CHOLESTEROL AND CARDIAC ARREST

More than one million persons die of cardiac arrest each year in the USA.  It  has been scientifically proven that the majority of these persons suffer from high cholesterol levels which in turn lead to arteriosclerosis and  diseases of the heart and coronary arteries.

Causes of High Cholesterol:

Undoubtedly there is a relationship between leading an unhealthy life-style and the increased levels of cholesterol such as cooking methods, kinds of food, lack of sports, excessive obesity, smoking or drinking alcoholic beverages etc.

In certain cases, high cholesterol is hereditary and in other cases it is the result of an organic disease such as hypertension,  kidney and liver diseases or hypothyroidism.

Causes of Low Cholesterol:

Usually low cholesterol is a sign of good health.  However, it may also point to malnutrition, tumors or hyperthyroidism.  Also, certain drugs such as cortisone cause a decrease in cholesterol levels.

Measuring Blood Lipids:

This requires a 12 hour of fasting except for water only.

It is always advisable to measure lipids annually as part of the annual laboratory check up.  In case of  increased lipids, it is advisable to re-test each 4 weeks to check response to treatment, then once every 3 months thereafter.

Cholesterol is divided into 2 basic types:  Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL) and High Density Lipoproteins (HDL) which prevents the sedimentation of cholesterol and reduces its formation on artery walls.

When a laboratory is requested to test lipids, this means measuring both kinds of cholesterol as well as triglycerides.  From these tests risk factors can be determined i.e. the chances that this patient will be afflicted with a heart disease.  This is known as Risk Ratio.

Recently, scientists have found that 31-42% of  patients suffer cardiac arrest due to increased Homocystiene in the blood, which in turn destroys blood vessels.

Normal Ranges of  Blood Lipids:   

Cholesterol:  Ranges differ according to age.  The acceptable range for persons under age 30 is 50-180 mg.%.  This range rises to 200 mg.% for persons over 30.

HDL:                  From 35-120 mg.%
LDL:                   From 65-160 mg.%
Tryglicerides :  From 35-185 mg.%
Homocystiene: More than 15 microgram/mll.

What are the dangerous indicators of increased risk of diseases of the heart and coronary arteries?

1- Age and gender:  Males are more prone than females.  Notably, at a lower age in males (beginning at 45) than in females (beginning at 55).

2- Cooking with saturated fats.

3- Rich diet (almonds, ducks, pigeons, shrimps, cheeses, potato chips, mayonnaise).

4- Chain smoking

5- Obesity and lack of sports

6- Hypertension, kidney, liver and thyroid  diseases.

7- Heredity factors

8- Serious lab indicators:

HDL                 less than 35 mg.%
LDL                 more than 160 mg.%
Homocystiene  more than 15 microgram/mll.