Cholesterol and the cardiovascular system, a combination that has become inseparable in recent years. So much so that the concept has passed that it is enough to have low cholesterol to have a healthy heart and not risk a heart attack. But is it really so? These 7 tests reveal if the heart is sick and if we risk a heart attack or if our heart is bursting with health. They are tests that do not only concern the level of cholesterol, but other fundamental components present not only in the body. And an examination that any of us will be able to do may come as a surprise, which does not concern components of the organism, but a very particular measure.
These 7 tests reveal if the heart is sick and if we risk a heart attack
If we have doubts about the health of our heart, if we really want to know what the risks of heart attack are, the cholesterol test is not enough. It is necessary to take other exams. First of all it is important to know the percentage of good cholesterol (HDL) on the total of our cholesterol, that is the HDL / total cholesterol test. According to the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, this ratio should be above 25%. Remember that even a low level of cholesterol in the blood can be harmful. So be careful not to eliminate this molecule from the body that defends us from Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Another ratio to consider is that of the ratio between triglycerides and HDL which should be around 2. Today, medicine believes that this ratio is one of the most valid indices of possible heart disease.
Fasting insulin levels are another important factor to consider. In fact, a diet rich in refined carbohydrates and sugars promotes cardiovascular disease. Consequently, blood sugar levels must also be monitored.
The iron
Blood iron levels can also be dangerous if elevated. High amounts of iron in our body can cause damage to blood vessels and lead to heart disease. Homocysteine is another substance that if in high levels can create imbalances in the cardiovascular system. To find out the level of homocysteine in the blood, ask the doctor to include this detection in the analysis phase.
Finally, the last exam, what everyone can do, is the measurement of the circumference of the abdomen. Studies tell us that abdominal fat is a risk factor for the heart. The measurement of the waist should be done naked and one centimeter above the navel. A measurement above 120cm for men and 109cm for women is considered a high risk.
Deepening
With more than 50 years, this activity done 20 minutes a day keeps the heart attack away
(We remind you to carefully read the warnings regarding this article, which can be consulted who”)