It is a waxy, fat-like molecule found in every cell in your body. Your body needs it to produce hormones, vitamin D, and chemicals that aid in digestion. Your body produces all of the cholesterol it needs. Animal-derived foods, such as egg yolks, meat, and cheese, contain cholesterol as well.
If you have excessive amounts of cholesterol in your blood, it can interact with other molecules and form plaque. Plaque adheres to the walls of your arteries. The accumulation of plaque is generally referred to as atherosclerosis. It can cause coronary artery disease, which is characterized by narrowing or blocking of the coronary arteries.
Causes
Unhealthy lifestyle habits are the most common cause of elevated cholesterol. This may include:
- Unhealthy eating habits, such as consuming a lot of saturated fat. These fats are present in red meat, full-fat dairy products, chocolate, some baked goods, and a variety of deep-fried and processed foods. Consuming too much-saturated fat might increase your LDL (bad).
- Lack of physical activity, with much sitting and minimal exercise. This reduces your HDL (good).
Smoking reduces HDL cholesterol, particularly in women. It also increases your LDL cholesterol. - Stress may increase the levels of some hormones, such as corticosteroids. These can cause the body to produce higher cholesterol.
- Consuming excessive alcohol can enhance your overall cholesterol level.
- People with high fat may be genetically predisposed to it. For example, familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an inherited disorder that results in extremely high levels of cholesterol in the blood. Other medical illnesses and medications may potentially increase LDL cholesterol or decrease HDL.
Why are cholesterol levels important?
Your cholesterol levels are significant because they help you determine your risk of heart disease. Cholesterol is a sort of lipid (fat) that aids your body in a variety of critical activities. However, having too much cholesterol in your blood is dangerous. It can infiltrate your arterial wall, causing damage and the formation of atherosclerotic plaque.
- The process of plaque buildup is known as atherosclerosis. It can cause major complications, such as:
- Coronary artery disease is defined as a blockage of blood flow to the heart.
- Peripheral artery disease is characterized by a blockage of blood flow to the legs and arms.
- Carotid artery disease: A blockage in blood flow to the brain.
Cholesterol passes through your bloodstream discreetly. And it transforms into a plaque quietly. Plaque buildup is similar to someone tiptoeing across a carpet. You may not see or detect its presence for a long period. You may experience no symptoms until you suffer a heart attack or stroke. At that moment, the plaque resembles high heels on a hardwood floor. And it has already caused significant damage to your body.
You can live with high cholesterol for many years without realizing it. That’s why it’s critical to have your fats evaluated on a regular basis. If your cholesterol levels are abnormally high (hyperlipidemia), this should raise red flags for both you and your doctor.
How to avoid high cholesterol
You cannot control the hereditary risk factors for high cholesterol, but you can change your lifestyle. To reduce the chance of getting high cholesterol:
- Consume a well-balanced diet rich in fiber and low in animal fat.
- Avoid consuming excessive amounts of alcohol.
- Maintain a reasonable weight.
- Exercise regularly.
- Avoid smoking or participate in a quitting smoking program.
Follow your doctor’s advice on routine tests. If you have a higher chance of creating high fats or coronary heart disease, they will probably recommend regular testing.
Lose Weight
Carrying even a few extra pounds might lead to elevated cholesterol. Minor adjustments add up. If you consume sugary drinks, switch to tap water. Snack on air-popped popcorn or pretzels, but keep track of your calories. If you’re craving something sweet, consider sherbet or low-fat candies like jelly beans.
Look for methods to add extra movement to your daily routine, such as taking the stairs instead of the lift or parking farther away from your office. Take walks on breaks at work. Try to increase your standing activity, such as cooking or garden labor.
What additional health issues may high Cholesterol cause?
Undiagnosed or neglected high blood fats can result in major health issues:
- If you have a substantial amount of plaque in your arteries, a region of plaque may rupture. This can lead to the formation of a blood clot on the plaque’s surface. If the clot grows large enough, it can partially or totally stop blood flow in the coronary artery.
- If the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your heart muscle is limited or obstructed, it might result in angina (chest pain) or a heart attack.
- Plaque can also form in other arteries in your body, especially those that supply oxygen-rich blood to your brain and limbs. This can result in conditions like carotid artery disease, stroke, as well as peripheral arterial disease.