What is high density cholesterol. How is the analysis done. Reasons for increasing and lowering HDL

Lipoprotein high density(HDL) is a substance for transporting unused cholesterol (fats) by blood from peripheral tissues to the liver for disposal of excess. HDL lowered happens in case of exacerbation chronic diseases or acute infections.

Norms of indicators:

• in men - 30-70 mg / dl (0.78-1.1 mmol / l);
• in women - 30-85 mg / dl (0.78-2.2 mmol / l).

From which it can be seen that bottom line indicators for adults are the same.

Cholesterol is the main substance transported to the liver by HDL important role in the body: responsible for maintaining the hardness of cell walls, the production of steroid hormones by the gonads and adrenal glands, and, according to recent data, is also involved in the processes of tissue respiration in the brain. Contains a lot of cholesterol.

The structure of lipoproteins

Lipoprotein (lipoprotein - means the same) of high density is conventionally called "good" because of its function, ultimately aimed at utilizing excess cholesterol by the liver. It prevents various cardiovascular catastrophes, in fact controls the weight of the human body, and even takes part in immune processes.

It is impossible to feel a decrease in high-density lipoproteins. To figure out what it means lowered HDL, attention should be paid to indirect signs health problems:

• weight gain without changes in eating style and previous physical activity;
• the appearance of a feeling of shortness of breath with the usual previously hiking at moderate walking speed;
• detected changes hormonal background Key words: menopause, diseases thyroid gland with insufficiency of its function, long-term use of oral hormonal contraceptives without control of accompanying indicators, diabetes;
• long-term use of the following groups of medicines: beta-blockers (for increased blood pressure), diuretics.

Who is prescribed a blood test for HDL?

For the timely detection of a decrease in HDL, screening studies should be periodically carried out, that is, those that are planned to be done by everyone at risk, namely:

• Pregnant women and in menopause - a decrease in HDL is associated with hormonal changes, estrogen levels. Estrogen, being a steroid hormone synthesized from cholesterol, regulates the production of HDL by the liver through feedback. With a lack of “good” cholesterol, the concentration of “carriers” of these molecules back to the liver decreases and the amount of newly produced HDL decreases.

It has been observed that in women after menopause, the level of cholesterol in the blood rises sharply.

• Obese. Body mass index (BMI) greater than 30.
• Survivors of myocardial infarction and other vascular accidents.
• Patients with vascular atherosclerosis, especially in the brain.
• Those who have food allergies, in particular - celiac disease (intolerance to gluten contained in in large numbers in grain products) because this group of patients is limited in their ability to consume foods rich in fiber, which plays a key role in any therapeutic diet.
• Often, HDL analysis is prescribed before surgical interventions, invasive (penetrating the body) diagnostic procedures to assess the risk of possible complications.

Diagnostics

In the laboratory, blood is taken, the serum is separated and the HDL value is determined.

The sampling is done on an empty stomach, 12-14 hours after last appointment food. Either one HDL or all indicators of the blood lipid profile are measured in a comprehensive analysis. Results are usually ready within 1 day or 1 business day.

In some situations, to answer diagnostic questions, the ratio of HDL to total cholesterol is calculated.

Blood tests for lipid profile makes it possible to detect deviations in fat metabolism organism

You should not do the tests yourself. Often the laboratory is interested in more diagnostic procedures, so the list necessary examinations must be prescribed by the attending physician.

The Silent Enemy The basic feeling of the illness called "high cholesterol" is that most of them don't even know about it. Its discovery is not complicated and expensive - it can be determined from a simple laboratory analysis blood.

The vagina loses flexibility and constricts blood flow. People with such high cholesterol levels are at high risk of heart disease, so they should be medicines. These diseases account for more than 50% of all deaths in the IC. The problem with high cholesterol is about 70% of the adult population in the Czech Republic.

Treatment

Low target values ​​in HDL or lipid profile tests should not be treated. It is necessary to treat the patient individually, paying attention to clinical picture disorders, complaints and symptoms. This is what therapists do. Or those doctors with whom the patient is registered and attends consultations in a timely manner: endocrinologist, cardiologist and others.

Treatment begins with determining the cause that caused the decrease in HDL, and then therapy is directed to eliminate the identified cause or relieve exacerbation. Most often it is:

• Diabetes. For treatment, blood glucose levels are monitored (lipid-lowering drugs, diet) and complications are corrected.
• Cirrhosis of the liver. They monitor liver tests, correct diet, prescribe adequate physical activity and, excluding the use of alcohol and other toxic substances, drug therapy.
• Obesity. The body mass index is determined by the formula: weight (kg) divided by height (cm) squared. The ideal range is 18-21. Increased rate more than 30 is considered obese, in which they reduce body weight.

Obesity is one of the risk factors for dyslipidemia.

• A diet high in fast carbohydrates and high in polyunsaturated fatty acids can also lead to a decrease in HDL. The higher the concentration of low and very low density lipoproteins (LDL and VLDL) in the blood, the lower the HDL levels. Therefore, for treatment, the diet is adjusted.

