What medications increase the atherogenicity coefficient. Atherogenic coefficient

Antipyretics for children are prescribed by a pediatrician. But there are emergency situations with fever when the child needs to be given medicine immediately. Then the parents take responsibility and use antipyretic drugs. What is allowed to be given to infants? How can you lower the temperature in older children? What medications are the safest?

What many people know about cholesterol is that it is harmful to our health and increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. In this regard, it is necessary to reduce it and eliminate the consumption of foods containing cholesterol. All this is true, but this substance is vital for our body. Therefore in biochemical analysis an atherogenic index is included, which determines the ratio of “good” and “bad” cholesterol in the patient’s blood. This makes it possible to form a correct opinion about the patient’s state of health. In what case can we say that the atherogenic coefficient is normal? Let’s try to figure it out.

The atherogenic coefficient is the ratio between bad and good cholesterol, with a predominance of the bad fraction. Calculation of this indicator is necessary to assess the possibility of developing atherosclerosis and its consequences: heart attacks and strokes.

Particular attention should be paid to how to correctly calculate the atherogenicity index of cholesterol indicators.

There is a simple formula by which it can be calculated:

AI = (TC – HDL): HDL, where
AI is an atherogenic index;
TC – indicator of total cholesterol;
HDL is a high-density lipoprotein.

Normal indicators for men have the following values:

up to 30 years old should not exceed 2.5 units;
from 30 to 40 years old, indicators from 2.07 to 4.92 are acceptable;
For 40-60 years, values from 3 to 3.5 units are considered normal.

As the values of the atherogenic coefficient increase, representatives of the stronger sex are prescribed additional examinations to identify and eliminate the causes of the development of pathology.

When the atherogenicity index increases to 4 units, we can talk about the adhesion of cholesterol clots to the internal surfaces of blood vessels. They interfere with normal blood flow and risk developing diseases of cardio-vascular system increases significantly. At the time of active development of the disease, the atherogenicity index can be several times greater than 4.

Normal for women

Indicators of the atherogenic coefficient in women are lower compared to men, because in the bodies of representatives fair half In humans, the hormone estrogen is present, under the influence of which liver tissue produces less cholesterol.

The normal indicator of atherogenicity in women is considered to be:

20-30 years up to 2.2 units;
from 30 to 40 years the norm is in the range between 1.88 and 4.4;
over 40 years old, the coefficient should not exceed 3.2;
from 50 and older, subject to menopause, the norm is 3-3.5 and is calculated according to the same principle as for men.

To obtain the correct indicators, representatives of the fairer sex should not donate blood during menstruation and pregnancy.

Important! For children under 18 years of age, the coefficient should not exceed one.

If it's higher than normal, what does that mean?

When the atherogenic index increases above 3 units, we can confidently declare the existence of a slight damage to the blood vessels. This disorder can be corrected using non-drug therapy methods: diet, exercise, giving up bad habits.

When the index approaches 4, then we can talk about the possibility of developing atherosclerotic plaques.

Exceeding the norm of the atherogenic index indicates the possibility of developing vascular and heart diseases. An index of 4 indicates that there are already atherosclerotic plaques on the vascular walls and the risk of heart attack and stroke is quite high. Drug therapy with fibrates, statins, nicotinic acid, anticoagulants, vitamin-mineral complexes.

Exceeding the atherogenic coefficient to 7 units requires surgical treatment to prevent disruption of the heart.

If below normal, what does that mean?

A reduced atherogenicity index (from 2 and below) is not dangerous for the body. This indicates that blood vessels clean and there is no threat of developing atherosclerosis.

A decrease in the index level may be due to several reasons that cannot be ignored:

taking statins to lower blood lipid levels;
a patient with excess body weight plays sports;
long-term low-cholesterol diet;
erythromycin, antifungal medicines and estrogens can reduce the rate of atherogenicity.

This same index can change over time. When treated for obesity, it decreases. With heavy physical work or uncontrolled sports activities, it also decreases. And if you just rest well and eat, everything will immediately return to normal.

In men, the atherogenic coefficient may decrease from morning exercises or jogging. Before taking the test, you must strictly follow the doctor’s instructions and not overdo physical activity. If this happened, then we can say with confidence that the man has been eating food low in lipids for a long time.

When treated for fungal diseases with medications, the index will decrease. Erythromycin-based drugs also reduce the atherogenic index values.

A decrease in the level of atherogenicity in women indicates exhaustion of the body. This may be due to the consumption of low-fat foods, that is, during a diet. Moreover, they invent it themselves. Do not consult a doctor. The result is exhaustion.

Sometimes the atherogenic coefficient decreases in female athletes with a significant increase in loads during preparation for competitions.

