Atherogenic coefficient 3 4 which means. Atherogenic coefficient: the norm in the blood, why it is increased, how to lower it. What is the relationship between "good" and "bad" cholesterol?

Many people know that high levels of cholesterol, "bad" lipoproteins, triglycerides, low levels of "good" cholesterol are associated with the development of atherosclerosis. In fact, both the change in the content of lipid fractions and the value of the ratio between them matter.

The atherogenic coefficient is an indicator that reflects the likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases. The calculation of the index is especially important for people who are at risk of myocardial infarction, stroke.

Today, another ratio is increasingly being used: the ratio between total OH cholesterol and HDL. It is believed that it better reflects the likelihood of the disease. However, our doctors still use the atherogenic coefficient to determine the risk of developing atherosclerosis.

Atherogenic coefficient - what is it?

Cholesterol is a fat-like alcohol that is insoluble in water. Therefore, it cannot circulate through the bloodstream on its own. In the blood, cholesterol is in a bound state with complex protein-fat complexes - lipoproteins. There are the following classes of lipoproteins:

"Bad" lipoproteins of low, very low density (LDL, VLDL), the high level of which contributes to the formation of cholesterol plaques;
"Good" high-density lipoproteins HDL, a high concentration of which protects the body from the development of atherosclerosis.

The total amount of all lipoproteins is called total cholesterol (TC).

Atherogenic coefficient (KA) - the ratio of "bad" low, very low density lipoproteins to "good" high density lipoproteins. The higher it is, the stronger the imbalance between useful, harmful protein-fat complexes.

By definition, KA=(VLDL+LDL)/HDL. Not all lipidograms contain an indicator of VLDL. Therefore, more often the determination of the coefficient of atherogenicity is carried out according to the formula: CA \u003d (OH-HDL) / HDL.

Who is shown the delivery of the analysis

CA is part of the standard lipid profile, which also includes total cholesterol, VLDL, LDL, HDL, triglycerides. There are several reasons for this analysis:

Screening studies. Biochemical changes in the blood precede the development of clinical signs. Screening studies can identify markers of the presence of cholesterol plaques even before the onset of characteristic symptoms. Treatment of atherosclerosis at this stage brings the best results. The first blood test is taken at 9-11 years old, the second at 17-21 years old. Adults should be checked regularly every 4-6 years. The atherogenic index is determined more often if a person is at risk of developing atherosclerosis.
Diagnosis of pathologies associated with impaired cholesterol metabolism. If the doctor suspects that the patient has atherosclerosis, he writes out a referral for a lipid profile to confirm the diagnosis, as well as determine the severity of the disease.
Monitoring. Patients with cholesterol plaques regularly take a blood test for cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, as well as their ratio. This helps the doctor evaluate the body's response to treatment, if necessary, adjust the therapy regimen or dose of drugs.

How to properly prepare for an analysis

The coefficient of atherogenicity is sensitive to many external factors. High CA values can be the result of:

pregnancy, cholesterol is not taken before the 6th week;
prolonged fasting;
smoking;
eating food rich in animal fats;
donating blood in a standing position;
therapy with steroids, androgens, corticosteroids.

KA is reduced:

vegetarian diet;

blood donation in the supine position;

taking statins, clofibrate, colchicine, allopurinol, antifungal drugs, bile acid sequestrants, erythromycin, estrogens.

A false-positive result is undesirable, since a non-existent disease in a healthy person will be treated. A false negative is also bad. A patient who needs help will not receive it.

To obtain adequate results, before taking a lipidogram, it is necessary to exclude as much as possible all external factors. To do this, you must follow a few rules:

donate blood in the morning (before 12:00) on an empty stomach. Only water is allowed to drink;
for 1-2 weeks, do not disturb your usual diet;
a day before the test, do not abuse fatty foods, refrain from alcohol;
half an hour before blood sampling, do not smoke, do not exert yourself physically, do not worry;
5 minutes before the study, take a sitting position;

If you are taking any medications or supplements, discuss with your doctor the possibility of temporarily stopping your treatment. If this is not possible, it is worth considering their influence when analyzing the atherogenic index.

Atherogenic coefficient: norm in a blood test

It is known that the level of cholesterol in men and women is not the same. Also, the values of the indicator are influenced by age, in women - by the physiological state. CA is less dependent on gender and age factors, since it reflects not the absolute, but the relative content of individual fractions of lipoproteins. But still there are some differences for men and women.

Norm for women

The risk of developing atherosclerosis in young women is lower than in men. However, they also need to undergo regular examinations. Especially careful should be girls taking oral contraceptives. They are able to increase the amount of cholesterol, LDL.