Universal tips for normalizing the daily routine, increasing physical activity and renounce bad habits, which will help not only increase HDL levels, but also avoid many other painful conditions.

• Give up smoking. This action alone will already raise HDL levels by 10%.
• Monitor your weight, avoid increasing it to obesity rates (BMI > 30), and if available, pay attention to measures to reduce it.
• Sufficient exercise. Charging in the morning, in the warm season. good remedy for cardio training there will be bike rides away from highways.
• Pay attention to the amount of liquid consumed per day (should not be lower than 2-2.5 liters per day). Coffee is not counted in this amount because it has the opposite effect of the desired goal, promotes dehydration and increases blood pressure.
• Give up alcohol. As alcoholic beverages It is permissible to occasionally drink red wine.

In case of lipid metabolism disorders, alcohol should be avoided.

Some foods help raise HDL levels. It:

• sea ​​fish;
• low-fat cottage cheese;
• hard cheese;
• milk and yogurt;
• white meats (poultry, rabbit);
• nuts and dried fruits;
• legumes (soy, peas, chickpeas).

With all the variety of advice on normalization lower scores HDL cholesterol, the key to prevention is the normalization of lifestyle with the normalization of body weight and sufficient physical activity, namely - physiotherapy exercises. This one is simple but important advice it will help to bring the indicators back to normal faster and moreover, this is an excellent prevention cardiovascular disease and the musculoskeletal system than all possible diets at the same time, because the role of food in blood cholesterol levels is only no more than 20%.

Cholesterol enters the body with food, most of all with dairy products and meat. But it is also produced by the liver.

It is vital:

• From it, cell membranes are created for all, without exception, tissues and organs of the human body.
• Also, on its basis, hormones are created that are responsible for growth, development and the possibility of reproduction.
• Bile is formed from cholesterol in the liver, which helps the intestines work.

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance. Fats don't dissolve in water, so pure form blood cannot transport them. Therefore, cholesterol is “packed” into protein. The new combination of cholesterol and protein is called lipoprotein.

Several types of lipoproteins circulate in the human body, different in structure and function:

• Very low density lipoproteins. Formed in the liver. Lipids are transported in the bloodstream.
• Low density lipoproteins. Formed from very low density lipoproteins after triglycerides are released. That is, it is practically pure cholesterol.
• High density lipoproteins. With the blood flow, excess cholesterol is transported to the liver. Where bile is then formed from it.

In other words, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is the "good" cholesterol.

Cholesterol "bad" and "good"

Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are the main type of "transport" of total cholesterol.

In this form it:

• Moves around the body
• It becomes the cause of plaque settling on the vessels and their possible blockage;
• Causes heart attacks coronary disease heart disease, stroke and atherosclerosis. Therefore, this cholesterol is conditionally called "bad".

High density lipoproteins:

• carry fats and total cholesterol from one cell to another;
• The remaining “waste” cholesterol is collected and carried back to the liver, which processes it into bile.

That is, they collect excess cholesterol and prevent its deposition on the walls of blood vessels. Therefore, lipoproteins increased density the norm for the body and such HDL cholesterol Also called "good" cholesterol.

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The norm of HDL in the blood

HDL contains about 30% of the total cholesterol in the body. The rest of the cholesterol is LDL. Its level in the blood is constantly fluctuating and in case of an increase, high-density lipoproteins will not be able to cope with it.

It will be deposited on the walls of the vessels and narrow the lumen, making it difficult for the blood to move. In this case, the vessels will lose their elasticity, and atherosclerosis will develop. The risk of developing heart disease will increase several times.

Normal levels of "good" cholesterol in the blood:

1. For men: up to 19 years 30-65 mg / dl, from 20 years and older 30-70 mg / dl.
2. For women, the indicators are more dynamic: under the age of 14 30-65 mg/dl, aged 15 to 19 years 30-70 mg/dl, from 20 to 29 years 30-75 mg/dl, from 30 to 39 years 30-80 mg/dl, aged 40 years and over 30-85mg/dl.

Upon reaching the upper limit of age, after which the level of HDL in the blood should no longer change, it is recommended to regularly donate blood to determine the level of cholesterol.

Deviations of HDL from the norm

Since HDL removes excess cholesterol, it high performance are not a risk. On the contrary, in this case, the risk of developing coronary heart disease decreases several times.

But the decrease in HDL, even with normal level ordinary cholesterol, several times increases the risk of plaque deposition. So even if the level is elevated, high density lipoproteins are not a bad factor for the body.

There are several reasons that cause HDL deviation from the norm, among them:

• genetic abnormalities.
• Chronic alcoholism leading to cirrhosis of the liver.
• Deviations in the work of the thyroid gland - hyperthyroidism.
• Regular use of certain medications (such as insulin).

In any case, even elevated HDL should not be significantly higher than normal. Otherwise, it already speaks of pathology.

Increasing HDL

It seems that the higher the level of HDL in the blood, the better. Because the risk of developing heart and vascular diseases decreases almost proportionally. But it is not so. A significant increase in performance is a signal of pathology.

