HIGH CHOLESTEROL: Risk Factors, Symptoms & Prevention
+ Plus 5 natural ways that will help you to normalise it
We’ve all heard that “high cholesterol kills,” but do we know what’s really behind those words?
According to statistics, every second person has high cholesterol in the US; therefore, we should be informed about the importance and role of cholesterol for our health.
From the article, you will find out what cholesterol is, what its levels depend on, what are the risk factors, and how to protect ourselves.
Cholesterol is a fatty substance that our body produces and is found in lipids in the blood. The liver provides most of the cholesterol in our circulatory system (75%), and the remaining 25% comes from the food we eat.
Cholesterol is essential for the proper functioning of the body.
Every cell in the human body contains cholesterol. It is found in cell membranes and most tissues and helps in the synthesis of hormones, and the production of vitamin D.
Cholesterol is both good and bad. When it is at normal levels, it is vital for our body. But when its concentration in our blood becomes too high, it becomes a silent threat that predisposes us to cardiovascular disease.
High cholesterol leads to the formation of fatty plaques in blood vessels.
These plaques constrict blood vessels and make it difficult for enough blood to pass through the arteries.
The heart may not receive enough oxygen-rich blood, and this increases the risk of a heart attack. And decreased blood flow to the brain can be a cause for a stroke.
Symptoms of high cholesterol
High cholesterol does typically not cause any symptoms.
There is why most people do not suspect that their cholesterol levels are elevated, and therefore there is a high risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
According to the Annual Report on the State of Health of the US people from 2010, among the leading risk factors for diseases of the circulatory system are dyslipidemias (high cholesterol levels).
Serum cholesterol levels correlate directly with mortality from these diseases at all ages.
How to test cholesterol?
Doctors recommended that all people over the age of 20 have their cholesterol levels tested every four to six years. You can make it through a blood test that measures three things:
* HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol)
* LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol)
* Triglycerides
The results of the three indicators form the value of total cholesterol.
What exactly do cholesterol levels mean?
Difference between LDL (bad) and HDL (good) cholesterol
For starters, let’s keep in mind that cholesterol is not as immobile as the fat around the waist. It circulates in the blood but cannot move on its own – it is carried by carriers made up of fats (lipids) and proteins called lipoproteins.
Two main lipoproteins carry cholesterol to and from cells. The one with low density is called “bad” LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is the “good” cholesterol.
You’ve probably heard that LDL cholesterol contributes to the accumulation of fat in the arteries.
The plaque forms narrow arteries, and this increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease. On the other hand, “good” HDL cholesterol acts as a cleanser, transporting LDL cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver. There it disintegrates and is cleared from the body.
Healthy HDL cholesterol can protect against heart attack and stroke.
Low levels of HDL cholesterol raises the risk of heart disease. It is important to note that HDL cholesterol does not eliminate LDL cholesterol.
Only a quarter to a third of cholesterol in the blood is carried by the so-called—”Good” cholesterol.
Why are triglycerides important?
Triglycerides are among the most prevalent fat in the body; they store excess energy from your diet.
High triglycerides, combined with low HDL cholesterol or high LDL cholesterol, are associated with fatty deposits in the walls of the arteries, which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
What do cholesterol levels depend on?
High cholesterol can be inherited, but much more often, it results from an unhealthy lifestyle.
A healthier diet and regular physical activity are the best prevention of high cholesterol, as well as the most effective “cure” for reducing it.
Our suggestion to Improve/preserve your heart health
Risk factors for high cholesterol
The good news is that the main risk factors for high cholesterol are controllable and depend entirely on us.
There are four main things we can do to prevent the development of high cholesterol – to eat correctly, to be physically active, to limit smoking, and to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
• Overweight and obesity – being overweight are one of the most substantial risk factors for high cholesterol. People with a body mass index higher than 30 are at a very high risk of developing high cholesterol.
• Waist circumference – the risk of developing high cholesterol is directly correlated with waist circumference. Men with a waist over 102 cm and women with a waist circumference over 89 cm are at increased risk for high cholesterol.
• Malnutrition – Frequent consumption of animal fats and trans fats can significantly increase the risk of high cholesterol. The first step to improving cholesterol is to eliminate all sources of trans fats. In addition to directly leading to a rise in cholesterol, poor nutrition is also responsible for weight gain, which in itself is also a risk factor for high cholesterol.
• Lack of physical activity – Regular physical activity increases the levels of “good” HDL cholesterol while helping to increase the size of the particles that form the “bad” LDL cholesterol, which makes it safer.
• Smoking – smoking damages the walls of blood vessels, making them susceptible to the formation of fat deposits. On the other hand, smoking can also lower proper cholesterol levels.
Diabetes – High blood sugar contributes to higher LDL and lower HDL cholesterol while damaging the inner walls of the arteries.
Prevention of high cholesterol
The same health changes that help lower high cholesterol levels can prevent you from developing high cholesterol in the first place.
The prevention of high cholesterol is reduced to proper nutrition and regular physical activity, and more precisely:
Eat lots of fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole grains and limit salt.
Limit the amount of animal fats, give up trans fats, and consume healthy fats in moderation.
Get rid of extra weight and maintain a healthy weight for you.
Quit smoking
Be physically active as often as possible. It is enough to start by increasing your walking time.
Prevention is the best health care - start today.
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