Norm for men

The atherogenic index in men is slightly higher than in women. The stronger sex is more prone to the development of atherosclerosis, so he needs to be especially attentive to his health.

Reasons for the high index

It is usually impossible to determine the cause of the increased atherogenic coefficient. Atherosclerosis is a chronic disease that develops over 20-30 years. During this time, external, internal stimuli gradually damage the vessels, provoking the formation of cholesterol plaques.

Indicators of lipid metabolism are more sensitive to changes in metabolism, but still not fast enough to be able to name the exact cause.

There are the following factors that can lead to a high coefficient of atherogenicity:

smoking;
age: men over 45, women over 55;
hypertension (blood pressure above 140/90 mm Hg);
obesity;
the presence of close relatives with early coronary heart disease, heart attack, stroke;
diabetes;
the use of excess animal fats;
sedentary lifestyle;
alcohol abuse.

What is the danger of increasing the coefficient?

If the coefficient of atherogenicity is increased, this does not yet indicate that a person has serious problems, especially if the difference between the norm and the result of the analysis is small. This indicator determines the risk of developing cardiovascular complications in the future. It is also not a sign of the presence of cholesterol plaques.

The coefficient of atherogenicity is dangerous in the future. Uncontrolled disorders of fat metabolism contribute to the development of atherosclerosis. Depending on the location, size of plaques, it can lead to:

cardiac pathologies: coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction;
cerebrovascular insufficiency, stroke;
impaired blood supply to the limbs, which is manifested by trophic ulcers, in advanced cases - necrosis of the feet;
dysfunction of internal organs.

How to reduce the coefficient of atherogenicity

With high values of the atherogenic coefficient, the patient needs to undergo an additional examination, as well as reconsider his lifestyle:

quit smoking;
move more;
avoid stress;
review your diet.

Depending on the results of the examination, further treatment may include drug therapy or surgery. - reduce blood viscosity, prevent platelets from sticking together. Prevention of thrombus formation reduces the likelihood of blockage of blood vessels, as well as deterioration of the blood supply to internal organs;

- prescribed to people with high blood pressure. Normalization of pressure helps to remove one of the few damaging factors that act on the vessel constantly.

Surgical treatment consists in excision of the cholesterol plaque, replacement of the damaged vessel. But more often, minimally invasive techniques are used that are minimally traumatic for the body:

shunting - creating an additional path for blood to bypass the cholesterol plaque from an artificial or natural vessel;
stenting - expansion of the narrowed area using a miniature inflatable balloon with subsequent installation of a metal frame inside the artery. It prevents re-constriction of the vessel.

To avoid surgery, you need to get diagnosed on time. In the early stages of atherosclerosis, it is always possible to get by with a revision of the diet, giving up bad habits, and acquiring healthy ones. Progressive disease can be controlled with medication. Usually, the sooner a person reconsiders his lifestyle, the later he will have to start taking pills.

Last update: September 29, 2019

This is an indicator of the likelihood of developing cardiovascular pathologies. This diagnostic method, which reveals cardiovascular diseases, was introduced by Professor A.N. Klimov in 1977. It is the ratio of bad cholesterol to good cholesterol.

Elevated levels of bad cholesterol provokes disruption of blood vessels and threatens the emergence of a large number of various diseases. Bad cholesterol is abbreviated as ANDL.

The formation of APNP in the body occurs as follows:

The food that we eat, especially butter, all types of meat, dairy and sour-milk products, contain carboxylic or otherwise fatty acids.
Once in the human stomach, they react with the digestive enzyme and the bile component - bilirubin.
Further, the breakdown of fatty acids and the formation of glycerol, belonging to the group of trihydric alcohols and cholesterol of lipophilic alcohol, occur.
The result of all reactions is the formation in the small intestine of special fatty acids, chylominirons, it is they who are separated in the liver into bad and good cholesterol.

Normal indicator of the coefficient of atherogenicity

The normal level of cholesterol in the blood varies depending on gender, age, the presence or absence of pregnancy:

Among women a normal indicator of the coefficient of atherogenicity is 2-3.2. Over time, it can increase, for example, in women after 50, the level of KA is higher than in twenty-year-old girls, but it should never go beyond the specified limits, regardless of age.
In men indicators may be slightly higher than in women and range from 2 to 3.5.
In children under the age of 18, the coefficient should not exceed one.
In pregnant women cholesterol level is elevated all nine months. Therefore, during the period of expectation of the child, the procedure for passing the analysis for the coefficient is considered meaningless and is recommended only a few months after the birth.

