Bad cholesterol causes heart attack risk?
Dr. Balbir Singh, Head of Cardiology at Max Hospital, Saket (New Delhi, India) - said that bad cholesterol, also known as LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein), is a type of cholesterol in the blood that can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
LDL is called "bad cholesterol" because when there is too much LDL in the blood, it can build up into plaque on artery walls, causing narrowing and making it more difficult for blood to flow through the blood vessels.
This condition is called atherosclerosis, which can lead to serious problems such as angina, stroke, and heart attacks.
Additionally, when LDL levels are high, it can increase your risk of heart disease and other health problems.
How to lower LDL?
Dr. Balbir Singh advises that you should start lipid-lowering medication therapy early along with aggressive diet and lifestyle changes as advised by your cardiologist.
Eat plenty of fiber-rich foods: Green vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans are rich in soluble fiber, which helps lower LDL levels by preventing cholesterol from being absorbed into the body.
Limit saturated and trans fats: Saturated fats (found in red meat, whole milk, and full-fat dairy products) and trans fats (found in processed foods and deep-fried foods) raise LDL levels. Instead, choose unsaturated fats found in olive oil, canola oil, and nuts.
Eat foods containing omega-3: Omega-3 found in salmon, mackerel, chia seeds, flax seeds and walnuts helps reduce bad cholesterol levels and improve heart health.
Eat foods with sterols and stanols: Plant sterols and stanols can help reduce the absorption of cholesterol from foods. Foods such as sterol-fortified margarines, orange juice, or processed foods can help lower LDL.
In addition, you also need to increase physical activity, maintain a reasonable weight and use medication (if necessary).
“If diet and lifestyle changes are not enough to lower LDL, your doctor may prescribe cholesterol-lowering medications such as statins, ezetimibe, or other medications to help lower LDL levels,” suggests Dr. Balbir Singh.
By combining these measures, you can significantly reduce your LDL levels and protect your heart health.
