WHAT IS CHOLESTEROL?
Cholesterol is a fatlike substance that is vital to the normal functioning of your body. Unfortunately, too much cholesterol in the blood builds up inside the arteries, eventually blocking the blood vessels. This blockage is a major cause of heart attacks and strokes.
WHAT CAUSES CHOLESTEROL TO BUILD UP
IN YOUR SYSTEM?
It is wise to have your cholesterol levels checked by the age of 35 for men and 45 for women, and then have a follow-up check every five years.
HOW TO REDUCE CHOLESTEROL LEVELS:
A low fat diet and a few lifestyle changes may reverse the process of heart disease and help to re-open arteries that have been clogged up by cholesterol:
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Eat lots of fibre which can be found in fruit, beans, peas and oats.
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Eat two or three servings of baked or boiled fish per week
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Avoid snacks like biscuits, chips, and margarine.
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Make sure you get plenty of exercise, and try to lose weight if necessary.
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Quit smoking and reduce your risk of heart disease.
STROKES:
A stroke occurs when there is bleeding in the brain, usually as a result of uncontrolled high blood pressure. There are five major warning signs of a stroke. If you or someone you are with experiences any of these symptoms,
CALL THE LOCAL EMERGENCY SERVICES
IMMEDIATELY:
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Weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, especially on only one side of the body that does not go away within a few minutes
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Blurred vision in one or both eyes that does not go away when you blink
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Difficulty in speaking or understanding others
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Sudden, intense headaches
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Severe dizziness, loss of balance and co-ordination - especially if other warning signs are present.
If you experience these symptoms and they suddenly go away, call your doctor immediately. This is often a warning sign that a major stroke is on it's way.
HEART ATTACKS:
A heart attack occurs when there is a blockage in the blood supply to the heart's muscles. This blockage is caused by blood clots which form in narrowed blood vessels. If you or someone you are with experiences any of these symptoms,
CALL THE LOCAL EMERGENCY SERVICES
IMMEDIATELY:
A squeezing chest pain, caused by a heart attack can spread up the neck, down one or both of the arms, into the upper stomach area or the upper back.
This chest pain will increase, and could be accompanied by any of the following symptoms:
