Antigo Times

Top Menu

  • E-Editions
  • Contact Us

Main Menu

  • News
    • Business
  • Covid 19
  • Opinion
  • Courts
  • Arts & Ent
  • Sports
    • Sports News
    • High School Sports Scores
  • Classifieds
    • View Ads
    • Place Ads
  • Legal Ads
    • Our Legals
    • Statewide
  • Obits
  • Video
  • Best of 2022
  • E-Editions
  • Contact Us

logo

Antigo Times

  • News
    • Business
  • Covid 19
  • Opinion
  • Courts
  • Arts & Ent
  • Sports
    • Sports News
    • High School Sports Scores
  • Classifieds
    • View Ads
    • Place Ads
  • Legal Ads
    • Our Legals
    • Statewide
  • Obits
  • Video
  • Best of 2022
Health
Home›Health›Lifestyle Changes Key to Bringing Down Cholesterol

Lifestyle Changes Key to Bringing Down Cholesterol

By Antigo Times
September 22, 2022
0
0

FROM ASPIRUS HEALTH

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the number one leading cause of death in the U.S. More than one million Americans have a heart attack or stroke each year and 800,000 die of heart disease. High blood cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease, causing heart attack and stroke.

Aspirus Health recognizes September’s National Cholesterol Education Month as an opportunity to encourage people to take the necessary steps to prevent or reduce high cholesterol.

“The way we live has a big effect on our cholesterol levels. Even if you’re taking cholesterol-lowering medications to manage it, you still need to eat well and be active,” says Aspirus Cardiologist Dr. Daniel Krause. “Moderate lifestyle changes can make a significant impact.”

According to the AHA and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), these healthy lifestyle choices can help prevent or treat high cholesterol:

Make healthy eating choices.

Limit foods that are high in saturated or trans fats, sugar, and sodium (salt), as eating lots of foods like this may contribute to high cholesterol and related conditions, such as heart disease. Choose foods high in fiber and in unsaturated fats, such as fresh fruits, veggies, and nuts.

Maintain a healthy weight.

Excess body fat affects how your body uses cholesterol and slows down your body’s ability to remove LDL cholesterol from your blood. The combination raises your risk of heart disease and stroke. Talk to your provider about what a healthy weight is for you and work with them on a plan to help you reach or maintain a healthy weight.

Get regular physical activity.

Physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight and lower your cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Healthy adults aged 18 to 64 should do 30 minutes of moderately intense exercise five days a week and do strengthening exercises twice a week. Older adults may need to adjust the intensity of their activity and add flexibility and balance exercises if they are at risk for falls.

Quit smoking.

Smoking damages your blood vessels, speeds up the hardening of the arteries, and greatly increases your risk for heart disease. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, quitting will lower your risk for heart disease.

Limit alcohol.

Too much alcohol can raise cholesterol levels and the levels of triglycerides, a type of fat in the blood. Men should have no more than two drinks per day, and women should have no more than one.

The AHA recommends that all adults age 20 and up should have their cholesterol tested every four to six years, and more frequently for people with cardiovascular disease risk factors. Talk to your primary care provider if you think you may be due for a cholesterol check. To learn more about heart care services at Aspirus, visit www.aspirus.org/heart-vascular-services.

Previous Article

Area High Schools October Sports Calendar

Next Article

Waterfowl Hunters: Wear Your Life Jackets

Related articles More from author

  • BusinessHealth

    Health Insurance Coverage: A Message from the USDA

    January 5, 2015
    By Dan Turczynski, Editor
  • HealthNews

    Renewing disabled parking cards made easier

    April 15, 2015
    By Antigo Times
  • HealthNews

    Celebrate World Red Cross Day by giving blood

    April 15, 2015
    By Antigo Times
  • Health

    Langlade County Healthy Ways: Guide to Workout Nutrition

    April 30, 2015
    By Antigo Times
  • HealthNews

    Red Cross, Nexcare Bandages and supermodel Niki Taylor celebrate World Blood Donor Day

    June 9, 2015
    By Antigo Times
  • HealthNews

    Red Cross To Install Smoke Alarms, Teach People Fire Safety In Rothschild & Two Wausau Neighborhoods

    June 12, 2015
    By Antigo Times

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Copyright © 2020 Multi Media Channels LLC.
All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied, modified or adapted without the prior written consent of Multi Media Channels LLC.
×