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Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, claiming one life every 35 seconds. More than a million people have heart attacks every year. There are many forms of cardiovascular diseases. A common one is coronary heart disease, which affects the blood vessels of the heart that causes heart attacks.
What are the risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease?
Cardiovascular disease is often due to our way of life: nutrition, lack of exercise, bad living habits, etc.
Risk factors that are uncontrollable include:
- Heredity
Cardiovascular disease has many genetic components that can be passed on through the generations, such as high cholesterol levels and obesity.
- Age
Anyone over the age of 65 is at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease.
- Gender
Earlier in life, men are at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease than women.
- Ethnicity
Race definitely plays a role, proven by the facts that African Americans have a higher risk of hypertension and Hispanics have a higher risk of high blood pressure.
Risk factors that can be positively changed are as follows:
- Tobacco Use
Smokers are two to four times more likely to die from a heart attack than a non-smoker.
- Obesity
Obese people put an increased strain on their hearts. This condition is also associated with hypertension, high cholesterol, insulin resistance, etc.
- Physical Inactivity
Usually sedentary people increase their risk for cardiovascular disease. Exercise can have tremendous benefits in cutting down on all of the controllable risk factors.
- Diabetes
Diabetes doubles the risk of cardiovascular disease for men and triples the risk for women. People who have diabetes are at a higher risk for hypertension and obesity.
- High Blood Pressure
This is a contributing factor to cardiovascular disease as it often leads to hypertension and atherosclerosis.
And last but definitely not least...
- High Cholesterol Levels
High cholesterol greatly increases the risk for cardiovascular disease, specifically coronary heart disease. The higher your blood cholesterol level, the greater your risk for coronary heart disease.
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol, a soft, waxy substance found in the bloodstream and in all of the body's cells, is carried in small packages called lipoproteins. Two kinds of lipoproteins, LDLs and HDLs, exist. It is very important to have healthy levels of both.
Low density lipoproteins (LDLs) are blood fats that transport cholesterol from the liver to organs and tissues. Excess LDLs are deposited on arterial walls, possibly resulting in clogging of the arteries, which restricts the flow of blood to the heart and brain. This is considered “bad cholesterol.” Reducing your LDL cholesterol is the main goal of cholesterol-lowering treatment.
High density lipoproteins (HDLs) are blood fats that help transport cholesterol out of the arteries back to the liver, where the cholesterol is removed from your body. The higher your HDL cholesterol level is, the lower your risk for coronary heart disease. This is considered “good cholesterol.”
Triglycerides, a form of fat found in the bloodstream, are often accompanied by other factors (low HDL level and possibly even diabetes) that raise the risk of coronary heart disease.
Where should your cholesterol levels be?
Blood cholesterol is measured in milligrams (mg) per deciliter (dL).
- Total Cholesterol Level
Ideally, you should have less than 200 mg/dL.
200-239 mg/dL is considered borderline high.
240 mg/dL and above indicates a high risk for coronary heart disease.
- LDL Cholesterol Level
Ideally, you should have less than 100 mg/dL.
130-159 mg/dL is considered borderline high.
160 mg/dL and above indicates a high risk for coronary heart disease.
- HDL Cholesterol Level
Ideally, you should have more than 60 mg/dL.
Less than 40 mg/dL indicates a high risk for coronary heart disease.
- Triglycerides Level
Ideally, you should have less than 150 mg/dL.
150-199 mg/dL is considered borderline high.
200 mg/dL and above indicates a high risk for coronary heart disease.
How can you find out what your cholesterol level currently is?
Simple! Use Home Access CheckUp America Cholesterol Panel, a safe and easy to use home cholesterol test. Home Access is a leader in personal diagnostics providing FDA-approved and doctor-recommended medical self-testing products.
How accurate is CheckUp America Cholesterol Panel?
Home Access CheckUp America Cholesterol Panel provides you with results as accurate as doctors and leading medical laboratories by implementing a patent pending method which separates serum from whole blood. Ultimately, the accuracy depends on whether or not you follow each step of the instructions precisely without ANY deviation.
Why should you use CheckUp America Cholesterol Panel?
Knowing your cholesterol levels allows you to take control of your health. You can dramatically decrease your risk for heart attack or stroke by managing your cholesterol. CheckUp America Cholesterol Panel provides you with a safe, easy, and efficient method in order to find out your cholesterol levels. Your results are kept confidential, while you reap the benefits! With online resources as well as healthcare professionals ready by phone, Home Access makes the process very easy for you.
CONTROL YOUR CHOLESTEROL:
Lower your risk for coronary heart disease (and any cardiovascular disease)!
WARNINGS: - Do NOT use if you have any blood clotting disorder (hemophilia) or are taking prescription medications that thin your blood unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
- During sample collection, use precautions to prevent others from coming in contact with your blood.
- If you feel faint or dizzy, sit down.
- Failure to follow all instructions may result in your sample not being tested.
- Use only with fingerstick blood taken from a human.
- The laboratory won't be able to process an incomplete, soiled, or wet sample.
- DO NOT EXPOSE your Sample Collection Cassette to direct sunlight or humidity at any time. Store this kit at room temperature.
- Your sample is perishable. Mail your sample the same day your test.
- Use this kit before the “Use By” date printed on the outside of the kit.
- Keep out of reach of children.
- Use by persons under 18 years of age has not been evaluated. Not for use on neonates.
- Consult your doctor before making any changes to your current treatment or medications.
- This product should not be used during pregnancy or at times of extreme physical stress, such as after surgery or a serious accident.
NOTES: - This product has been cleared by the FDA.
- Store this product at room temperature.
- Avoid exposure to direct sunlight.
- This product is for in-vitro use only.
- CheckUp American Cholesterol Panel is patent pending.
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