Causes of deviations from the norm of the coefficient of atherogenicity

An increased level of atherogenicity coefficient can mean the risk of developing or having cardiovascular and other diseases. But in some cases, a high ratio is not a cause for concern.

For example, during pregnancy, as mentioned above, while carrying a baby, the cholesterol level is much higher than expected and is considered the absolute norm.

In most cases, a high coefficient of atherogenicity means a tendency or the presence of a number of diseases.

Usually found in the following pathologies:

Violation of the work of cerebral vessels, such as encephalopathies, strokes and ischemic attacks.
Kidney diseases such as glomerulonephritis and kidney failure.
Cardiovascular diseases.
genetic predispositions. Statistical data speak of the heredity of vascular pathologies. The presence of vascular diseases in relatives is a reason for preventive treatment and prevention of high cholesterol.
Smoking - negatively affects the work of the whole organism, but in particular affects the state of blood vessels. The more cigarettes a person smokes per day, the higher the risk of developing cardiovascular pathologies.
Alcohol.

Alcohol, as well as fatty foods, contributes to the formation of atherosclerosis and plaques. Too frequent use of strong drinks leads to an increase in cholesterol, and the occurrence of vascular disease.

Daily consumption of a small amount of red wine dilates blood vessels and is indicated for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

low cholesterol

Low cholesterol titers can be observed in people with high physical activity and professional athletes.

A reduced atherogenic coefficient does not pose any threat to health, but on the contrary, it indicates a low probability of vascular atherosclerosis.

What is the danger of high cholesterol?

Elevated cholesterol leads to blockage of the arteries and, therefore, circulatory disorders appear, which leads to a deterioration in well-being, dizziness, shortness of breath, and headache.

But external malaise is not the most terrible consequence of blockage of the veins, since a violation of the venous flow sooner or later leads to strokes, coronary heart disease and a number of other heart diseases, such as angina pectoris and myocardial infarction.

How to normalize an indicator

An increased atherogenic coefficient is a serious deviation from the norm, but it is quite correctable.

If, according to the results of the tests, the atherogenic coefficient turned out to be increased, then the attending physician prescribes a number of medications that normalize cholesterol levels.

The most popular drug treatment is statins.

Available in three generations:

Pros of statins- have an antithrombotic effect, are used to prevent atherosclerosis, taking a statin avoids complications such as stroke and heart attack

Cons of statins- very often cause side effects from the central nervous system, such as dizziness, headache, muscle pain.

A nicotinic acid- Available in the form of tablets. It is indicated for atherosclerosis and many other diseases.

Advantages of nicotinic acid:

It is highly effective, in a short time significantly lowers cholesterol levels, as it improves vascular function and thins the blood.
Regular intake of nicotinic acid reduces the risk of heart attacks three times. It also reduces the likelihood of disability and death from cardiovascular pathologies to zero.

Dietary supplements - food supplements, are not medicines, and are sold without a doctor's prescription:

Pros. Most of the time it's completely safe.
Minuses. The effectiveness of most dietary supplements has not been proven.

Get your scores right you can do it on your own with a diet.
Must include in your diet vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables, river fish, limit the consumption of spicy, salty, starchy foods, to enhance the taste, it is recommended to add garlic to food - the strongest antioxidant.
Exclude or limit the use of hormonal drugs.
Women taking oral contraceptives are advised to stop taking it if cholesterol is elevated according to the results of the analysis. To do this, you need to consult with a gynecologist-endocrinologist.
In some cases, stop hormonal drugs is not possible, for example, with autoimmune diseases, for this you need to discuss with your doctor the possibility of reducing the dose of the drug.

Summing up, we can safely say about the high diagnostic efficiency of the analysis for the coefficient of atherogenicity. This indicator helps to identify a wide range of diseases, which means that treatment can be started on time.

It should also be remembered that high cholesterol levels are the result of an unhealthy lifestyle, bad habits and malnutrition and other severe diseases, as well as a consequence of neglect of one’s health and lack of quality timely medical care.

Despite the fact that high cholesterol very often leads to serious diseases, this pathology is easily corrected by adjusting the diet and lifestyle changes for the better, in addition, modern drugs can solve the problem of high cholesterol without any side effects.

Therefore, if you belong to a group of people who are recommended to take an atherogenic coefficient test, then do not delay going to a doctor who will send you for a biochemical blood test and, based on the results, prescribe adequate treatment.

The atherogenic coefficient is a blood indicator, which is the ratio between harmful and beneficial cholesterol. It helps to determine how high the risk of atherosclerotic plaque formation on the walls of blood vessels is. With its help, in the early stages, it is possible to identify abnormalities in the functioning of the thyroid gland and liver.