In addition, taking hormonal contraceptives containing estrogen can lower the index. In this case, the result of the study is not valid and has no significance.

Special mention must be made about vegetarians. They also have a reduced atherogenicity coefficient. The fact is that these people do not consume animal fats. Little vegetable oils are used. With such a diet, the body is in a state of constant exhaustion. A reduced atherogenic index is direct evidence of this. To bring the body back to normal, you urgently need to change your diet and diversify it with foods containing fats. The help of a nutritionist will not be superfluous.

Important! Vegetarianism is especially harmful for children, because lipoproteins are important for a growing body. After all, they are necessary for the construction of new cells and are the basis of cell membranes. Thanks to them, vital metabolic processes occur in the body.

What to do if the atherogenic index is not normal

When low, you need to eat food with a normal fat content. This should be done under the guidance of a nutritionist. An independent transition from a “starvation” diet to eating everything and in any quantity can lead to an increase in blood sugar and the development of diabetes mellitus. The level of low-density lipoproteins will sharply increase, which is dangerous for the development of atherosclerosis.

The hardest thing is for athletes. All problems with a decrease in the atherogenic index should be resolved by a sports doctor. Reduce physical exercise It’s impossible, but changing your diet is quite possible. The fact is that most of the fat will eventually turn into energy, which athletes need to win. Apparently it’s worth thinking about changing the menu and introducing products containing “good” lipoproteins into it.

The main condition for all patients is to comply with the rules for donating blood for tests, and in particular for determining the atherogenic coefficient.

The day before donating blood for analysis, you need to remove fatty foods from your diet. Dinner should consist of simple and light dishes: cereals and vegetables.
On the day before the test and on the day of the test itself, refuse to perform physical exercise and try to do without psycho-emotional shocks.
Do not smoke 30 minutes before donating blood for testing.
Do not eat or drink.
Do not use for a day alcoholic drinks before donating blood for analysis.
Sit quietly for 5 minutes before drawing blood.

To make sure the analysis is correct, you can take it again at another medical institution.

Important! A decrease or increase in the atherogenic coefficient is equally bad for the body. We must not forget about this.

One of the important indicators in a biochemical blood test is the atherogenicity coefficient. Its value helps determine whether there is a risk of developing diseases accompanied by the formation of cholesterol “growths” on blood vessels. After receiving the results, the doctor will identify the reason for the deviation of this indicator and give his recommendations.

Lipidogram - what kind of analysis is it?

This is a blood test that allows you to evaluate fat metabolism in the body and calculate the atherogenic index. More often, such analysis is prescribed to the following groups of people:

For those who are registered with a cardiologist. Such patients should undergo such a study every 3-5 years.
With a genetic predisposition to the development of pathologies of the cardiovascular system.
People who lead a sedentary lifestyle and are obese.
At high blood pressure– Hypertensive patients need to undergo such a test at least once a year.
For those who have suffered a stroke or heart attack, these patients should undergo such a study a couple of times a year.
Smoking and abusing alcohol.
For those who have been diagnosed.

Lipidogram - preparation for analysis

To get an accurate result, you should take the research seriously. Otherwise, the indicator will be distorted, which will cause the doctor to make an incorrect diagnosis and prescribe the wrong treatment. All this can be avoided if the patient prepares for the test in advance. This includes the following:

You cannot suddenly change your diet, for example, go on a diet. All this will distort the result.
It is advisable to stop playing sports 3-4 days before the blood lipid profile is taken.
2-4 days before the test you should refrain from drinking alcohol.
If you experience the slightest symptoms of discomfort, you should immediately inform your doctor. The doctor will assess the patient’s condition and, if necessary, set a new date for the study. This approach is prudent, since the cholesterol coefficient of atherogenicity is affected by any inflammatory processes occurring in the body.
The last meal should be 10-12 hours before the test.

Some medications significantly affect the atherogenicity index. These include hormonal (for example, oral contraceptives) and, as well as beta blockers. If a patient is prescribed such medications, do not stop taking them. You just need to warn your doctor about this.

Lipidogram - how to get tested?

It is important to prepare psychologically for such a study. Experts recommend getting a good night's sleep and minimizing the likelihood of stressful situations. When a lipid profile is prescribed, how to take it:

Do not smoke a couple of hours before donating blood.
It is advisable to conduct this study in morning hours(from 8.00 to 10.00), since lipid levels are subject to fluctuation.
Before drawing blood, you need to sit down and take a breath.
The material for the study is taken from a vein. For this test, 2 to 5 ml of blood can be collected.
The selected material is examined. The result is ready within 24 hours.

What is the atherogenic coefficient in a blood test?

