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Know Your Risk Factors
Everyone should be concerned about cholesterol. But some people need to pay closer attention to it than others. If you have any of the following risk factors, you may be at greater risk for cholesterol problems. Find out what you can do about them.
Risk Factor #1: Smoking
Smoking exposes you to harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke. This can damage your blood vessels, triggering the buildup of plaque. Smoking can also make it more difficult for you to exercise. Exercise naturally lowers cholesterol levels. There are plenty of resources to help you quit.
Risk Factor #2: Obesity
Obesity is linked to an increase in cholesterol levels. It also contributes to other health problems, including high blood pressure and diabetes. Together, these conditions dramatically increase your risk for heart disease. Losing even just 5 to 10 percent of your body weight can help.
Risk Factor #3: Age
There’s not much we can do about our age. But it’s important to know that cholesterol levels tend to increase as we get older. This is especially true for men ages 45 and older, and women ages 55 and older. Adopting healthy lifestyle habits, like regular exercise, can help keep cholesterol under control.
Risk Factor #4: Family History of Heart Disease
If heart disease runs in your family, you have a greater chance of developing it, too. And since high cholesterol is a major contributor to heart disease, it’s especially important that you focus on good cholesterol health. Ask your doctor how often you should get your cholesterol levels checked.
Risk Factor #5: Diabetes
People with diabetes are more prone to high cholesterol. If you have diabetes, talk with your doctor about steps to lower your LDL cholesterol. Doing so can reduce your cardiovascular complications by up to 50 percent.
Risk Factor #6: High Blood Pressure
Just like high cholesterol, high blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease. When you have both conditions at the same time, it can greatly increase your risk for heart attack and stroke. High blood pressure often causes no symptoms. Find out if yours is high by getting checked regularly.
Take Control
If you have any of these risk factors, ask your health care provider to check your cholesterol levels. The more risk factors you have, the greater control over your cholesterol you’ll need to achieve. Your health care provider can help you develop a plan.
