High Cholesterol Linked to Increased Risk of Heart Disease

Heart disease remains a major concern among health professionals. Each year, more than 610,000 Americans lose their life to this all-too-common disease. And while many factors play a role in heart disease, there's new evidence suggesting that high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels at a young age may increase the risk of death caused by heart disease.

It's important to note that LDL cholesterol is not the same as dietary cholesterol. When you read the nutrition label on food, you may see cholesterol listed. Known as dietary cholesterol, this has little or no impact in your heart health. You can consume cholesterol-rich foods without experiencing any ill effect on your heart health. However, your body's LDL cholesterol levels -- the amount of cholesterol in your blood -- can affect your susceptibility to heart disease.

For the study, researchers followed more than 36,000 adults, about three-fourths of whom were men, for 27 years. Researchers paid close attention to the participants' LDL cholesterol levels as well as their rates of heart disease. By the end of the study, researchers concluded that participants with high LDL cholesterol levels were more likely to die from heart disease than their counterparts with normal LDL cholesterol levels.

"High cholesterol at younger ages means there will be a greater burden of cardiovascular disease as these individuals age. This research highlights the need to educate Americans of any age on the risks of elevated cholesterol, and ways to keep cholesterol at a healthy level throughout life," said Dr. Robert Eckel, former president of the American Heart Association (AHA).

So, what can you do to lower your LDL cholesterol levels? There are several changes you can make to your lifestyle to achieve healthier cholesterol levels and, subsequently, a healthier heart. First, eliminate all sources of trans fat from your diet. Whether it's microwaveable popcorn, packaged cakes, pies, etc., trans fat is the absolute worst type of fat. It raises levels of LDL cholesterol and lowers level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. This one-two punch makes it a serious risk factor for heart disease.

You can also keep your LDL cholesterol levels in check by consuming more protein in your diet. The U.S. Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) currently recommends about 30 to 38 grams of fiber daily for men and 21 to 30 grams for women. Adding more protein to your diet allows your body to "flush" cholesterol from your bloodstream more easily, thereby protecting against heart disease and other related illness.

This study was published in the medical journal Circulation.