This is an indicator that reveals the ratio of “bad” cholesterol to “good” cholesterol. It helps to identify how great the risk of atherosclerotic “growths” appearing on the walls of blood vessels. Having received the atherogenicity index - what it means, the doctor knows: he will assess the existing situation and give the patient further recommendations. It is better not to try to analyze this indicator yourself. To obtain an objective assessment, you need to have a certain base of medical knowledge.

How to calculate the atherogenic coefficient?

Several methods are used to calculate this indicator:

To calculate the atherogenic coefficient, the formula involves determining the difference between total and high-density lipoproteins. Then the ratio of the obtained value to the value of the “good” indicator is calculated.
The atherogenic coefficient is defined as the ratio of “harmful” (low and very low density indicators are summed up) cholesterol to “good”. This technique is used infrequently because very low density lipoprotein compounds are rarely listed on the test form.

Atherogenicity coefficient is normal

The value depends on the gender and age of the patient. Atherogenic index norm for women:

20-30 years – 2.2;
31-40 years old – 1.88-4.4;
after 40 years – 3.2.

The following atherogenicity indicator is considered normal for men:

20-30 years old – 2.5;
31-40 years old – 2.07-4.92;
after 40 years – 3.0-3.5.

The atherogenic index is increased - what does this mean?

This problem is common. More often it affects patients over 45 years of age. In this case, the value of the indicator can reach 7 or even 8. The doctor will definitely pay attention to the fact that the atherogenic coefficient is increased - what it is and what causes this problem, the specialist will definitely explain to the patient. In addition, the doctor will prescribe the treatment and give recommendations regarding nutrition.

The atherogenic coefficient is increased - reasons

The main risk factor is inextricably linked with a person’s lifestyle. If the atherogenic coefficient is increased, what does this mean:

The patient abuses foods rich in animal fats. This includes sausage, lard, semi-finished products, butter, dairy products and so on. If you consume a large amount of such food, the level of “bad” cholesterol in the blood increases. This leads to increased atherogenicity.
The patient abuses alcohol and smokes. Such bad habits negatively affect metabolic processes and increase the risk of developing pathologies of the heart and blood vessels.
The patient has been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. With this disease, glucose and lipid metabolism are disrupted in the body. As a result, the atherogenicity rate increases.
The patient is suffering. With this disease, the load on the blood vessels increases. In addition, there is a disruption in metabolic processes. All this contributes to the fact that the coefficient of cholesterol atherogenicity increases.
Genetic predisposition. The problem may also be hereditary.

The atherogenic coefficient is increased - what to do?

The tactics of action directly depend on the value of this indicator. If there is a slight deviation from the norm, it is recommended to give up bad habits and adjust your diet. For example, a therapeutic diet is aimed at enriching the diet with fresh vegetables, vegetable oils, nuts and red fish. It involves the complete exclusion or limitation of consumption of foods containing a high percentage of animal fats.

If the atherogenicity of the blood is greatly increased, more drastic actions are required. In this case, they may be assigned medications. When the atherogenic index is increased, the following groups of medications are prescribed:

(Rosuvostatin, Atorvostatin or Simvastatin);
fibrates (Fenofibrate, Ciprofibrate);
sequestrants bile acids(Cholestyramine).

The atherogenicity coefficient is reduced - what does this mean?

If the results of the analysis reveal a reduced value of this indicator, this only indicates that the body is not receiving enough vital components. All this negatively affects the formation of new cells. However, this phenomenon is very rare. More often, the atherogenic coefficient below normal is observed in the following cases:

after long-term use of antifungal drugs;
if a person has been on a strict diet for a long time;
the patient is taking estrogens or erythromycin;
in athletes who train intensively.

Many people know that high level cholesterol, “bad” lipoproteins, triglycerides, low levels of “good” cholesterol are associated with the development of atherosclerosis. In fact, both the change in the content of lipid fractions and the magnitude of the ratio between them matter.

The atherogenicity coefficient is an indicator that reflects the likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases. Calculating the index is especially important for people who are at risk of myocardial infarction and stroke.

Today, another coefficient is increasingly used: the ratio between total TC and HDL cholesterol. It is believed to better reflect the likelihood of disease. However, our doctors still use the atherogenicity coefficient to determine the risk of developing atherosclerosis.

Atherogenic coefficient - what is it?

Cholesterol is a fat-like alcohol that is insoluble in water. Therefore, it cannot circulate through the bloodstream on its own. In the blood, cholesterol is bound to complex protein-fat complexes - lipoproteins. The following classes of lipoproteins are distinguished:

“bad” low-density lipoproteins, very low-density lipoproteins (LDL, VLDL), high levels of which contribute to the formation of cholesterol plaques;
“good” high-density lipoproteins HDL, a high concentration of which protects the body from the development of atherosclerosis.

The total amount of all lipoproteins is called total cholesterol (TC).

Atherogenic coefficient (AC) is the ratio of “bad” low-density, very low-density lipoproteins to “good” high-density lipoproteins. The higher it is, the stronger the imbalance between beneficial and harmful protein-fat complexes.

By definition, CA=(VLDL+LDL)/HDL. Not all lipid profiles contain a VLDL indicator. Therefore, the determination of the atherogenic coefficient is more often carried out using the formula: KA = (TC-HDL)/HDL.

Who should get tested?

CA is part of the standard lipid profile, which also includes total cholesterol, VLDL, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides. There are several reasons for this analysis:

Screening studies. Biochemical changes in the blood precede the development of clinical signs. Screening studies can identify markers of the presence of cholesterol plaques even before they appear. characteristic symptoms. Treatment of atherosclerosis at this stage brings the best results. The first blood test is taken at 9-11 years old, the second at 17-21 years old. Adults should be examined regularly every 4-6 years. The atherogenicity index is determined more often if a person is at risk of developing atherosclerosis.
Diagnosis of pathologies associated with cholesterol metabolism disorders. If a doctor suspects that a patient has atherosclerosis, he will order a lipid profile to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity of the disease.
Monitoring. Patients with cholesterol plaques regularly undergo blood tests for cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, and their ratio. This helps the doctor evaluate the body’s response to treatment and, if necessary, adjust the therapy regimen or dose of drugs.

How to properly prepare for analysis

The atherogenicity coefficient is sensitive to many external factors. High KA values may result from:

pregnancy, cholesterol is not tested before the 6th week;
prolonged fasting;
smoking;
eating foods rich in animal fats;
donate blood in a standing position;
therapy with steroids, androgens, corticosteroids.

KA is reduced:

vegetarian diet;

donating blood while lying down;

taking statins, clofibrate, colchicine, allopurinol, antifungal drugs, sequestrants of bile acids, erythromycin, estrogens.

A false positive result is undesirable, since they will begin to treat a non-existent disease in healthy person. A false negative is also bad. A patient who needs help will not receive it.

To obtain adequate results, before taking a lipid profile, it is necessary to exclude as much as possible all external factors. To do this, you must follow several rules:

donate blood in the morning (before 12:00) on an empty stomach. You are only allowed to drink water;
for 1-2 weeks do not disturb your usual eating pattern;
the day before the test, do not abuse fatty foods, abstain from alcohol;
half an hour before blood sampling, do not smoke, do not physically strain, do not worry;
5 minutes before the examination, take a sitting position;

If you are taking any medications or supplements, talk to your doctor about stopping your treatment temporarily. If this is not possible, it is worth taking into account their influence when analyzing the atherogenic index.

Atherogenic coefficient: normal in blood test

It is known that cholesterol levels are not the same in men and women. Also, the values of the indicator are influenced by age, and in women - by the physiological state. CA is less dependent on gender and age factors, since it reflects not the absolute, but the relative content of individual lipoprotein fractions. But there are still some differences for men and women.

Norm for women

The risk of developing atherosclerosis in young women is lower than in men. However, they also need to undergo regular examinations. Girls taking oral contraceptives should be especially careful. They can increase the amount of cholesterol, LDL.

Norm for men

The atherogenic index in men is slightly higher than in women. The stronger sex is more prone to developing atherosclerosis, so he needs to be especially attentive to his health.

Reasons for a high index

It is usually impossible to determine the cause of the increased atherogenic coefficient. Atherosclerosis – chronic illness, which develops over 20-30 years. During this time, external and internal irritants gradually damage the blood vessels, provoking the formation of cholesterol plaques.

Lipid metabolism indicators react more sensitively to changes in metabolism, but still not quickly enough to be able to name the exact cause.

The following factors are identified that can lead to a high atherogenic coefficient:

smoking;
age: men over 45, women over 55;
hypertension ( arterial pressure above 140/90 mm. rt. Art.);
obesity;
the presence of close relatives with early coronary heart disease, heart attack, stroke;
diabetes;
consumption of excess animal fats;
sedentary lifestyle;
alcohol abuse.

What are the dangers of increasing the coefficient?

If the atherogenic coefficient is increased, this does not yet indicate that a person has serious problems, especially if the difference between the norm and the analysis result is small. This indicator determines the risk of developing cardiovascular complications in the future. It is also not a sign of the presence of cholesterol plaques.

The atherogenicity coefficient is dangerous in the long term. Uncontrolled disorders of fat metabolism contribute to the development of atherosclerosis. Depending on the location and size of the plaques, it can lead to:

cardiac pathologies: coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction;
cerebrovascular insufficiency, stroke;
impaired blood supply to the extremities, which manifests itself as trophic ulcers, in advanced cases – necrosis of the feet;
dysfunction internal organs.

