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	Hypercholesterolemia
	Hypercholesterolemia, or high cholesterol, is a high level of cholesterol in the blood that
	can leads to blockages in the arteries , increasing the risk for heart attack,
	stroke and circulation problems.
	What Is Cholesterol?
	Cholesterol is a soft, waxy fat particle that circulates in the blood. It has several
	important functions in the body: it is a building block for all cell membranes and many
	sex hormones & steroid hormones, and is the digestive substance released by the gall
	bladder.
	The body produces cholesterol in the liver. The liver, in fact, produces almost all of the .
	cholesterol the body needs. However, many popular foods contain cholesterol and the
	substances used to produce cholesterol particles, which can increase the amount of
	cholesterol in the blood. Being insoluble in blood, cholesterol is circulated around the
	body with the help of protein carriers called lipoproteins.
	Two of these protein carriers are low-density lipoproteins (LDL) "bad cholesterol" & high-
	density lipoproteins (HDL) "good cholesterol”. Lipoproteins are differentiated according to
	the degree of density.
	LDL is responsible for transporting cholesterol from the liver to various tissues & body
	cells while HDL basically delivers any excess or unused cholesterol back to the liver to
	have it broken down to bile acids for excretion.
	Risk factors
	Specific risk factors include a family history of high cholesterol, obesity, heart attack or
	stroke, alcoholism, and lack of regular exercise. The chances of developing high
	cholesterol increase after the age of 45. One of the primary causes of high LDL
	cholesterol is too much fat or sugar in the diet.
	Causes & symptoms
	There are no apparent symptoms that indicate high LDL or triglycerides, or low HDL.
	The only way to diagnose the problems is through a simple blood test.
	However, one general indication of high cholesterol is obesity.
	Diagnosis
	To diagnose hypercholesterolemia different tests like Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and
	triglyceride levels as well as thecholesterol to HDL ratio are performed. . The results
	should only be used as a guide and if the total cholesterol level is high or low, a
	complete lipid will give proper information.
	In most adults the recommended levels, measured by milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) of
	blood, are: total cholesterol, less than 200; LDL, less than 130; HDL, more than 35;
	triglycerides, 30-200; and cholesterol to HDL ratio, four to one.
	However, the recommended cholesterol levels may vary, depending on other risk factors
	such as hypertension, a familyhistory of heart disease, diabetes, age, alcoholism, and
	smoking.
	Control of hypercholesterolemia
	Since a large number of people with high cholesterol are overweight, a healthy diet and
	regular exercise are most beneficial natural ways to control cholesterol levels.
	Weight loss. Gradual weight loss through modified diet and increased physical activity is
	helpful.
	Physical activity. Regular, moderate aerobic exercise has many beneficial effects.
	Exercise such as taking a brisk, 20-30 minute walk, 3-5 times in a week.
	All persons with chest pain (angina) and known or suspected heart disease should take
	physician advice before following any plan.
	Treatment
	The primary goal of cholesterol treatment is to lower LDL to under 160 mg/dL in people without heart disease and who are at lower risk of developing it. The goal in people with higher risk factors for heart disease is less than 130 mg/dL. In patients who already have heart disease, the goal is under 100 mg/dL, according to FDA guidelines. Also, since low HDL levels increase the risks of heart disease, the goal of all patients is more than 35 mg/dL.
	In both alternative and conventional treatment of high cholesterol, the first-line treatment options are exercise, diet, weight loss, and stopping smoking. Other alternative treatments include high doses of niacin, soy protein, garlic.