Causes High Cholesterol In Women

What causes high cholesterol in women?

Cholesterol affects women differently than men in general

High triglycerides are another type of blood lipid that can also mean you are at risk for heart disease, liver disease and diabetes.

Elevated levels of either substance in the blood are a concern for both men and women, but usually women's risk manifests itself differently.

This is a look at how high cholesterol and triglycerides affect women, the causes, and what you can do to lower levels.

What is normal cholesterol?

The normal blood test to determine your total cholesterol is called a lipid profile, and these data come from measurements of HDL, LDL and triglycerides, so what should be normal cholesterol?

For women, ideal LDL levels should be below 100 mg/DL, HDL levels should be above 50 mg/DL, and ideally, triglycerides below 150 mg/DL, adding all three together for a total cholesterol level of 200 mg/DL, which is ideal.

Do women's cholesterol levels go down after menopause?

After menopause, a woman should always expect her cholesterol levels to rise. This is not only because LDL tends to increase at this stage, but also because the average post-menopausal woman gains 8-10 pounds and often becomes more sedentary. The sooner you address your cholesterol, the better, so you can be prepared for the changes that are coming.

Preventing High Cholesterol

Regularly monitoring your cholesterol levels can also help prevent your cholesterol levels from getting too high or too low. Generally, healthy adults should have their cholesterol checked every four to six years, but your doctor may require more frequent checks depending on your age, overall health status and other risk factors. There are other ways to prevent high cholesterol

What my cholesterol should be at age 60?

When it builds up over time, it can lead to a heart attack or stroke when you're in your fifties. If you are chronically high in cholesterol, you are more likely to develop heart disease. One study showed that those with high levels lasting 11 years or more had a twofold increased risk compared to those with high levels lasting 11 years or more.

Can high cholesterol be prevented or avoided?

Making healthy food choices and exercising are two ways to lower your risk of developing high cholesterol.

Eat fewer foods that contain saturated fats. Choose healthier fats. This includes lean meats, avocados, nuts and low-fat dairy products. Avoid foods that contain trans fats. Look for foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These include salmon, herring, walnuts and almonds. Some egg brands contain omega-3s.

Exercise can be simple. Go for a walk. Take a yoga class. Ride your bike to work. You can even join a team sport. Aim for 30 minutes of activity a day.

What foods increase LDL cholesterol levels?

High cholesterol in women: what you need to know
Your diet plays an important role in determining your cholesterol levels. Foods that are high in trans fats, saturated fats and salt are especially dangerous. These include

• Red meat
• Doughnuts, cookies, thin crackers and other baked goods
• Fast foods
• Skin-on chicken
• Cured or processed meats

Many of the foods you find in stores may contain trans and saturated fats and be high in sodium, so be sure to read the nutritional information carefully before you buy.

What health problems can result from high cholesterol?

If you have a lot of plaque deposits in your arteries, the plaque areas may rupture. This causes a blood clot to form on the surface of the plaque. If the clot becomes large enough, it can mostly or completely block blood flow in the coronary arteries.

If the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle is reduced or blocked, this can lead to angina or a heart attack.

Plaque can also build up in other arteries in your body, including the arteries that carry oxygen-rich blood to your brain and extremities. This can lead to problems such as carotid artery disease, stroke and peripheral artery disease.

Why I need to lower my cholesterol

The evidence strongly suggests that high cholesterol increases the risk of

• Narrowing of arteries
• Transient ischemic attacks, often called "mini-strokes"
• Peripheral artery disease

This is because cholesterol builds up in the walls of your arteries, restricting the flow of blood to your heart, brain and other parts of your body. It also increases the risk of a blood clot forming somewhere in your body.

As cholesterol levels in your blood rise, your risk of developing coronary heart disease also increases. This can cause pain in your chest or arms during stress or physical activity.

Home remedies to lower cholesterol naturally

In some cases, you can lower your cholesterol levels without taking medication. For example, eating a nutritious diet, exercising regularly, avoiding smoking and testing your cholesterol at home may be enough.

Some people also claim that certain herbs and nutritional supplements may help lower cholesterol levels. For example, some claim that
Ground flaxseed

However, the level of evidence to support these claims varies. In addition, the Food and Drug Administration has not approved any of these products for the treatment of high cholesterol. More research is needed to see if they can help treat this condition.

Always talk to your doctor before taking any herbal or nutritional supplements. In some cases, they may interact with other medicines you are taking.
You cannot control the genetic risk factors for high cholesterol. However, lifestyle factors can be controlled.

To reduce your risk of developing high cholesterol:

• Eat a nutritious diet that is low in cholesterol and animal fat and high in fiber.
• Avoid excessive alcohol consumption.
• Exercise regularly.
• Avoid smoking.
• Get routine cholesterol screenings as recommended by your doctor. If you are at risk for high cholesterol or coronary heart disease, they may encourage you to have your cholesterol levels tested regularly.

References：

1. High cholesterol - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

2. High Cholesterol Facts | cdc.gov