Cholesterol is a fatty matter found transported through the blood and deposited in different organs of the body. There are two types of cholesterol, good cholesterol and bad cholesterol. Good cholesterol is good for your health but bad cholesterol affects the normal functioning of other organs. Though there are medicines available to reduce the production of cholesterol in your body, it is best to maintain cholesterol levels with lifestyle choices and physical activity.
High cholesterol can cause fatty deposits in your blood vessels, which can cause the blood to thicken and prevent adequate amount of blood flow through your arteries. These deposits can occasionally collect and clot the blood vessels which can result in a heart attack or stroke.
Although high cholesterol can be a genetic problem, it’s usually a result of poor lifestyle choices, making it both curable and preventive. In some cases, medication as well as a good diet, accompanied by regular exercise can help lower high cholesterol.
Causes of High Cholesterol
Cholesterol is attached to the proteins in the blood and transported via your bloodstream throughout the body. There are two types of protein:
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
LDL also called “bad” cholesterol, carries cholesterol throughout the body. LDL cholesterol accumulates in the walls of blood vessel, which causes it to harden and block the vital nerves.
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
HDL is healthy for the body, therefore it is called a good cholesterol. It removes bad cholesterol from your body and transports it to your liver.
The following medical problems can increase harmful cholesterol levels:
- Diabetes
- Chronic kidney disease
- HIV/AIDS
- Hypothyroidism
- Lupus
When to see a doctor
If you are obese, have heart problems or blood pressure issues, you should visit a doctor to check your cholesterol levels. It is advised to check your initial cholesterol levels between the ages of 9 and 11, and after that, it should be repeated every five years.
It is recommended that everyone between the ages of 45 and 65 should check their cholesterol levels once a years. People over 65 who are obese is strictly recommended to get their cholesterol level checked every year.
Your doctor might advise you to do more regular checkups if your cholesterol levels are high. If you have a family history of high cholesterol, heart disease, or other risk factors like diabetes or high blood pressure, your doctor may also advise more frequent testing.
Risk factors
Factors that can increase your risk of unhealthy cholesterol levels include:
Unhealthy diet
Unhealthy cholesterol levels can be caused by eating fat from mostly from red meat. Saturated fats are found in full-fat dairy products like milk and meats, while trans fats can are mainly found in packaged sweets or snacks.
Obesity
People who have a body mass index of 30 or above are at risk of having high cholesterol.
Inactivity
Regular exercise can help you a lot in reducing your cholesterol level. Good cholesterol can be increased through regular exercise.
Smoking and Alcohol
Smoking cigarettes can reduce the amount of good cholesterol, to drop. Drinking excess alcohol can raise your total cholesterol level.
Age
Even young toddlers can have high cholesterol, although adults over 40 are far more at risk of developing high cholesterol.
Complications Caused By High Cholesterol
Atherosclerosis
A harmful accumulation of cholesterol on the walls of your arteries can result from high cholesterol or atherosclerosis. These accumulations may prevent adequate blood flow through your arteries, which may lead to issues like:
Chest pain
High cholesterol can cause discomfort in the chest and other signs of coronary artery disease.
Heart Attack
When too cholesterol gets collected in your blood vessels, a blood clot may develop at the site, obstructing blood flow or rupturing an artery. You will experience a heart attack if the blood supply to the heart is cut off.
Stroke
A stroke happens when a blood vessels is clot which prevents blood flow to a portion of your brain.
Erectile Dysfunction
High cholesterol prevent adequate blood supply to the testicles, which affects their ability to create testosterone for the body. Too much cholesterol in the system can impair your capacity to create testosterone, which can result in ED. In case of erectile dysfunction caused by high cholesterol, there are medicines available like Cenforce 100mg and Vidalista 20mg to increase blood flow to the penis.
How to prevent high cholesterol?
You can prevent being a victim to high cholesterol by making good lifestyle changes that is best for your heart. To lower your cholesterol, you can:
- Consume less amount of salt with focus on fruits, vegetables, and healthy grains.
- Get rid of excess weight
- Keep a healthy BMI
- Stop smoking and excessive drinking
- Exercise at least an hour a day
- Try to reduce stress
