"Too much cholesterol and it's scary"... What is the worst eating habit that damages blood vessels?

My mom and my husband both have high cholesterol...

My mother is still making an effort to improve her eating habits...

The groom still hasn't gotten his act together...

I think I need to nag about fixing my eating habits ㅠ_ㅠ

Sigh... My husband, who is taking medication for high cholesterol, still isn't getting his act together... I'm worried.

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Hyperlipidemia - Dyslipidemia, the shortcut to damaging the heart and blood vessels

The causes of dyslipidemia include high-calorie, high-fat, and high-carbohydrate intake, alcohol consumption, smoking, stress, lack of exercise, and aging. To reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease caused by dyslipidemia, managing LDL cholesterol is essential. [Photo = Getty Images Bank]

 

 

 

According to data from the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, more than 3.04 million people visited hospitals for hyperlipidemia (dyslipidemia) in 2023. This is a 38.4% increase compared to 2019 (2.19 million people). In the same period, the increase rates for hypertension and diabetes were 14.6% and 19.2%, respectively, indicating a much faster growth rate. This underscores the seriousness, as these are major risk factors for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Let's revisit vascular health.

"Why are there so many people with both high blood pressure and diabetes?"... It causes blood vessels to deteriorate even faster.

The reason why hyperlipidemia is frightening is because it causes cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases that can threaten life and leave disabilities. According to data from the Korean Society of Lipid and Arteriosclerosis, 72.1% of people with hypertension also have dyslipidemia. Among those with diabetes, the figure is even higher at 87.1%. When hypertension damages blood vessels and diabetes promotes inflammation, triglycerides and cholesterol more easily adhere to the blood vessels, increasing the risk of vascular disease.

Hyperlipidemia vs. Dyslipidemia... The shortcut to cardiovascular disease

Hyperlipidemia refers to a condition where total cholesterol, bad LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides are elevated in the blood. When good HDL cholesterol decreases in addition, it is called dyslipidemia. Although hyperlipidemia is a common term, dyslipidemia is a more accurate medical term. When dyslipidemia occurs, it can lead to or worsen cardiovascular diseases. Ultimately, dyslipidemia is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Dyslipidemia → changes in lipid levels → atherosclerosis → progression to cardiovascular disease.

High-calorie, high-fat, high-carbohydrate diet, alcohol consumption, smoking, stress, lack of exercise

The causes of dyslipidemia include high-calorie, high-fat, and high-carbohydrate intake, alcohol consumption, smoking, stress, lack of exercise, and aging. Managing LDL cholesterol is essential to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Even when LDL cholesterol, which causes vascular aging, accumulates, there are no symptoms. It is often discovered incidentally during blood tests in health checkups. Do not be complacent just because hyperlipidemia is common; prompt treatment is necessary.

Women experience significant changes in cholesterol levels during menopause... "Pay attention to your blood vessels too"

When gaining weight, the prevalence of dyslipidemia increases, and losing weight lowers cholesterol and triglycerides. Reducing intake of saturated fats such as meat fat and exercising to burn calories are necessary. Exercise has the effect of lowering total cholesterol and increasing HDL cholesterol. Alcohol consumption raises triglyceride levels. Smoking increases total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol, while decreasing HDL cholesterol. Quitting smoking raises HDL cholesterol and reduces the incidence and mortality of cardiovascular diseases.

Women experience significant changes in cholesterol levels before and after menopause. The female hormone estrogen increases HDL cholesterol levels and lowers LDL cholesterol levels, protecting blood vessels. However, after menopause, this hormone decreases sharply. Middle-aged women should pay special attention to vascular health during menopause.