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In fact, its values are linked to the theoretical probability of suffering a disease related to atherosclerosis, such as angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, stroke or intermittent claudication. These diseases, as a whole, represent the main cause of death in our country and in the rest of the industrialized world; their etiopathogenesis is therefore the subject of intense research. In the current state of the art, cardiovascular risk has become a complex topic, influenced as "is by numerous factors.
At one time, in the clinical setting, attention was focused above all on total cholesterol values, while today - in this regard - greater importance is given to HDL cholesterol and its relationship with the LDL fraction. Triglycerides, glycemia, homocysteine and markers of "inflammation (such as C reactive protein and TNF-alpha) have assumed an important significance in the" attempt to define cardiovascular risk from a "global perspective. These clinical parameters, however - even if considered as a whole - represent only one of the many predisposing factors to cardiovascular diseases, which are also favored by hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cigarette smoking, obesity (especially android), familiarity with these diseases and physical inactivity. Some risk elements are modifiable (smoking habit, blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, incorrect diet, sedentary lifestyle), while others are not (age, sex, family history and genetic factors).
In the light of all these elements, it is clear that the LDL cholesterol values desirable for a carrier of multiple risk factors must necessarily be lower than the ideal ones for a perfectly healthy individual, precisely because the cardiovascular risk - and in general everything related to human health - must be considered from a "global perspective.
For further information: Cardiovascular Risk Diet and Cholesterol Supplements and Cholesterol Drugs for Cholesterol Balanced Nutrition Physical Activity and Cholesterol Fitness, health, lifestyle and prevention ten years after the calculation. The results are valid only for adults who are already 20 years of age and who have not been diagnosed with heart disease or diabetes. These are obviously theoretical calculations, based on epidemiological data and as such to be taken with the "pliers". In any case, in the event that the calculator returns a particularly high cardiovascular risk, the data should still be understood as an invitation to adopt new and better lifestyle habits, as recommended by your doctor.
The calculator also provides ideal LDL cholesterol values based on various cardiovascular risk factors; please note that these values should be less than 100 mg / dL if you suffer from heart disease, peripheral arterial disease (arterial disease of the lower limbs) or diabetes. These values are subject to periodic reviews on the basis of new epidemiological evidence; in particular, the latest guidelines provide for stricter limits than those reported above:
The calculation form has a purely illustrative purpose and does not intend in any way to replace the indications of the treating physician and other health professionals, to which we refer to receive personalized information on the desirable values of LDL cholesterol and on the medical repercussions of your risk profile. .