Look to the person on your left and to your right. Two out of three adults have high cholesterol. One of those two out of three people may be you. It’s Cholesterol Education Month!
High cholesterol or high LDL is the “bad” cholesterol and it’s a big problem here in Missouri and across the country. So what is it, how do you get it and what’s the worst that can happen if you have it? Those are all good questions that Medi-Rents & Sales, Inc. will try to answer this month.
What is cholesterol? Cholesterol is not always bad and you will never have a zero cholesterol reading. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that your body actually needs. Your body needs some cholesterol and fat. Fat provides a great source of energy as well as a great storage unit for that energy. Fat is an important part of cell membranes as it helps govern what gets into your body’s cells and what comes out. Your body uses cholesterol to make estrogen, testosterone, vitamin D, and other vital compounds. So no, it’s not all bad, but…
Having too much cholesterol in your blood is bad as it can build up on the walls of your arteries like a clogged drain. These clogged arteries can lead to heart disease and strokes which as we all know can lead to many more serious health problems and even death.
Not all cholesterol is bad. As we said, your body needs a certain amount. There are two different kinds of cholesterol; high density lipoprotein (HDL) commonly called “good” cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol. When people talk about high cholesterol, you can be sure they are talking about “bad” LDL cholesterol.
Medi-Rents & Sales, Inc. has a lot more to share with you. As one of the area’s premier home medical providers, Medi-Rents & Sales, Inc. is always looking out for your good health.