How to reduce the atherogenic coefficient

With high values of the atherogenic coefficient, the patient needs to undergo additional examination and also reconsider his lifestyle:

quit smoking;
move more;
avoid stress;
reconsider your diet.

Depending on the results of the examination, further treatment may include drug therapy or surgical intervention. – reduce blood viscosity, prevent platelet aggregation. Prevention of thrombosis reduces the likelihood of blockage of blood vessels, as well as deterioration of blood supply to internal organs;

- prescribed to people with high blood pressure. Normalizing pressure helps remove one of the few damaging factors that constantly act on the vessel.

Surgical treatment consists of excision of the cholesterol plaque and replacement of the damaged vessel. But more often they use minimally invasive techniques that are minimally traumatic for the body:

bypass - creating an additional path for blood bypassing the cholesterol plaque from an artificial or natural vessel;
stenting – expansion of a narrowed area using a miniature inflatable balloon, followed by installation of a metal frame inside the artery. It prevents re-narrowing of the vessel.

To avoid surgery, you need to get diagnosed in time. In the early stages of atherosclerosis, it is always possible to get by by revising your diet, giving up bad habits, and acquiring healthy ones. The progressive disease can be controlled with medication. Typically, the sooner a person reconsiders his lifestyle, the later he will have to start taking pills.

Last updated: September 29, 2019

At the everyday level, many are familiar with the concepts of “bad” and “good” cholesterol, while most know that an increase in the first, as well as a decrease in the second indicator, can adversely affect health, in particular, the condition of blood vessels. But in medical practice, to assess the risks of developing cardiovascular diseases, as well as for a general assessment of the state of fat metabolism in the body, special analysis– determination of the atherogenicity coefficient, the norm of which may vary slightly depending on the gender, age, and existing diseases of the patient.

Characterizes lipid metabolism, reflecting the ratio of “bad” cholesterol to “good” cholesterol. If the analysis confirms that this index is above the norm, it indicates a predisposition to cardiovascular diseases, in particular to atherosclerosis.

The determination of the atherogenicity coefficient is carried out for the following purposes:

control of drug therapy aimed at normalizing cholesterol in the blood;
identifying the risk of cardiovascular pathologies or their presence in the patient;
identification of endocrine and liver diseases;
as part of preventive examinations.

To calculate the atherogenic coefficient, it is first necessary to determine the values of triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL, and HDL. The ratio of “bad” cholesterol to “good” cholesterol is determined by dividing the difference between total blood cholesterol and HDL cholesterol by the HDL value.

The normal value of this coefficient may vary slightly in some population groups (for example, men and women), so let's look at the normal value of this index in more detail.

Normal for men

The average atherogenicity coefficient is considered normal if its value does not exceed 3. However, to accurately assess lipid metabolism in the human body, doctors take into account some features. So, for men and women this coefficient is different: they say that in a young man the atherogenic coefficient corresponds to the norm if it is not higher than 2.5.

For representatives of the stronger sex after 30 years, the range of normal values of this index expands slightly - 2.07-4.92. With age, the atherogenic coefficient naturally increases and the normal limits also increase. For men aged 40-60 years, this figure should be in the range of 3.0-3.5. But these values are valid for those patients who do not have clinical manifestations coronary heart disease, manifested during physical activity:

pain in the chest area;
feeling of lack of air;
dyspnea;
increased heart rate.

If the described symptoms are present in a man, then values up to 3.5-4.0 are allowed. In rare cases, the index can reach 5, and such cases are considered individually and can be regarded as a variant of the norm for older men with certain characteristics of the body (weight, existing diseases). Even with such high at first glance figures for this group of patients (men aged 40-60 years with clinical signs ischemia) specific treatment is not required.

Normal for women

Determination of the atherogenic coefficient is the most important factor to identify the risk of developing cardiovascular pathologies. Thus, for women and men, the resulting calculated index is interpreted as follows:

To understand the state of fat metabolism in female body, it is necessary to take into account the patient’s age and existing cardiovascular abnormalities when correlating the obtained coefficient with the normal value. Thus, for young women aged 20 to 30 years, an atherogenic coefficient of less than 2.2 is considered normal. With age, these numbers can be in a wider range - 1.88-4.4. With the onset of natural hormonal changes in the female body, the scope of the normal index decreases again: at the age of 40-60 years, it is considered normal if the calculated index is less than 3.2. For representatives of the fair sex who have symptoms of coronary heart disease, a coefficient of less than 4 points is considered acceptable.

It has been noted that centenarians, whose age exceeds 80-90 years, have low atherogenic coefficient values: it rarely exceeds 3.

