Atherogenic Coefficient - What Is It? What Is The Norm?

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Atherogenic coefficient - what is it? What is the norm?

Any average person knows that high blood cholesterol is “bad”. Possessing a rather meager amount of knowledge on the subject, barely seeing in the column "total cholesterol" or "HDL-cholesterol" the result is higher than the norm (before having obtained information about the interpretation of analyzes on questionable sites), a person goes on a strict diet or, even worse, begins to engage in self-medication and takes statin drugs.

Meanwhile, it is necessary to evaluate the results of laboratory tests and correctly interpret them according to special rules. Separate description columns will not allow making a correct conclusion about the processes taking place in the body. To talk about the risk of developing atherosclerosis and other diseases directly or indirectly caused by an increased level of “bad” cholesterol, a special value has been introduced in medical practice: the coefficient of atherogenicity.

Content:

• What is the coefficient of atherogenicity in the blood test?
• Atherogenic coefficient rate
• Increased coefficient of atherogenicity, what to do?
• What factors can affect the result of the analysis?

What is the coefficient of atherogenicity in the blood test?

The coefficient of atherogenicity is a balance of "good" cholesterol and total cholesterol, which in the future can go into a bound state (LDL), is their proportional ratio.

What is this ratio? On a general, everyday level, everyone knows that there is “bad” (or LDL-cholesterol) and “good” (HDL-cholesterol) cholesterol. The complex molecules of good cholesterol are too large to be absorbed into the tissues; they “collect” the molecules of the “bad” fatty alcohol and send them to the liver for processing. On the contrary, "bad" cholesterol is deposited on the walls of blood vessels and forms plaques, narrowing the lumen of the blood vessel and impairing blood circulation. In addition, total cholesterol, that is, a substance in an unbound state, also circulates in the blood.

At the moment, this is the most accurate indicator of the state of lipid (fat) metabolism in the body and an assessment of the risk of atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases (although the role of fatty alcohol in the development of pathologies of this kind is controversial).

In addition, the definition of this indicator can be informative in the following cases:

• Diagnostics of diseases of the thyroid gland and liver;
• Controlling cholesterol dynamics (with drug therapy);
• During the initial preventive examination of the patient.

Atherogenic coefficient rate

When calculating the coefficient of atherogenicity, experts use a simple formula:

Atherogenic coefficient (Atherogenic index) = (Total cholesterol - HDL) / HDL

* HDL - high density lipoproteins.

The norm of the atherogenic index varies from laboratory to laboratory; in general, this indicator is normal in the range from 2 to 2.5 units (but not higher than 3.2 for women and 3.5 for men). An indicator above the specified norm may indicate the presence of atherosclerosis. However, the coefficient alone does not allow us to accurately assert the presence of the disease.

If the atherogenic index is below the specified norm, this is not a cause for concern. This result is irrelevant.

Increased coefficient of atherogenicity, what to do?

If the results of laboratory tests have revealed a high coefficient, this indicates that the body produces mainly "bad" cholesterol. Despite the lack of evidence about the direct and main role of fatty alcohol in the formation of cardiovascular diseases and pathologies, it is not worth the risk. Measures should be taken to normalize the indicator immediately.

This can be done in two ways:

• Change your lifestyle and diet.
• Start taking specialized medications.

Lifestyle

The increase in the index is due to a number of reasons:

• The presence of bad habits (smoking, alcohol abuse, drug use). Psychoactive substances "inhibit" normal fat metabolism and disrupt fat synthesis.
• Sedentary lifestyle. Physical inactivity leads to stagnant processes. Fats and fatty complexes are synthesized too actively.

From this we can conclude that in order to normalize the index, you need:

• Lead a more active lifestyle. Feasible physical activity can normalize the concentration of cholesterol in the blood and lipid metabolism. A healthy person is recommended to conduct 4 sessions during a week, 35-40 minutes each. If you have a history of diseases, you should consult a doctor to exclude contraindications and select the optimal mode of physical activity.
• Give up addictions.

Diet

It is advisable to limit the use or completely abandon the following foods:

• Sausages;
• Fatty fermented milk products (sour cream, cream, butter);
• Trans fat-rich foods (margarine, palm oil spreads, etc.)

On the contrary, you should include in the diet:

• Fish. Cod, hake, flounder and others. Frying should be avoided, giving preference to cooking.
• Nuts (almonds, walnuts). Nuts contain monounsaturated fatty compounds and can reduce blood cholesterol.
• Fruits vegetables. Especially beets. Potatoes are not recommended.
• Chocolate and green tea.
• Garlic.
• Cereals.

And also other products containing fats of vegetable, not animal origin.

Read more: How to lower cholesterol at home without medication?

Taking medications is another way to lower the atherogenic index. However, statins (drugs to lower cholesterol) have many side effects and should be taken strictly on the advice of a doctor and in a very limited number of cases.

What factors can affect the result of the analysis?

The result will exceed normal values if:

• The patient sits on a strict diet for a long time (close to fasting). To avoid depletion, the body begins to break down fat stores. Lipids enter the bloodstream and can artificially increase the index.
• Taking hormonal drugs (steroids).
• Nicotine addiction.
• Peak hormone-dependent conditions. Pregnancy, menstruation, menopause.

The result will be below normal if:

• The patient is on a cholesterol diet.
• The patient is taking statin drugs.
• The patient is actively involved in sports (which is rather controversial).

Thus, the atherogenic index (or coefficient) is the proportion of total cholesterol to high density lipoprotein complex. The indicator characterizes the lipoprotein balance in the body and can help in determining the early stages of atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases caused by an increased concentration of cholesterol in the blood.

The author of the article: Kuzmina Vera Valerievna | Endocrinologist, nutritionist

Education: Diploma of the Russian State Medical University named after NI Pirogov with a degree in General Medicine (2004). Residency at Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry, diploma in Endocrinology (2006).