Heart Problems

Factors Relating to Heart Problems:

Heart monitorThere are many factors surrounding heart disease, but suffice it say that in Australia, it is the number one killer, being responsible for some 34% of all registered deaths. This page is only designed to be a brief overview of this very extensive subject, insofar as looking at a major contributing factor, which is that of cholesterol levels. The general term known as heart disease, covers a wide range of problems associated with the heart and blood vessels. However, one substantial fact is that the majority of heart attacks are caused by blocked arteries or similar problems and the same goes for strokes. The Australian Bureau of Statistics has a huge amount of information on this subject.

High blood cholesterol levels are a major factor in regard to heart attacks and heart disease in general. Basically, cholesterol is described as a waxy kind of fat, which is an essential component in human membrane structure and hormonal systems. However, high levels of cholesterol in the blood, have been linked to blocked arteries and heart disease, by clogging up the arteries and restricting blood flow. This is exacerbated by the fact that many people’s diets are composed of a high intake of saturated fat.

Measuring blood pressureThose people with obesity or an overweight condition are most likely to have a far greater incidence of high cholesterol levels compared to those of normal weight. In fact some 10% of overweight persons have high blood cholesterol, compared to about 6% of those with normal weight. Having said this, it should be also recognised that high cholesterol levels have a significant effect on increasing the risk factor for having a stroke. Again, the Australian Bureau of Statistics has a number of valuable reports on this aspect.

It is important to note that there are two types of cholesterol, one being the HDL or “good” cholesterol and the other being the LDL or “bad’ cholesterol. The blood cholesterol reading is in fact a combination of the two, however this combination can be defined as a ‘normal’ or acceptable level. To get an exact HDL / LDL reading, it is necessary to get a full blood test to determine the individual levels. Suffice it to say that the combined reading does provide adequate information for general monitoring of cholesterol levels.

It is now generally accepted that more than 50% of adult Australians have a blood cholesterol level, which is about or above 90% of the accepted minimum level. This means that those persons 10% lower than the normal minimum level, may well be in the danger zone, depending on age, weight and other factors. The Better Health Channel has a lot of interesting facts and suggestions about cholesterol levels and how to lower them.

The self-testing and monitoring of cholesterol levels is now a very important issue for those who are in this danger zone of high cholesterol, as the risk factors of heart attack and stroke are significantly increased. The EasyMate range of multi-function monitoring systems, now provide an easy, quick, accurate and cost effective method of monitoring these levels in a home environment.

 

 

Copyright © Bioptik Systems