Here’s why that matters: Having high cholesterol can cause some very serious health conditions, including coronary heart disease, which is the number one cause of death in the U.S. While high cholesterol can be genetic, it is largely influenced by diet and lifestyle habits. There’s one habit that impacts cholesterol so much that a cardiologist is issuing a warning for everyone to stop it by the time they’re 50.
Dr. Amit Prasad, MD, a cardiologist at Texas Health Huguley Hospital Fort Worth South, explains that high cholesterol can be caused by a combination of different factors. One cause, he says, is having a diet that’s high in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol.
Related: What's More Important for Heart Health: Lowering Dietary Cholesterol or Saturated Fat?
Having high cholesterol when you’re 50 or older has additional health risks. Dr. Prasad explains that high cholesterol in people over 50 can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, including heart attack and stroke. “Additionally, fluctuating cholesterol levels in older adults have been linked to an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia. It’s important for older adults to manage their cholesterol levels to reduce these risks,” he says.
The #1 Habit To Quit By 50 To Avoid High Cholesterol
If you want to avoid having high cholesterol in the future and the very serious health risks that accompany it, what you do today matters. If you are 50 or younger, Dr. Prasad says that the most important habit to quit is smoking. “Quitting smoking is one of the most important steps you can take to lower your risk of high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease,” he says.
Scientific research backs up the connection between smoking and high cholesterol, showing that the nicotine in tobacco raises LDL cholesterol while lowering HDL cholesterol. This means that using tobacco in other ways (such as chewing or vaping) can also increase LDL cholesterol.
Besides not using tobacco, Dr. Prasad says that the best way to prevent high cholesterol is to maintain a healthy diet. “Diet plays a key role in managing cholesterol levels for several reasons. It reduces LDL cholesterol, maintains healthy levels of HDL cholesterol and reduces saturated and trans fats,” he says.
The dangers of high cholesterol shouldn’t be underestimated, but there is a lot you can do to keep your cholesterol levels in check. Adopt healthy habits today to protect your heart tomorrow.
Related: 20 Registered Dietitian-Approved Heart-Healthy Snacks That Taste Great, Too
Sources
Dr. Amit Prasad, MD, cardiologist at Texas Health Huguley Hospital Fort Worth South, a joint venture of Texas Health and AdventHealth What doctors wish patients knew about high cholesterol. American Medical AssociationHigh Cholesterol Diseases. Cleveland ClinicLeading Causes of Death. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and PreventionDyslipidemia in Obesity: Mechanisms and Potential Targets. Nutrients. 2013The 32-year relationship between cholesterol and dementia from midlife to late life. Neurology. 2010The Effect of Chronic Tobacco Smoking and Chewing on the Lipid Profile. Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research. 2013Dietary treatment to lower cholesterol and triglyceride and reduce cardiovascular risk. Current Opinions in Lipidology. 2020 Read More Details
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