hypercholesterolemia is an increase in blood cholesterol levels. This constitutes a major cardiovascular risk factor. Standards, cholesterol level measurement, anti-cholesterol diet, foods to avoid … We take stock.

Definition of cholesterol
Cholesterol is a lipid essential for the proper functioning of cell membranes. It is produced by the liver and the intestine. It is transported in the blood by lipoproteins mines, which makes it possible to differentiate LDL, HDL and VLDL cholesterol, depending on the density of the lipoprotein that carries it. In excess, cholesterol is responsible for cardiovascular complications.

Standards
The standards of the cholesterol level vary according to the laboratories, but in general the cholesterol must be less than 2g / l. It is also measured as a function of the level of the various lipoproteins which transport it, LDL being considered as “bad cholesterol” and HDL as “good cholesterol”. The LDL / HDL ratio, if it is greater than 1, makes it possible to identify subjects at risk.

High cholesterol: from what level?
Too high a cholesterol level, that is to say greater than 2g / l, exposes the risk of cardiovascular complications due to the formation of atheromatous plaques on the walls of the arteries. Monitoring of the cholesterolemia of these subjects must be regular. There are familial forms of hyperlipidemia, which may require treatment from childhood.

Diagnosis: how is the cholesterol level measured?
The diagnosis of hypercholesterolemia is made by a simple blood test which makes it possible to measure the total cholesterol level and that of the various carrier lipoproteins.

High cholesterol: foods to avoid
Decreasing the consumption of saturated fat is an important step that needs to be taken. Here is the list of foods that it is advisable to avoid in case of high cholesterol:

• butter, crème fraîche, whole and semi-skimmed milk, concentrated.
• fatty meats: mutton, lamb, goose, beef, hen, offal
  delicatessen.
• vegetable oil: peanut, palm.
• cheeses: no more than twice a week.
• eggs.
• fried foods, chips and chips.
• pastries, pastries, chocolate, cookies, ice creams (except sorbets Treatments to lower your cholesterol
  There are drug treatments to lower cholesterol levels. These must be systematically associated with the diet. These are mainly stationary and vibrating ones. The satins have been shown to be really effective, but they are not without side effects

Prevention
“A healthy lifestyle combining a balanced diet, regular physical activity (walking 30 minutes a day is very beneficial), the absence of smoking and good stress management will considerably limit cardiovascular risks”, advises Dr. Anne- Christine Della Valle, general practitioner. It is essential to intervene on the other cardiovascular risk factors such as arterial hypertension, sedentary lifestyle, obesity… The practice of a daily sporting activity is essential in order to reduce the cardiovascular risks and to increase the rate. good cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol.