By:Paul Graham Everybody knows that cholesterol has much to do with heart disease. Do not worry too much about the dangers of high cholesterol. Knowing what cholesterol is and how it affects you will undoubtedly help you avoid high cholesterol. 1. Cholesterol And Heart Disease Your blood cholesterol is a major factor in the risk of suffering from heart disease. In fact, the higher your cholesterol level, the greater the chances you have of getting a heart attack. Heart disease is the leading cause of death among men and women in the United States. Every year more than a million Americans suffer heart attacks, and half of that number die from heart disease. 2. How Does Cholesterol Cause Heart Disease? When your body has too much cholesterol, it builds up in the walls of your arteries. This causes your arteries to harden. Your arteries, as a result of this, narrow down or get blocked. This reduces the flow of blood through your body. Oxygen is carried throughout your body by blood. If an inadequate supply of oxygen to your heart occurs because of reduced blood flow, you may experience chest pains. And if the blood supply is completely cut off, the result is a heart attack. Unfortunately, high blood cholesterol has no symptoms. So it is hard to gauge the status of your arteries. Whether or not you suffer from heart disease, lowering your cholesterol is important to maintain good health. 3. What Affects Cholesterol Levels? I. Diet - Oils, Eggs, Margarine and Butter - Saturated fat - Fatty foods II. Weight Being overweight is also a factor for heart disease. There is a correlation between weight and cholesterol levels. Following that, losing weight can help lower cholesterol levels. III. Physical Activity If you are not physically active and have a sedementary lifestyle, you have a greater risk for heart disease. Regular exercise can help lower cholesterol level, and has many untold physical benefits. Consult a doctor about a training regimen that suits you. Overexertion is equally bad for the health. IV. Age and Gender Cholesterol levels rise as men and women get older. Before menopause, women have lower total cholesterol levels than men of the same age. After menopause these levels have been observed to rise. V. Heredity High cholesterol levels are sometimes inherited from your ancestors. If your family has a history of heart disease you may want to consult a doctor regarding possible preventive medicine. 4. Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) You can lower your cholesterol through the help of TLC. It is a set of activities that can help lower your LDL (the bad part of cholesterol). The main parts of TLC are: I. Diet - Eat low-fat, low-cholesterol meals - Eat fruits, vegetables and high-fiber grains - High fiber foods are very effective at ‘sweeping’ away cholesterol II. Weight Management - Don't be overweight - Consult a chart to see the recommended weight value for your height, gender, and age - Scan your body to determine its fat percentage. Healthy bodies will contain fat! III. Physical Activity - Exercise for 30 minutes per day - Always consult a medical professional regarding this regimen - Health is wealth Article Source: http://www.dailynewarticles.com For more great cholesterol related articles and resources check out http://Information-Cholesterol More Articles from Health Category: Keep A First Aid Kit Handy In Case Of An Emergency Annoying Inducing Mishaps Better Libido And Performance With Sexual Enhancement Herbs Will Depression Lead to Chronic Depression Problems? Mold Air Purifier:A Seasonal Threat School Nurses To Prescribe The Pill Can You Really Use Hypnosis To Quit Smoking? Are You Capable Of Learning Self Hypnosis? Birthing Around the World The Good And The Bad And The Basics Of Cholesterol Weight Loss Tips That Help You Create A Thin, Yet Healthy Body Going Up In Smoke Colon Cleanse: Why, How And When? What Is HEPA In An Air Purifier Cellulite Treatment Guide