What is High Cholesterol?
High cholesterol means having too much cholesterol in your blood. Cholesterol is carried through your blood attached to proteins, called lipoproteins. There are two main types of cholesterol:
1. Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL): Often referred to as “bad” cholesterol, LDL can build up on the walls of your arteries, making them hard and narrow. This buildup is known as plaque, and it can reduce or block blood flow, leading to heart problems.
2. High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL): Known as “good” cholesterol, HDL helps carry cholesterol from other parts of your body back to your liver. The liver then removes cholesterol from your body. High levels of HDL can reduce the risk of heart disease.Having high levels of LDL cholesterol or low levels of HDL cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, and other health issues.
High Cholesterol Symptoms
One of the reasons high cholesterol is dangerous is because it often has no symptoms. Many people do not realize they have high cholesterol until they experience a serious event like a heart attack or stroke. However, there are some signs that may indicate high cholesterol: 1. Chest Pain: Also known as angina, chest pain can occur when the arteries that supply your heart with blood are affected. This pain may feel like pressure or squeezing in your chest and is a warning sign that your heart is not getting enough oxygen-rich blood. 2. Numbness or Coldness: You might feel numbness or coldness in your limbs, such as your legs or arms. This happens because reduced blood flow makes it harder for blood to reach these areas, indicating that your arteries may be blocked. 3. Xanthomas: These are yellowish deposits of cholesterol that can form under the skin. They often appear around the eyes, elbows, knees, and tendons. Xanthomas are visible lumps or patches that can indicate high levels of cholesterol in your blood.
What causes High Cholesterol?
Understanding what causes high cholesterol is crucial for prevention and management. Here are some common causes:
1. Poor Diet
Eating too much saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol can raise your cholesterol levels. Foods high in these fats include red meat, full-fat dairy products, and processed foods. A diet high in these can lead to an increase in LDL cholesterol.
2. Lack of Physical Activity
Not getting enough exercise can increase LDL cholesterol and decrease HDL cholesterol. Regular physical activity helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels by increasing HDL cholesterol and lowering LDL cholesterol.
3. Obesity
Being overweight or obese can raise your LDL cholesterol while lowering HDL cholesterol. Excess weight can also increase your overall cholesterol levels, making it important to maintain a healthy weight.
4. Genetics
High cholesterol can run in families. If your parents or close relatives have high cholesterol, you are more likely to have it as well. This genetic factor can make it more challenging to manage cholesterol levels.
5. Age and Gender
As you age, your cholesterol levels naturally rise. Before menopause, women tend to have lower total cholesterol levels than men of the same age, but after menopause, women’s LDL cholesterol levels often increase.
Complications of High Cholesterol
Excessive cholesterol levels need to be managed properly. If left untreated, cholesterol can accumulate on the walls of the arteries and form plaques, causing the arteries to narrow. This condition is known as atherosclerosis.
If atherosclerosis is not treated, it can block blood flow and lead to serious complications, such as:
- Coronary heart disease
- Heart attack
- Kidney disease
- Peripheral artery disease
- Stroke
- High blood pressure
- Gallstones
Hypercholesterolemia, which means high cholesterol, can impact the reproductive capacity of both men and women. In women, it can disrupt hormones, making fertilisation difficult. In men, it can reduce seminal volume and affect morphology
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