During normal functioning of the body, the atherogenic coefficient ranges from 2 to 3 units. If the indicator is lower, then the risk of plaque formation on the vessels is practically absent. There is no benchmark here - the norm is calculated for the average person who has a normal weight and regularly plays sports.

The atherogenic coefficient may differ from the coveted level of 2-3 units in cases where a person fully adheres to a healthy lifestyle, his diet is balanced and saturated with useful substances, does not have bad habits or chronic diseases. In such cases, this indicator is usually below the norm.

The atherogenic coefficient is an integral indicator that allows you to determine what is the risk of developing vascular atherosclerosis. To determine the level of CA, the following formula is used (Atherogenic index) = (Total cholesterol - HDL) / HDL).

In order to calculate this value, the specialist needs to know the exact level of the following values:

triglycerides;
total cholesterol;
high density lipoprotein;
Low density lipoprotein;
Very low density lipoprotein;

Reasons for the high coefficient of atherogenicity

If the atherogenic index exceeds 4 units, then cholesterol plaques begin to accumulate on the walls of blood vessels. They are unprocessed cholesterol, which reduces the clearance of channels.

If drug therapy is ignored, such formations provoke the development of thrombosis, which leads to strokes and heart attacks. This indicator can be several times higher than normal, but there is nothing wrong with that.

Your ideal atherogenic coefficient can only be determined by your doctor. It is necessary to assess the individual characteristics of the body, age, weight, the presence of chronic diseases and much more.

To provoke an increase in the coefficient of atherogenicity can:

Reasons for the low atherogenic coefficient

In some cases, the atherogenic coefficient is less than the accepted norm. Typically, this indicator ranges from 1.7-1.9 in healthy women and men who regularly exercise and watch their diet. The lower this ratio, the cleaner and more elastic your blood vessels are.

In addition, this indicator may decrease in cases where the body produces a normal amount of estrogen.

The reason for the low coefficient of atherogenicity may be:

Long-term use of statin drugs for hypercholesterolemia;
Long-term diet, which consists in refusing to eat food with bad cholesterol;
Heavy active sports.

The atherogenic coefficient is an indicator that helps determine the effectiveness of cholesterol-lowering therapy. It helps the doctor to control the course of treatment, cleanse the blood vessels of accumulated toxins and atherosclerotic plaques.

The composition of drugs to reduce this level contains a large number of high-density lipoproteins. They act as an antidote to the amount of bad cholesterol.

If you decide to self-prescribe statin drugs, there is a high risk of developing serious complications. For this reason, in no case do not self-medicate.

With improperly selected therapy, medications reduce not only the level of harmful, but also beneficial cholesterol. If you do not prescribe an effective treatment regimen, the risk of developing serious complications is high.

Formation of the coefficient of atherogenicity

When food enters the body, the liver releases all the fatty acids from it. Subsequently, this mixture enters the gastrointestinal tract, where it is broken down with the help of bilirubin and other liver enzymes. As a result of this exposure, new fatty acids and a small amount of glycerol are formed.

The latter substance enters the bloodstream and attaches to cholesterol. After some time, a reaction is triggered that provokes the formation of chylomicrons - the largest lipoproteins synthesized by the large intestine.

Subsequently, such substances penetrate the liver, where they contribute to the formation of low and high density lipoproteins.

Low-density lipoproteins - a substance that contributes to the formation of plaques on the walls of blood vessels. This suggests that the more they accumulate in the body, the higher the risk of developing atherosclerosis.

In addition, a high level of these substances in the blood provokes the rapid production of fatty acids. The remains of such acids, which are not completely converted into HDL, are excreted from the body naturally.

Thus, it is possible to understand why the coefficient of atherogenicity is important in determining the risk of developing atherosclerosis. Also, for this indicator, it is important to know the amount of triglycerides, which perform not only a transport function, but also reflect the total fat content in human blood.

The coefficient of atherogenicity is determined for:

Controlling the dynamics of cholesterol levels during drug therapy;
Diagnosis of certain diseases of the liver and thyroid gland;
Primary preventive examination of the patient.

What affects the indicators of the coefficient of atherogenicity?

World Health Organization experts say that atherosclerosis is a problem of the 21st century. Due to the fact that the diameter of the blood vessels narrows, the risk of blood clots increases. In the event of a detachment, they can completely clog the arterial bed, which leads to serious complications, such as a stroke or heart attack.

In addition, insufficient blood circulation can lead to connective tissue necrosis.

If you know that you have elevated blood cholesterol, immediately take an analysis to determine the coefficient of atherogenicity. With its help, it will be possible to diagnose many abnormalities in the functioning of the liver and other organs of the digestive tract.

With the help of modern diagnostic measures, it is possible to study various biological and chemical mechanisms in more detail and in depth. They are necessary to determine the mechanism of development of atherosclerosis and to identify the risk of its formation.

In addition, the coefficient of atherogenicity helps to identify the exact ratio of high and low density lipoproteins, to accurately determine which treatment is needed.

Despite the accuracy of such a study, its results can be greatly influenced by the following:

Atherogenic coefficient - the ratio between total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein complex.

To identify a more accurate picture of the state of the body, it is necessary to know the whole range of indicators associated with cholesterol. With the help of this coefficient, the doctor manages to recognize not only the prerequisites for the formation of atherosclerosis, but also other, more serious diseases.

Also, the identification of the level of this indicator is necessary to determine the effectiveness of drug therapy to reduce cholesterol in the blood. If the doctor sees that the amount of high-density cholesterol decreases, and the atherogenic coefficient increases, then the therapy was chosen incorrectly.

At first glance, such an incomprehensible phrase is a complex and obscure medical term. In fact, everything is quite simple.

Atherogenicity is nothing more than the ratio of "bad" and "good" lipid components in the human body.

A special coefficient helps to better understand and evaluate the health of each person, no matter if he is 20 or 50 years old. In the future, experts use this indicator in order to identify possible risks for the development of a number of diseases of the cardiovascular system. These diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. A sedentary lifestyle has led us to the fact that the number of cases of heart attacks or strokes has increased significantly, but it is in the power of each person to learn a little more about their health, which will help them prevent or timely identify ailments that, without contacting specialists, can turn into disastrous results.

Why is this indicator so important?

Previously, therapeutic and cardiological doctors sent their patients to take a general blood test, which revealed the total level of lipids. Later, when the positive effect of high-density cholesterol was revealed, it became possible to evaluate the ratio of lipids at a more qualitative level. The coefficient of atherogenicity gives a clearer idea of what exactly a person eats, what type of fat prevails in his food, and also at what level his metabolism is.

This coefficient is measured in mmol / l of blood. The formula for finding is very simple. It is necessary to divide low density lipoproteins into. In a blood test, only such indicators as the content of total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein can be indicated. In this case, it is necessary to subtract high-density lipoproteins from the total amount of cholesterol, and then divide the resulting difference by the already known high-density lipoprotein indicator. The formula can be represented as follows:

It turns out that this indicator indicates how healthy and correct the set of fats in the human body. The norm is the coefficient of atherogenicity, which is within the framework of 2.2 - 3.5, and many laboratories have recently lowered the upper limit to 3.0. Thus, for most cardiologist patients, a decrease in the atherogenic index is exactly the goal they should strive for, as opposed to a general decrease in blood lipid components. By the way, this indicator alone, when it is increased, does not indicate that the patient has atherosclerosis, and a good specialist will conduct additional studies to clarify the clinical picture. Too low values within 1.9 - 2.2 have no clinical significance.

How to take the analysis?

It is known that the rules for passing each analysis are different, and the identification of the atherogenic index is no exception. Failure to comply with them can lead to incorrect results, and as a result, incorrect appointments.

on the eve it is necessary to give up fatty foods, and the evening dinner should be as light and simple as possible;
immediately before passing the analysis for the coefficient of atherogenicity, as well as the day before, it is better to abandon too intense physical exertion, and, if possible, protect yourself from emotional upheavals;
smoking immediately before the test can distort the result, and therefore it is better to refuse a cigarette 30 minutes before going to the treatment room;
analysis for the coefficient of atherogenicity is given strictly on an empty stomach, that is, for the last 6-8 hours a person should not take any, even light food;
alcohol must also be abandoned per day, otherwise the result will be incorrect;
5 minutes before the test, you must take a sitting position and calm down.

If possible, the analysis should be retaken again in another medical institution to eliminate errors during the analysis.

Causes of a reduced atherogenic index

A reduced atherogenic index in practice in different population groups - men, women and children - is quite rare. So, here are the main reasons why the result was below the norm:

the patient regularly takes statins, which are by far the most popular means for lowering blood lipids;
the patient goes in for sports, which is almost impossible for obese people - the main visitors to the cardiologist's office;
before the test, the patient had been on a low-cholesterol diet for a long time;
taking estrogen, antifungal drugs and erythromycin can also lead to a lower atherogenic index.

