Guide To The Different Types Of Cholesterol

Benefits And Risks Of Cholesterol

An understanding of the benefits and risks of cholesterol can help patients in planning appropriate lifestyle modifications and exploring possible medication options. Cholesterol is used by the body in the production of all of the sex hormones, including estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone. The body also needs cholesterol to properly use vitamin D, and it is used by serotonin receptors in the brain. It is crucial in the production of the bile salts that support digestion and the absorption of dietary fats, and it aids in the repair of damaged cells. However, excessive cholesterol contributes to hardening and narrowing of the arteries, and this can cause circulation problems that increase a patient's risk for heart attacks, strokes, and early death. A study conducted in Framingham, Massachusetts followed the entire population of that town for fifty years. At the thirty-year mark, eighty-five percent of patients with total cholesterol of 180mg/dL or less were still living. In contrast, only sixty-seven percent of the subjects with total cholesterol readings of 260mg/dL or greater were still alive. In a study of young men in their twenties and thirties, the risk of a fatal heart attack was found to be five times greater for individuals with total cholesterol readings of 300mg/dL or more than it was for patients with total cholesterol levels under 200mg/dL.

Discover some cholesterol management tips next.