Читать книгу Predicting Heart Failure - Группа авторов - Страница 66

The lipid fraction of the human body is made up of cholesterol, triglycerides, and high-density lipoproteins (HDLs). Elevated cholesterol levels in the human body can increase the chances of developing heart diseases and stroke. The cholesterol level of a human body is measured by drawing blood samples. The cholesterol level examination generates the measurement of four types of fats (lipids) in the blood: total cholesterol; HDL cholesterol; low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol; and triglycerides. The overall amount of cholesterol in the blood is known as total cholesterol. HDL cholesterol is known as the “good” cholesterol as it aids in the removal of LDL cholesterol, allowing arteries to remain open and blood to circulate freely. A higher amount of HDL in the blood lowers the rate of heart disease risk [10]. LDL cholesterol is known as “bad” cholesterol since a higher amount of LDL in blood induces atherosclerosis, which is the accumulation of fatty deposits (plaques) in arteries. These plaques may hinder blood flow and cause a heart attack or stroke. Therefore, a higher LDL level represents a higher risk of heart disease [11]. Triglycerides are a type of fat that occurs naturally in the body. Extra calories consumed over the total energy expenditure of a body get converted into triglycerides. These triglycerides are contained in fat cells and are later released into the blood when the body requires energy to do any activity. The elevated level of triglycerides in the blood is due to many reasons, such as obesity, thyroid or liver disease, and genetic conditions. High triglyceride levels are linked to the increased risk of heart disease [12]. A bad diet that includes a significant amount of butter, oil, and excess sugar can cause an increase in the level of triglycerides in the body. Eating a lot of foods rich in carbohydrates or sugar and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol lead to high triglycerides levels in the human body. Apart from food, the main cause of increased triglyceride levels is a sedentary lifestyle. Certain types of food should be avoided or limited if the patient has high triglyceride levels: the intake of starchy vegetables like corn and peas should be limited, while canned fish or beef packed in oil should be avoided. Baked foods that contain a high level of saturated fat should also be avoided and the consumption of butter or margarine should be limited or replaced with olive oil. Lean meats should be preferred over high fat meats such as beef or pork. Moreover, all processed meats are bad for patients with higher levels of triglycerides and should be avoided.