For a visual representation of the norm of the atherogenic index for men and women different ages Let's look at the table:

It is worth considering that some factors may influence final result determination of the atherogenicity coefficient. So, you can increase its value:

smoking;
taking certain medications, in particular steroids;
prolonged fasting or following a mono-diet;
pregnancy and postpartum period (first 6 weeks).

The following reasons can reduce the actual atherogenic index:

taking certain medications: statins, erythromycin, antifungal drugs;
following a low-fat diet;

If it's higher than normal, what does that mean?

When the coefficient in question exceeds normal values, they speak of a violation of fat metabolism in the patient’s body. This means that “bad” cholesterol unhinderedly lingers in blood vessels, deposits on their walls, forms plaques and provokes the development of atherosclerosis. This happens because there is not enough “good” cholesterol to promptly and completely block LDL and VLDL and remove them from the body. The reasons for the increase in the atherogenic index may be other dysmetabolic pathologies, endocrine diseases, unbalanced diet rich in animal fats and much more.

If the atherogenicity coefficient is outside the normal range (value in the range of 3-4), this indicates a high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, in particular atherosclerosis, which to one degree or another begins to develop in most people after 40 years. If this indicator exceeds 5, this indicates atherosclerotic changes occurring in the body.

Atherosclerosis is a lesion of the walls of blood vessels with the deposition of cholesterol plaques on their internal lining, which can form blood clots. Such changes contribute to vascular damage: they become brittle, thickened with affected areas of the endothelium.

This disease often affects lower limbs: Then the patient begins to feel lameness. Over time, atherosclerosis can significantly limit the motor activity of a patient whose atherogenic coefficient is high and no measures are taken to normalize it.

Often cholesterol plaques form in coronary vessels that nourish the heart. In such cases, the risk of developing diseases such as angina, heart attack or stroke increases.

When atherosclerotic changes occur in the vessels of the brain and the atherogenicity coefficient is significantly higher than normal, patients note deterioration in memory, vision, attention, endurance, etc. In the most serious cases, a cerebral stroke can occur, which can be fatal.

Reasons for increasing the coefficient

The following main reasons for the increase in the atherogenicity coefficient are considered:

Abuse of foods rich in animal fats. This includes almost all the fatty foods that average Russians prefer: baked goods, sausages and processed meats, pork products, margarine, eggs. When a person eats a lot of such foods, a lot of “bad” cholesterol is formed in the blood, which proportionally increases the atherogenicity coefficient.
Smoking and alcohol inhibit metabolic processes in the body and also increase the risk of developing atherosclerosis.
Excess body weight is a direct path to a high atherogenic index value, since the problem itself in most cases arises due to adherence to fatty foods. Obese people who have a high ratio of “bad” to “good” cholesterol are at particular risk of developing atherosclerosis, hypertension and type 2 diabetes.
High blood pressure. On average, 30% of the population of developed countries suffers from this pathology, and the disease increases the risk of developing atherosclerosis due to increased stress on the vessels. Hypertension negatively affects metabolic processes in the body, and therefore can lead to an increase in the atherogenicity coefficient.
Diabetes. In such patients, the atherogenic coefficient is always at a high level, even if the person fully adheres to healthy image life. Increased level and blood sugar inevitably leads to the development of atherosclerosis.
Heredity. This factor is important and can sometimes be the only cause of hypercholesterolemia.
Sedentary lifestyle. Physical inactivity affects the concentration of lipids in the blood: there are more of them and they are deposited faster on the walls of blood vessels.

If below normal, what does that mean?

ABOUT reduced level atherogenic coefficient is said if its value is less than 1.9. But even this fact does not have any special clinical significance and is not considered as a pathology of metabolic processes in the body. On the contrary, such an index value may indicate a high concentration of high-density lipoproteins in the blood and a minimal risk of developing atherosclerosis, as well as other cardiovascular diseases.

This test result can be obtained if the person performed heavy physical exercise the day before donating blood for the test.

If the patient has cholesterol deposits under the skin or over tendons, or ischemic disease heart, but the atherogenic coefficient is low, this may indicate the presence of a rare hereditary disease - hypocholesterolemia. The nature and mechanism of its development are not fully understood.

What to do if the atherogenicity index is not normal?

If this indicator is below the accepted norm, then in most cases no specific treatment is required. Doctors may recommend undergoing additional research from other highly specialized specialists to exclude some possible diseases (endocrine, kidney diseases). In addition, such patients are often prescribed a repeat test after 1-2 months, since some factors (hard physical work, drug therapy) can significantly affect the value of the atherogenic coefficient.

If it is higher than normal, the patient needs to take all measures to normalize it. This diagnostic result suggests that a small amount of “good” cholesterol is not able to block many “bad” cells, which are deposited on the walls of blood vessels and cause atherosclerosis and other related pathologies. The goal of normalizing lipid metabolism is to increase the amount of “good” cholesterol and reduce bad cholesterol.

