinguished according to the origin or the cause that produces it: primary and secondary.
Primary hypercholesterolemias such as dyslipidemias are caused by different problems with cholesterol and inherited genetic factors.
Secondary hypercholesterolemias : this type of hypercholesterolemia is associated with hepatic, renal and endocrine pathologies.
Clinical tests to diagnose hypercholesterolemia
Hypercholesterolemia must be diagnosed by a Family Medicine specialist who will perform the screening and establish the blood cholesterol level.
For primary hypercholesterolemia, it will be necessary to detect which factors influence the increase of cholesterol levels (eating habits, family cause, liver diseases or administration of some drug) that favor the development of coronary pathologies.
For secondary hypercholesterolemia, a urinalysis will be performed by reviewing the composition of glucose, alkaline phosphatase and thyrotropin.
How to prevent hypercholesterolemia with good habits
The best way to prevent or control hypercholesterolemia is to maintain good eating habits and moderate exercise about three times a week. The combination of the two actions will contribute to the increase of HDL cholesterol and will reduce the LDL cholesterol.
