Things To Consider for Working Professionals with High Cholesterol

Did you know that, according to the most recent survey results, more than a quarter of Irish individuals aged 50 and above have both high blood pressure and high cholesterol? The easiest maths is that 4 out of 5 people have it. Moreover, it is most prevalent for high-blood pressure to co-occur with cholesterol. So individuals are usually multimorbid with cholesterol.

Individuals with high cholesterol levels are twice as likely as those with normal cholesterol levels to develop heart disease. In Ireland, cholesterol is regarded as one of the leading causes of death, with over 30% of deaths attributed to illnesses induced by high cholesterol and high blood pressure, most notably stroke and pancreatitis.

What Is Cholesterol?

Many individuals mistake cholesterol for a sort of fat, which is not the case. Cholesterol is a form of animal sterol that is naturally produced in the liver and found in body fat. It is an important component of cell membranes and helps to make hormones, vitamin D, and bile acids, which aid in digestion.

Cholesterol has two types: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.

HDL cholesterol, on the other hand, is sometimes referred to as "good" cholesterol since it assists in the removal of excess cholesterol from the bloodstream and transports it back to the liver for processing and excretion.

LDL cholesterol is sometimes referred to as "bad" cholesterol because excessive levels of LDL can cause cholesterol to accumulate in the arteries, contributing to plaque development and raising the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Cholesterol levels are normally determined by a blood test known as a lipid profile or lipid panel. This test measures total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol. Triglycerides, a form of fat found in the blood, are commonly measured as part of a lipid profile. High triglyceride levels can also raise your risk of heart disease.

Considerations for Working Adults with High Cholesterol Levels

Sometimes people have no clue that they are developing high cholesterol. "Multimorbidity offers considerable hurdles to the complete assessment of older individuals and medication interactions," stated Professor Rose Anne Kenny, Director of the Falls and Syncope Centre at Saint James Hospital in Dublin. Combination awareness will enhance care and ensure that illnesses are not treated in isolation, such as treating osteoporosis without examination."

The effectiveness of diagnosis and lifestyle management varies from person to person, so it is imperative that individuals make better decisions regarding their diet, sleep, exercise, and stress management. Below are some of the considerations for managing cholesterol for working individuals:

Time management: It is critical to balance job duties while implementing healthy habits such as planning good meals, scheduling regular exercise, and taking pauses for movement throughout the workday. You need all of them. Therefore, you'd best make time work for you.

Use your sick leave for minor illnesses instead of vacations: it is important that you rest while you are feeling under the weather. So use your sick leave. You can also use a digital health certificate to get maximum rest during paid time off. The good thing is that you can get a Get Sick Cert sick note, which is widely accepted nationwide. If you are not sure how to get medical certificate online, you can simply ask your HR manager about the concept.

Physical Activity During Work Hours: Physical activity does not always limit itself to exercise; it also includes supporting healthy movement throughout the day. Taking frequent breaks, indulging in healthy movement snacks, engaging in active commuting such as a bus ride or cycling, and emphasising an ergonomic work environment are all good ideas.

Healthy Eating Habits for Working Individuals: Make conscientious eating choices while at work. Bring prepared meals and snacks that are high in fruits, vegetables, healthy grains, and lean proteins and low in saturated and trans fats. Avoid quick food and unhealthy cafeteria selections. Choose eateries with heart-healthy menu selections like grilled or steamed foods while dining out for business.

How Does Stress Impact Cholesterol?

Irish working individuals frequently treat stress as though it were a normal part of their existence. Long periods of stress, however, might increase the risk of high cholesterol and potentially heart disease.

Yet, you may take action to reduce your stress and safeguard your heart. Do you think, for example, you can take a sick leave just because you are stressed out?

Using sick leave for mild illnesses is a smart way to reduce stress and improve cholesterol levels. Since companies acknowledge the need for sick leave in keeping a productive workforce, new technology and methods, such as Get Sick Cert, which offers a telemedicine service for online medical certificate for work, have developed. This unique approach eliminates the need for folks to physically visit a medical practitioner, allowing them to rest more efficiently during their sick time.

A Sedentary Lifestyle and Cholesterol Management

Inactivity or prolonged sitting can result in an unfavourable lipid profile, including high LDL cholesterol and low HDL cholesterol levels. This sedentary behaviour is common among working professionals who spend long hours at desks or in front of computers. Often, there are no warning symptoms if you have high cholesterol. To reduce risks, it is essential to be cautious of mild diseases, eat healthy, select activity and mobility whenever possible, and have regular preventive health checkups.

Author

The author writes widely about healthcare for working people in Ireland and lifestyle management tips. You can find a host of content on telemedicine and how to get a medical certificate online on platforms like Get Sick Cert. Keep reading to gain insights about health and wellness.