Relationship between diet, blood pressure, blood cholersterol and circulatory disease.

We are all aware that a diet high in saturated fat can have huge implications on our overall health. There are strong links between high blood pressure, high cholersterol and heart disease.
Decades of research have shown that if we alter our lifestyles by reducing risk factors for heart disease, we stay healthier for longer. - http://www.diet-and-health.net/
When our diet consists of high saturated fats it results in our bodies becoming overweight and obese. These are the most common risk factors for heart disease.

Over time the heart and the surrounding arteries become lined in a build up of fatty deposits. The heart then has to work harder to meet the demands of the body. This constant demand causes the pressure of the blood leaving the heart to rise. This pressure overtime results in the arteries becoming thicker, causing them to narrow and eventually may lead to a total blockage, resulting in a heart attack or stoke.

                                                                   

 Cholesterol is transported around your body attached to a protein in your blood. This combination of fat and protein is called a lipoprotein. There are different types of lipoprotein, depending on how much fat there is in relation to protein. Cholersterol is an essential fat to our diets. It is needed for the digestion of fats. When you ingest fat, your liver converts it to a lipoprotein, which is carried through the body by low density lipoprotein's (LDL). Although it is necessary for your body to function, LDL has the reputation of being "bad" cholesterol. When you eat high-fat animal products, it raises your levels of LDL cholesterol, and too much LDL can stick to the sides of blood vessels causing plaque buildup, which can clog the arteries in vital organs. -www.ehow.com

About two in three adults have a cholesterol level that is higher than recommended. Having high cholesterol affects your heart and blood vessels and increases your risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). In time, the blood vessels supplying your heart may become so narrow that they can't deliver enough oxygen to the heart muscle, particularly when you're exerting yourself. This can cause you to feel chest pain (angina). If a fatty plaque breaks off, it may cause a blood clot which can block blood flow to your heart (heart attack) or brain (stroke). - High cholesterol-information (Bupa)

By making small changes to the way we eat and look after our bodies we really could make a huge difference to our overall health and improve it for many years to come.