Latino Americans at higher risk for heart disease?

We should all know by now that heart disease is the leading cause of death of all Americans but did you know that Hispanic-Americans are 36 percent more likely than non-hispanic whites to have uncontrolled cholesterol levels?

High cholesterol directly increases risk for heart disease and stroke. This has been proven again and again throughout the medical and nutritional communities. Now the question has become, "What can we do about it?" 

The fight against high cholesterol begins by understanding what it is and where it comes from. It is important to know that there are two types of cholesterol present in our bodies; LDL and HDL. HDL (commonly called the "good cholesterol") helps keep LDL ("bad" cholesterol) from clogging artery walls and increasing our chances of coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Regardless of whether it is bad or good, 75% of all cholesterol is created by our own body in the liver and other cells. The other 25% percent comes solely from our diet. Having a diet that is high in saturated or trans fats can greatly increase levels of LDL cholesterol. It is important to note that dietary cholesterol comes only from animal products like meats, eggs, cheese, butter, etc.

So what can you do about high cholesterol?

The single most important step is to see your doctor and get your cholesterol level checked. If your family history shows a predisposition towards heart disease and/or stroke then there is a good chance you can develop it as well. Other than discussing a treatment plan with your doctor here are some steps you can take:

- Follow an active lifestyle that includes cardiovascular exercise

- Stop smoking

- Eat a well balanced diet low in saturated fats

- Supplement with a Phytosterol Complex like La Vida Sana's Cholesterol Control