Features of a reduced atherogenic index

This blood count can change over time. So, most people who are undergoing treatment for obesity periodically take an analysis to see the dynamics of the work being done. Of course, they are pleased when the level of atherogenicity gradually decreases.

If a person leads an active lifestyle and does not overeat, then his atherogenic index will be normal. With significant loads at work or in sports, this indicator becomes lower. As a rule, to increase it and bring it back to normal, it is enough to rest well and allow yourself to eat a little more than usual.

Different indicators of blood components in women, men and children should eventually give an atherogenic index, which will fit into the general standards (2.2 - 3).

Reduced coefficient of atherogenicity in women

In a healthy woman, when passing this analysis on an empty stomach, the indicator should be normal. A reduced atherogenic coefficient will indicate that the patient is in the stage of exhaustion. In turn, this situation can occur for several reasons. First, a woman takes too little fat food. This happens with young girls who are on a diet for a long time. As a rule, such diets are not prescribed by a specialist, but personally, and therefore their health benefits are very doubtful.

Secondly, a reduced coefficient of atherogenicity in women can be observed in female athletes. During periods of preparation for serious competitions, the load on the body increases significantly, both physical and moral, and all this requires energy. If the coach does not pay enough attention to the condition of his mentor, but only monitors her physical form, then this can lead to such results as a reduced atherogenic coefficient.

Finally, if this indicator is low in a woman, you should check with her if she is taking hormonal drugs containing estrogens. Most contraceptives, including the new generation, contain small doses of this female hormone, which women take daily. In this case, the result of the analysis can be considered invalid and not of medical significance.

Reduced atherogenic coefficient in children

Today, it is recommended to take this analysis to those children who have been diagnosed with high cholesterol since birth, and also have disorders, including congenital ones, in the work of the cardiovascular system. This index, taken from a child from 2 to 10 years old, is considered informative.

If the coefficient of atherogenicity in a child is lowered, then it is necessary to ask parents about the nature of his diet. Many types of sweets, so loved by children, contain almost no lipid components (marshmallow, marshmallow). If the intake of such food is to the detriment of the main diet, then one should not be surprised that the child will have a reduced level of atherogenicity. Despite the fact that doctors do not usually consider a decrease in the level to be critical, in this case everything is completely different. Cholesterol is necessary for the children's body to build cells, to maintain strength, for the functioning of all body systems. Thus, a girl's reproductive system will not be ready for the monthly menstrual cycle if the level of dietary fat is low. Finally, a huge amount of fat is concentrated in the cerebral hemispheres, and their existing lack, which is also indicated by a reduced level of atherogenicity, can cause poor performance in an educational institution.

Reduced coefficient of atherogenicity in men

In the modern world, this situation is extremely rare, and the reason for this is the countless gadgets that the strong half of humanity spends time with, as well as high-calorie food that cooks very quickly or even just warms up.

If, at the appointment with a cardiologist, a man reveals that his level of atherogenicity is lowered, then the doctor should consult with the patient in order to identify the true cause. As a rule, this analysis is taken in the morning, on an empty stomach. If a man has a habit of doing exercises or jogging, and even on the day of the test he did not change his plans, this can lead to the fact that the atherogenic coefficient will be lowered. If such a result is obtained without recent physical activity, then this may indicate that the patient's diet has been dominated by foods with a low lipid content for a long time.

If a man is currently being treated for a fungus and is taking appropriate medications, this can also lead to a decrease in the atherogenic coefficient. The same result will lead to taking drugs based on erythromycin. Such test results should not be taken into account. It is recommended to take a new analysis when the patient undergoes treatment and completes the medication.

What to do with low atherogenicity?

First you need to find out if the result is correct. In other words, were there any factors in the patient's life in the last days before the test that could. If there are none, then the result can be interpreted as true.

Eating food with adequate fat content

The most common problem is the intake of low-calorie, critically low-fat foods. Numerous mono-diets that you can read and prescribe on the Internet today can harm even a healthy person, not to mention patients with diseases. It is urgent to visit a nutrition specialist so that he develops an individual schedule and diet, paints the types of products and their quantity. Wrong in this case is the decision immediately after such a "hungry" diet to consume everything in any quantity. This is fraught with a sharp increase in the level of sugar, low density lipoproteins and other blood components.

As for athletes and their reduced atherogenic coefficient, everything should be decided only by a sports doctor. Even the slightest deviation from the training schedule can cause failure in the near future, and it is precisely for the sake of victory that a person in this profession is trying. Perhaps you should think about nutrition and, if possible, add some foods with lipoproteins. By the way, the quality of lipids, namely their density, in the case of athletes does not play the first role, because most of the fat will be converted into energy. However, it has been observed that foods with "good" lipoproteins do not cause a feeling of heaviness, which also gives them an advantage over foods with animal fats.