Often such patients need medications - cholesterol-lowering drugs. The main group of medications used for these purposes are statins. They block the production of low and very low density lipoproteins, promote their removal from the body, and also increase the concentration of “good cholesterol” in the blood.

But not all groups of patients can use these drugs due to big list contraindications. Other medications that normalize lipid metabolism in the body may be:

fibrates;
a nicotinic acid;
cholesterol absorption inhibitor;
bile acid sequestrants;
polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Sometimes a combination of these is required.

During drug therapy, constant monitoring of lipoprotein levels in the blood is necessary. To do this, the patient needs to regularly undergo a lipid profile, which not only determines the final result of the atherogenic coefficient, but also calculates the amount of all lipids in the blood separately. So, if, as a result of the treatment, the HDL level begins to decrease, it is worth immediately changing the medication tactics, since its further use can only accelerate the development of atherosclerosis.

The second important component of measures to reduce the atherogenic index is a well-chosen diet. Its main task is to minimize the intake of cholesterol from food. Therefore, you need to give up products with animal fats, pay more attention to vegetable and polyunsaturated fats, foods rich in fiber, sources of phytosterols (avocado, garlic, oat bran, etc.). The diet should also be aimed at losing weight, which will help reduce the risk of developing atherosclerosis. Therefore, you need not only to carefully select the products that make up your daily diet, but also to monitor your total daily caloric intake.

Regular physical activity is also important in the normalization process - at least 4 times a week for half an hour. But the permissible loads should be selected by the attending physician, taking into account the condition of the blood vessels and heart.

If a person has a high atherogenic coefficient, you cannot try to improve your health on your own. Only an experienced doctor can competently draw up a treatment regimen and select individually suitable medications and techniques. The appeal to qualified specialists is also due to the fact that the patient during the treatment period needs regular tests for a lipid profile.

In order to correctly explain and evaluate the results of individual analyzes taking into account summary data, the concept of coefficient, or index, of atherogenicity (CA, IA) was introduced in medicine.

CA in a biochemical blood test is an established ratio, a connection between good and bad cholesterol, thanks to which it is possible to recognize cardiovascular diseases at the initial stage, as well as the degree of their risk.

Cholesterol cannot move throughout the body on its own because it does not dissolve in liquid. Therefore, it is transported as part of lipoproteins - chemical compounds that are proteins containing lipids (fats).

Lipoproteins vary in density and functional purpose. Thus, complex high-density proteins (HDL, or good cholesterol), clearing the walls of blood vessels of excess cholesterol, send it to the liver for further processing.

Low-density lipoproteins (bad cholesterol), on the contrary, move cholesterol from the liver to peripheral tissues, creating on the inner walls of blood vessels. With a high concentration of deposits in the vessels, obstruction may occur with dangerous consequence– stroke or heart attack.

Very low density is characterized by large particles of lipoproteins (VLDL, very bad cholesterol), which deliver contents to the tissues of the peripheral systems of the body. If lipid metabolism fails, it is important to monitor the level of VLDL, an overestimated value of which indicates serious diseases of the kidneys, liver, endocrine system, heart and blood vessels.

How to calculate CA

To calculate this value it is necessary to have correct data, initially depending on the patient's discipline. There are rules for preparing the body that will help you get real, not conditional, indicators. In this regard, you need:

follow the diet prescribed by your doctor for 10-14 days before donating blood;
do not overload yourself with physical and mental work;
do not smoke 30 minutes before the test;
do not eat for 12 hours;
do not drink alcoholic beverages for 24 hours.

The doctor should know whether the patient is taking specific medications and prescribe recommendations before the analysis, since some drugs (especially antifungal and hormonal) can distort the indicators. Also, the CA value will be biased when donating blood during the menstrual period or during.

If the patient has suffered a serious illness or surgery, then a lipid profile (blood lipid test) should be postponed for 1.5 months.

If these rules are followed, the patient will not have to donate blood again, but will purposefully move forward to establish a diagnosis and subsequent treatment.

CA is found using a special calculation formula:

KA = (total cholesterol - HDL) / HDL

The numerator indicates the value of LDL and VLDL, which is obtained by subtracting the HDL value from the total cholesterol level.

By substituting the obtained values of the analysis results into the formula, you can easily obtain the CA. For example, if a patient has a cholesterol level of 6.19 mmol/l and HDL cholesterol of 1.06 mmol/l, the atherogenic coefficient will be 4.8.

In order to accurately determine KA, it is necessary to conduct a thorough study not only of the components of this indicator, but also of other values that affect the actual diagnosis: low and very low density lipoproteins, triglycerides (neutral fats). Thus, you can see a complete picture of the composition of the blood and the exact amount of all components.

