HDL Cholesterol
HDL is called “good cholesterol”. Countless scientific studies have shown that a low HDL level is associated with an increased risk of suffering a heart attack in the future. In men, the level of good cholesterol in the blood must be greater than 40 mg / dl and women must be greater than 50 mg / dl. The lower HDL level in the blood, the higher the cardiovascular risk of the individual.
Blood flows from the vein through the needle and collected in a syringe or bottle. The sample is sent to the laboratory for analysis. Blood flow stops and the body’s tissues die without oxygen and nutrients. If it happens in the heart – it causes heart attacks and if it occurs in the brain – that causes cerebral stroke.
Blood cholesterol is mainly of two types: LDL and HDL cholesterol. Both types of cholesterol are produced by our body to perform specific functions and are always present in our blood.
Good cholesterol is also called high density lipoprotein. This particular type of cholesterol contains more protein than lipids. HDL lipids tends to carry cholesterol from arteries and return it to the liver where it is eventually eliminated as waste. Good cholesterol actually scrub veins and arteries, removing LDL, send it back to the liver for processing. But how do we raise HDL cholesterol levels?
HDL is a protein that has been studied extensively and is still being studied. Today we know that there are factors that increase the HDL in the blood and others that decrease it.
Increases HDL – Exercise and moderate alcohol consumption.
Decreases HDL – Obesity and cigarette use.
People with low levels of good cholesterol, must change their lifestyle to meet the above parameters (essentially increasing your physical activity, quitting smoking, maintaining ideal weight and consume alcohol in moderation – 1 or 2 glasses of wine a day). Unfortunately there are individuals, perhaps by their genetic composition, can not maintain an appropriate level of HDL in the blood despite having an excellent lifestyle. These individuals may benefit from the use of certain medications.
1. Niacin – HDL increases 20% to 35%. The most commonly reported side effect is a kind of warmth (flushing), mainly in the head. This effect can be minimized by taking aspirin in combination with the drug.
2. Fibric acid derivatives (gemfibrozil) – Increases HDL by 10% to 25%. May cause gastrointestinal reflux or a generalized inflammation in the muscles of the body.
3. Statins (Zocor, Lipitor, Crestor etc.) – These drugs have minimal impact on the level of HDL.
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