Cholesterol is a fat that your body needs to function every day. Some cholesterol is healthy, as it forms part of cell walls and is also needed to make hormones.
There are two main types of cholesterol:
- LDL cholesterol is known as ‘bad’ cholesterol, and can cause plaque or fatty deposits to form on artery walls. If LDL levels are high, it can block blood flow to the heart and brain.
- HDL cholesterol is known as ‘good’ cholesterol because it helps remove excess cholesterol from the body.
If there is too much LDL cholesterol, it can build up along the walls of arteries, forming plaque (fatty material) and causing blood vessels to narrow or become blocked. Over time, the gradual buildup of plaque can narrow the arteries that supply blood to the heart. This process is called atherosclerosis and can eventually cause symptoms of angina or lead to a heart attack or stroke. One cause of high LDL cholesterol is a diet high in saturated fat.
The bad effects of high level cholesterol on our body
1. Effects of high cholesterol on your cardiovascular and circulatory systems
When you have too much LDL cholesterol in your body, it can build up in your arteries, making them less flexible and potentially clogging them. Hardening of the arteries is called atherosclerosis. Blood doesn’t flow as well through stiff arteries, so your heart has to work harder to push blood through them.
The buildup of plaque in the arteries can affect all organs, but more specifically, it can affect the heart, brain, and blood supply to the stomach, legs, or feet.
When plaque builds up in coronary arteries, it can disrupt the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your heart muscle. This may cause chest pain called angina. Angina indicates a temporary disruption of blood flow and can signal that you’re at risk for a heart attack.
A heart attack typically occurs when a piece of plaque breaks off and forms a clot that blocks the entire artery. This disrupts blood flow to part of the heart, which can lead to a heart attack.
If this process occurs in the brain, it is called a stroke. There are different types of stroke, and this is one of the causes.
Plaque can also block the flow of blood to arteries that supply blood to your intestinal tract, legs, and feet. This is called peripheral arterial disease (PAD).
2. Effects of high cholesterol on your endocrine system
Your body’s hormone-producing glands use cholesterol to make hormones such as estrogenTrusted Source, testosterone, and cortisolTrusted Source. Hormones can also have an effect on your body’s cholesterol levels.
Research has shown that as estrogen levels rise during a woman’s menstrual cycle, HDL cholesterol levels also go up, and LDL cholesterol levels decline. This may be one reason why a woman’s risk for heart disease increases after menopause, when estrogen levels drop.
Lowered production of thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism) leads to an increase in total and LDL cholesterol. Excess thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) has the opposite effect.
Androgen deprivation therapy, which reduces levels of male hormones to stop prostate cancer growth, can raise LDL cholesterol levels. A deficiency of growth hormone can also raise LDL cholesterol levels.
3. Effects of high cholesterol on your nervous system
Cholesterol is an essential component of the human brain. In fact, the brain contains about 20%Trusted Source of the body’s entire supply of cholesterol. This fat is essential for the development and protection of nerve cells, which enable the brain to communicate with the rest of the body.
While you need some cholesterol for your brain to function optimally, too much of it can be damaging. Excess cholesterol in the arteries can lead to stroke, a disruption in blood flow that can damage parts of the brain.
A stroke can negatively affect a number of cognitive functions, causing:
- Loss of memory
- Impaired movement
- Difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty with speech
4. Effect of high cholesterol on your digestive system
In the digestive system, cholesterol is essential for the production of bile, a substance that helps your body break down foods and absorb nutrients in your intestines. But if you have too much cholesterol in your bile, the excess may form into crystals and then hard stones in your gallbladder, called gallstones.