Norm of indicators

The normal atherogenicity coefficient is 2-3 units, which takes into account the error of laboratory equipment. In other words, the amount of LDL should be 2-3 times higher than the value of HDL.

If the KA level has exceeded 3 units, this indicates moderate vascular damage, which can be corrected by diet. An index value approaching 4 indicates a risk of developing atherosclerosis.

When the coefficient crosses the border of 4 units, then it is necessary to start emergency treatment with drug therapy and control of KA in the blood.

A significant increase in CA to 7 or more requires surgical treatment to prevent heart failure.

A reduced index of 2 units or less is not a threat to health and shows no risk of developing atherosclerosis.

With age, metabolic processes in the body slow down, and the atherogenicity coefficient may increase. However, an AI value above 3.5 in patients of both sexes over 60 years of age requires close medical attention.

In young people under 30 years of age, KA is normally no higher than 2.5. From 30 to 40 years old, the acceptable male norm for the atherogenic coefficient is 2.07-4.92. With satisfactory heart function in representatives of the stronger sex 40-60 years old, AI should be within 3-3.5 units. If the index in the blood of men increases, additional examinations are prescribed, the causes are studied and eliminated.

For women 20-30 years old, the AI norm is up to 2.2; from 30 to 40 years – 1.88-4.4; after 40 years, the coefficient is considered normal to 3.2 or less. With the onset of menopause in women over 50 years of age, there is a risk of vascular damage by atherosclerosis. Taking this into account, the KA for older women is calculated as for men: 3-3.5 units.

A reduced atherogenicity coefficient in young women indicates clean blood vessels and is not a health hazard. If a middle-aged woman has a lower KA than normal due to a decrease in HDL (good cholesterol), then in this case there is a suspicion of problems in the body that need to be identified and eliminated.

Increased CA

A cholesterol coefficient of atherogenicity exceeding 4 units indicates the presence of atherosclerotic plaques on the walls of blood vessels, which impede the passage of blood to the organs and increase the risk of heart and vascular disease. At active development of this process, the CA can be several times higher than 4.

The composition of total cholesterol plays an important role. With the same value in two patients, a patient with a predominance of high-density lipoproteins has a normal index. If there is more LDL in the blood, then KA will be elevated and treatment is necessary to reduce this indicator. Two elevated indicators - the atherogenic index and cholesterol - indicate a high risk of cardiovascular problems.

The absence of expressive symptoms of increased KA for a long time can one day result in a serious complication and even death. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly take a biochemical blood test to determine KA.

Reasons for deviations

There are factors influencing the increase in the atherogenicity coefficient:

regular smoking and drinking alcohol, which lead to damage to the internal walls of blood vessels and the formation of plaques that disrupt normal blood supply;
lack of active movements, against the background of which rapid formation of fat occurs;
excess weight that occurs due to excess caloric nutrition and metabolic disorders;
insufficient liver function;
hypertension, which negatively affects the strength of the walls of blood vessels;
diabetes mellitus, in which glucose molecules, passing through blood vessels, damage the walls, on the defects of which atherosclerotic plaques are firmly established;
heredity as one of the most common causes;
nervous stress, which affects the condition of blood vessels.

Treatment of the disease

To normalize the atherogenic coefficient, you need to change your attitude towards bad habits, pay attention to physical activity, and eat foods that do not contain large amounts of animal fat.

Gradual cessation of smoking and self-restraint will improve health and help reduce coronary artery disease.

As for physical exercises, in the absence of additional diseases, you can exercise 4 times a week for 30-40 minutes a day. If the patient has a disease, the doctor adjusts the exercises in a more gentle direction, taking into account the characteristics of the course of the disease. pathological process. Hiking and cycling, tennis, swimming are very useful. Statins, fibrates, bile acid sequestrants.

Low atherogenicity

An underestimated AI indicator is considered to be favorable, since it indicates the correct ratio of good and bad cholesterol in the blood and the presence of healthy blood vessels. As already mentioned, a low index value occurs in young women (less than 1.9), which is the norm considering age. In addition, a decrease in AI is possible if:

the patient is on a long-term cholesterol-lowering diet;
Treatment is carried out with drugs of the statin group;
there is increased physical activity (professional sports activities).

Low KA occurs in people who maintain a balanced diet and physical activity, which has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the body.

For preventive purposes, you need to regularly (every 3-5 years) donate blood for the atherogenic index and, if necessary, adjust your lifestyle: eat right, move a lot. In this case, all paths to atherosclerosis are cut off.

Controlling IA will ensure cleanliness of blood vessels, health of the body and an optimistic mood in the soul.