Cardiologist names ways to keep cholesterol in check

Heart diseases are directly related to the level of cholesterol in the blood, as well as the presence of atherosclerotic plaques that clog blood vessels and prevent direct blood circulation, said Sergei Provatorov, chief researcher of the Russian Ministry of Health, chief cardiologist of the Central Federal District. He told Izvestia how to control cholesterol levels.

According to him, it is important to undergo an annual examination for blood cholesterol levels. To control it is enough to take a biochemical blood test every year. With the results, you should definitely visit the therapist, who will study the tests and may prescribe a lipidogram to further check the ratio of "bad" and "good" cholesterol in the blood.

"Cholesterol is directly linked to cardiovascular disease. The particles that carry it in the blood - lipoproteins - are divided into two subspecies: high and low density, or, conventionally speaking, "good" and "bad" cholesterol. The more a person has "bad" cholesterol, the higher the probability that it will begin to accumulate in the inner layers of the vascular wall, forming atherosclerotic plaques. They, in turn, lead to coronary heart disease, heart attacks and strokes," the expert explained.

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In addition, proper nutrition and sports have a positive impact on health, said the doctor. But it is necessary to take into account some peculiarities: to maintain cholesterol in the norm it is necessary to reduce the consumption of products containing "bad" cholesterol. You should limit the use of egg yolks, offal, fatty varieties of meat. It is better to boil, stew, bake and grill. Meat should be cut off all excess fat before heat treatment, and remove the skin from poultry meat, he advised.

In addition, yoga, exercise and running help to clean the blood from atherogenic lipoproteins. The expert emphasized: in order to get the right amount of activity, it is not necessary to exercise intensively. A thirty-minute walk in the fresh air is enough.

"It is important that about 80% of cholesterol the body produces itself, and only 20% of a person receives with food - so only proper diet and exercise is not enough for many patients to maintain adequate cholesterol levels," shared Provatorov.

The expert also explained that cholesterol is not the only risk factor for atherosclerotic diseases. The formation of plaques is influenced by age - the older a person is, the higher the risk of their development, as well as gender - because of the difference in hormonal background in men the risk of plaque formation comes 10 years earlier than in women, on average in 58-60 years. There is also a heredity factor - if any of the relatives had a heart attack or stroke at an early age, it is important to control the level of "bad" cholesterol from childhood. In some people, hypercholesterolemia is hereditary in nature. Therefore, the best way to protect yourself from possible risks is to take an annual cholesterol test as part of a medical examination.

Earlier, on November 15, urologist andrologist of the center of reproductive health "SM-Clinica" Artur Bogatyrev told "Izvestia" about what products pose the greatest danger to the kidneys. According to the specialist, people with kidney disease should avoid products containing large amounts of oxalates, such as spinach, nuts, French fries, chips, beets, sorrel, bran and chocolate. They should also limit their intake of foods high in potassium, particularly avocados.