"Good" cholesterol may not always benefit the heart of postmenopausal women



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Although high levels of "good" cholesterol are badociated with heart health benefits, they are not always protective in postmenopausal women

The study titled "HDL (high density lipoprotein) ) and atherosclerosis in women "was published in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology on July 19.

Unlike LDL cholesterol (type" bad "), HDL cholesterol is good for the body because It reduces the risk of heart disease by cleaning the blood circulation by eliminating bad cholesterol and cleaning the inner walls of the vessels.

Damaged internal walls and plaque buildup can affect the blood circulation. transport of blood and oxygen, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

But previous studies have found that HDL shares a Unexpected relationship with postmenopausal women – a link that has never been studied in depth according to the senior author, Dr. Samar R. El Khoudary, Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology. university. "This study confirms our earlier work on a different group of women and suggests that clinicians need to take a closer look at the type of HDL in middle-aged and older women, because higher HDL cholesterol does not." is not always protective in postmenopausal women. "The research team looked at more than 1,100 women across the United States who were between the ages of 45 and 84. Their findings revealed that HDL particle size was an important factor.

The highest concentration of total HDL particles as well as a high number of small HDL particles have been shown to be beneficial to the heart health of postmenopausal women. Woman's age or time since she was postmenopausal.

But a large number of large HDL particles was linked to an increased risk of heart disease when a woman was p Menopause rock While standard tests do not measure particle size, experts believe that this may not be necessary for everyone.

"People at the limit or people with a family history of early heart disease – these people may need specialized cholesterol tests," said Dr. Nieca Goldberg, Medical Director of the Tisch Center for Women's Health at the University of New York. 19659002] A healthy diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains is recommended by the American Heart Association. Goldberg, who was not involved in the study, also encouraged regular exercise as an effective way to improve cholesterol levels, especially in older women.

"I do not want people to suddenly think that menopause poses many health problems, because menopause is a natural part of the life cycle," she said. [ad_2]
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