In Yucatán, seven in ten adults have at least one cardiovascular risk factor

José Salazar / Milenio News
MERIDA, Yuc.- In Yucatán, seven in ten adults have at least one cardiovascular risk factor such as dyslipidemia (high blood cholesterol), hypertension, diabetes, or obesity.

Cholesterol, produced by the liver, is a waxy substance that the body uses to protect the nerves, generate cellular tissue and produce certain hormones.

The body also gets cholesterol directly from the food you eat (such as eggs, meat and dairy products). However, in excess, this can have a negative impact on health.

At the XVIII National Cardiology Congress of the National Association of Cardiology of Mexico (Ancam), which takes place in Merida, a module was installed to perform rapid blood cholesterol measurements.

Nurse Marisela Vargas, responsible for the module, explained that the rapid cholesterol test was performed by means of a slight finger piercing. The drop of blood is deposited on the test strip of the monitoring device. On contact, it reacts by changing color and reveals in a minute the LDL cholesterol levels, called "bad" cholesterol, HDL (triglycerides) and triglycerides.

Ideal levels of cholesterol

He explained that ideal total cholesterol levels should be below 200. LDL should be below 130, "good" or HDL at 60. For triglycerides, the level should be less than 150 milligrams per deciliter . (mg / dl).

Overweight, a high fat diet and non-exercise can increase cholesterol. If you are overweight, your triglyceride level will probably be higher. If you are never exercising and are not usually active, the HDL (good cholesterol) may go down.

Smoking is also a high cholesterol factor, as this habit reduces HDL ("good" cholesterol).

It is recommended to test high cholesterol in men over 35 and women over 45 years.

It is also recommended for men and women from the age of 20 who have risk factors for heart disease.

High cholesterol can be prevented by choosing healthy foods and exercising.