Usually:

• The presence of hyperlipoproteinemia is a hereditary high level of high density lipoproteins.
• Cirrhosis of the liver.
• Chronic hepatitis.
• Prolonged intoxication of the body - alcohol, smoking, etc.

There are two factors that affect HDL increase, but are not a pathology:

• Pregnancy. Throughout the entire period of childbearing elevated level HDL is the norm. Therefore, the analysis should be taken no earlier than 2 months after birth.
• Taking medication on an ongoing basis. For example, insulin.

In the case of an increase in high-density lipoproteins, it is necessary first of all to exclude risk factors. And to treat the diseases that caused it.

Research procedure

Lipidogram - an analysis of the level of cholesterol in the blood. Recommended for anyone over 20 years of age.

But there are also a number of cases when an analysis is necessary:

1. Or if the person is taking cholesterol-lowering medications.
2. If a person follows a low-fat diet as recommended by a doctor.
3. In the presence of a hereditary factor, the child must first pass this test between the ages of 2 and 10 years.
4. If at least one of the risk factors is present:

• Smoking.
• Age for men from 45 years old, for women from 55 years old.
• Heredity.
• A stroke, heart attack, or coronary heart disease.
• Diabetes.
• Obesity.
• Alcoholism.
• A large percentage of fatty foods in the regular diet.

Lipidogram is a common blood test. He rents out general rules- on an empty stomach, on the eve you need to avoid physical exertion, baths and fatty foods.

There are no special requirements for preparation for it. This blood test shows high density lipoproteins as well.

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Risk Analysis

Long-term high cholesterol leads to the development of a variety of diseases.

Everything in the body is connected, including through the blood:

• First of all, the heart system suffers.
• Atherosclerosis- a natural consequence of liming of vessels and their loss of elasticity.
• Naturally, the liver suffers. As an organ directly involved in the process of processing cholesterol. This is where obesity develops.
• The kidneys suffer, as the load on them increases significantly.
• Diabetes and pancreatitis. Possible development pancreatic cancer. This is a "payment" for a diseased liver as well.
• thyroid gland as an organ endocrine system . Fats are involved in the production of hormones, so their concentration in the blood affects all body systems.

Lowering cholesterol is no less dangerous for the body. Against its background, the most various diseases- from pulmonary tuberculosis to acute infectious diseases. An increase in cholesterol levels does not occur suddenly, so it is possible to control this process, avoiding irreversible consequences.

Food is a source of cholesterol

Although cholesterol is produced by the liver, much of it comes from food.

In order to more or less control the level of your cholesterol, it is enough to navigate the products and know in which of them cholesterol is elevated:

1. Yolks of chicken eggs.
2. Sausage.
3. Margarine.
4. Caviar.
5. Offal - liver, lungs, etc.
6. Canned fish. This applies only to canned food in oil. fish in own juice poses no threat.
7. Fast food.
8. Processed meat - all kinds of stews, canned meat, etc.
9. Shrimps, mussels, oysters.

These products must be completely abandoned until the level of cholesterol returns to normal. In extreme cases, the number must be greatly reduced.

But it is necessary to understand that we are not talking about eating these foods in general, but about their abuse. Reception in small amounts, coupled with vegetable fiber, especially before lunch, will energize the body. And an active day will contribute to the “burning” of “bad” cholesterol.

Food is a source of fiber

Fiber helps lower cholesterol levels. When eaten regularly herbal products, cholesterol levels are reduced by 60%. vegetable fiber found in vegetables and fruits, as well as in non-animal fats. For example, in olive or sunflower oil no cholesterol.

Plant foods not only do not contain cholesterol, but also speed up the digestion process.. At high cholesterol the introduction of fruits and vegetables into the diet will result in lower cholesterol levels.

This will also help reduce the interval between meals.. If you single out three main meals - breakfast, lunch and dinner, and snack between them exclusively with fresh fruit, your cholesterol level will drop significantly.

Prevention

Cholesterol levels love balance, any imbalance in nutrition will cause, respectively, an increase in cholesterol levels:

1. Nutritional balance. Animal fats are also needed. They, among other things, are involved in the formation of "good" cholesterol. Therefore, their intake can be limited, but should not be completely excluded from food. And during the reception - yes. Until 12 noon, at the latest - until 14.
2. Combination of animal fats and fiber. More vegetables, more fruits. Balanced diet will give not only low level cholesterol, but feeling great, smooth skin and long youth.
3. Traffic. In the truest sense of the word, this is life. intensive exercise stress It lowers the level of "bad" cholesterol and raises the level of "good". In addition, a walk after a meal will speed up the transport of fats. And this means that they will not have a chance to settle on the walls of blood vessels. Athletes-athletes are able to lower the level of cholesterol in their body 79% faster than other people.
4. Rejection of bad habits.
5. Taking vitamins.
6. Drink green tea. It is scientifically proven that it significantly reduces the level of "bad" cholesterol.