We’ve all heard of “good” cholesterol and “bad” cholesterol. But, although doctors have differentiated between the helpful high density lipids (HDL) and the harmful low density lipids (LDL) does not mean that the labels of good and bad tell a complete story. HDL is helpful because it is instrumental in moving fats and bad cholesterol out of the arteries. Although these labels are accurate, there is a lot more that can be known about how to treat someone and what their future prognosis is likely to be by looking deeper into the problem.
One thing that scientists are currently finding is that HDL helps in other instances. A better understanding of how to measure HDL can help doctors to gauge whether someone is at a high risk of cardiovascular disease or heart attack. People with comparatively higher rates of HDL are less likely to suffer from severe cardiovascular disease. But more specifically, when HDL particles are accurately measured, doctors can gain a much better understanding of the risk that is going on with a patient. However, this particular measure is very rarely used. These researchers believe that it needs to be used more heavily in order to help more people stay healthier.
A more complex look at “good” cholesterol levels may tell us more about future health concerns.
Another interesting thing to point out about this study is that people of African descent did not seem to be impacted by these particular measures. Although this measurement was accurate is assessing risk for other races, Black people did not seem to be impacted one way or another by the traditional HDL measures or by the particle count. In the past, studies have only focused on the population as a whole, but this one looked at differences between races. Slight biological differences can make this happen, but the reasoning why is not understood yet.
More research is needed in this area. This was acknowledged in the paper that was published recently by UT Southwestern Medical Center. Understanding the differences between diverse populations can help save lives, especially when it comes to those from a minority background.
Poor cholesterol management can lead to a whole variety of health issues, one of which is stroke. When someone suffers from a stroke, there may be an extensive recovery period where the patient must relearn how to do things that were once second nature to them. Assistance during this time is absolutely necessary in order to help keep the person in need as safe and healthy as possible. Sometimes, there is never a full recovery after a stroke. Preventing the stroke from occurring in the first place through better habits and preventive measures–like the one mentioned here–is always the best choice.
But if help is needed, we’re here for you. Give us a call to schedule a free evaluation and figure out today how in-home care can benefit your family. And if we’re not the right resource, we’ll be sure to point you in the right direction. There’s no pressure on your part, the only goal is to ensure that you and your family have the resources that you need.
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