Is it worth it to be a vegetarian?

Finally, a separate conversation should be conducted with vegetarians. As a rule, these people refuse animal fats, however, vegetable oils also consume a very moderate amount. If the work activity of such people is rich and intense, whether physical or mental, then with a high degree of expectation we can say that the atherogenic coefficient will be lowered. If the vegetarian diet is too poor, then his body will be in a state of exhaustion, and the lowered atherogenic index proves this once again. In this case, you should immediately think about your diet, namely, how to diversify it with foods containing fats, and here also the help of a specialist will not be superfluous.

The results of a blood test may indicate "atherogenic coefficient increased" - what is it?

In short, this coefficient indicates the likelihood of developing pathologies of the circulatory system - diseases of the heart and blood vessels.

People with an increased risk of developing diseases of the heart or circulatory system should carefully monitor the atherogenic index - it will help minimize the risk of heart attack, stroke, atherosclerosis and other dangerous diseases.

Almost all foods contain three main nutritional groups: proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Each of these groups performs a specific function in the body.

Fats are involved in energy metabolism, in the generation of the cell membrane and serve as a kind of energy warehouse (the human body stores excess energy in the form of a fatty layer).

From the stomach, fats enter the liver, where, in a series of several chemical processes, they are encapsulated into proteins, and the resulting lipoproteins enter the bloodstream.

Individual fat molecules do not dissolve in water, and therefore simply cannot enter the circulatory system.

Auxiliary proteins, with which lipoproteins are composed, create a kind of shell around fats, so that they can enter the bloodstream and then be transported to the tissues.

Lipoproteins are usually divided into two large groups: liquid (LDL) and solid (HDL).

In everyday speech, instead of a medical term, the word cholesterol or cholesterol is often used, and instead of dividing into liquid and solid, intuitive classifications of “bad” (harmful, dangerous) cholesterol and “good” (useful) cholesterol are used.

This division is not entirely fair, since both types of lipoproteins perform very important functions in the body. "Bad" cholesterol makes only its excess, and not its own properties.

Liquid lipoproteins (LDL) are the main building blocks of cells. Together with the blood flow, these compounds enter the organs and tissues, where the required amount is used to form cell membranes (shells).

The excess returns to the bloodstream and continues to circulate throughout the body in search of tissues where it is necessary to "finish" the cells.

Liquid cholesterol is involved in the secretion of bile, a digestive fluid necessary for the proper functioning of the intestines and metabolism.

It is with liquid cholesterol that tissues are enriched with antioxidants - substances that neutralize free radicals that are potentially harmful to the body.

Liquid cholesterol contributes to the proper functioning of the brain and nervous system, plays an important role in the formation of immunity.

If liquid cholesterol performs so many beneficial functions in the body, then why is it called harmful?

Problems with this type of cholesterol begin when there is more of this substance in the blood than the body needs.

Excess liquid cholesterol continues to circulate in the blood and can attach to the walls of blood vessels, creating small seals.

Such areas are called cholesterol plaques. They not only reduce the patency of blood vessels (create a kind of plug), but also make the vascular tissue less elastic. This increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Solid cholesterol (HDL) performs a cleaning function in the body. When it enters the bloodstream, it binds excess liquid cholesterol and removes it from the body.

That is why solid cholesterol is called "good" or "useful". An increased content of this compound in the blood reduces the risk of cholesterol plaques and increases the elasticity of blood vessels.

What is the coefficient of atherogenicity?

For a doctor, all three indicators are important: the total amount of cholesterol, the proportion of liquid cholesterol and the proportion of solid.

The coefficient (or index) of atherogenicity is a simple number that shows the ratio of all three indicators.

The coefficient of atherogenicity is calculated in laboratories using a very simple mathematical formula: (total cholesterol - amount of good cholesterol) / amount of good cholesterol.

With the help of such a simple calculation, the doctor can judge the overall health of the cardiovascular system. High coefficient of atherogenicity - these are values \u200b\u200bmore than 3 - 3.5.

This ratio means that there is much more liquid cholesterol in the bloodstream and the body does not have time to remove it, which means that the risk of developing diseases of the circulatory system increases.

The reasons for the increase in the atherogenic index can be very diverse - from metabolic disorders to specific diseases. But the most common factor that increases or decreases this coefficient is nutrition.

The norm of the coefficient of atherogenicity varies depending on age.

For young people under 30, indicators below 2 are considered good, for the elderly - indications up to 3 inclusive should not cause concern. But it is impossible to judge the general health of blood vessels only by this indicator.

The doctor must take into account the patient's medical history, take into account the specifics of nutrition and lifestyle.

Current drug treatment can distort test results - some drugs can underestimate the amount of dangerous cholesterol, but as soon as a person stops taking them, the atherogenic coefficient rises again.

How to prepare for the analysis to determine the coefficient of atherogenicity?

Blood from a vein is used to measure cholesterol levels in the bloodstream. Preparation for analysis is simple, the main task is not to distort the results by sudden changes in diet and lifestyle.

It is necessary to donate blood on an empty stomach, that is, 10 to 12 hours after the last meal. 24 hours before blood sampling, it is necessary to give up alcoholic beverages and avoid psycho-emotional overload.

1-2 weeks before the expected date of the test, it is necessary to stabilize nutrition and physical activity.

The atherogenic coefficient is measured to assess the risk of cardiovascular disease in everyday life.

A sharp decrease in fat intake will lead to an underestimated atherogenic index, but as soon as the patient returns to his usual diet, the index will increase again.

The same applies to new physical activities. If you are used to going to the gym 3 times a week, then you should not increase or decrease the number of workouts.

If you do not do sports at all, then do not overload the body with unusual physical exercises.

You will get more pleasant results of the analysis, which will mean little for a realistic assessment of health.

Who needs to be tested?

Everyone should donate blood to measure the atherogenic coefficient, the difference is only in the recommended regularity of the study. After 25 years, it is worth measuring the level of cholesterol in the blood.

If the obtained indicators are within the normal range or lower, then the study can be repeated after 5 years.

If the coefficient is increased, then you should consult a doctor for advice. Most likely, you will be advised to change the diet (eliminate most animal fats) and retake the test after a few months.

After 50 - 55, an analysis for the atherogenic coefficient should be taken more often, even if, according to the results of the analysis, the blood composition is good.

In women, the hormonal changes associated with menopause can lead to significant fluctuations in the indicator in a relatively short time.

In men, the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases is statistically higher, so it is worth monitoring the atherogenic coefficient especially carefully.

People who are at risk should regularly donate blood to assess the risk of developing diseases of the circulatory system.

The most obvious factor is a personal history of cardiovascular disease (atherosclerosis, heart attack, stroke).

The family history of diseases of the heart and blood vessels is also important, since the predisposition to these pathologies is inherited.

If close relatives have problems with the circulatory system, then monitoring the atherogenic coefficient is a reasonable preventive measure.

Significant excess weight, especially obesity (when the amount of adipose tissue exceeds 20% of the total weight) is a sign of malnutrition or metabolic disorders.

People who are prone to fullness often have problems with blood vessels, so donating blood for the atherogenic index is worth it regularly.

Diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease, chronic hypertension, liver disease are all risk factors for the development of pathologies of the circulatory system.

In the presence of these diseases, an analysis for atherogenicity should be taken at least once every 1 to 3 years.

What to do if the coefficient is increased?

By itself, a high coefficient of atherogenicity is not a disease, so treatment as such is not required.

An index greater than 3 means that there is an increased load on the vessels. This will not necessarily lead to atherosclerosis or a heart attack, but the likelihood of such pathologies is much higher.

In order for the treatment to be effective, it is first necessary to establish the reasons for the increase in this indicator.

Most often this is nutrition and lack of physical activity, but the patient may have a metabolic disorder, there may not be enough vitamins, and the secretion of enzymes may be impaired.

Causes may include liver or bowel disease that the patient is unaware of. Therefore, you can independently reduce atherogenicity only in those cases when you are completely confident in your health.

The most obvious and simple treatment is proper nutrition. Since most of the fat comes from food, reducing their share in the daily diet will naturally lower the amount of cholesterol in the blood.

The most harmful products in this sense are:

fat meat;
sausages (especially smoked sausages with abundant fatty layers);
high-fat dairy products (sour cream, cream, butter);
synthetic products using animal fat (desserts, margarine, spreads, etc.)

Smoking and excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages are habits that are harmful not only to blood vessels, but to the whole organism as a whole.

Despite the fact that nicotine temporarily dilates blood vessels, and alcohol promotes the removal of fats from the body, in the long term, these substances provoke the widest range of pathological changes in internal organs, including an increase in cholesterol.

An increase in physical activity is also a good treatment for increased atherogenicity and many other diseases. It is not necessary to go to the gym or do active aerobics every day.

Cross-country skiing, walking at a brisk pace, Finnish walking, swimming are useful exercises that are accessible even to older people.