Cholesterol is a waxy substance that circulates in your blood. You need a small amount of cholesterol to keep your cells healthy. But high cholesterol (especially the bad kind) can cause health problems.
There are two types of cholesterol measured in a blood test:
- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL): Often called “bad cholesterol.” LDL is a lipoprotein that carries cholesterol from the liver to the arteries. High levels of LDL in the blood can cause plaque to build up on artery walls, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis (narrowing and hardening of the arteries), heart disease, and stroke.
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL): HDL is known as “good cholesterol.” Because it carries excess cholesterol out of the blood so the liver can process it and remove it from the body, having high levels of HDL is beneficial.
- Triglycerides: This is another type of fat in the blood. High triglyceride levels, when combined with high LDL and low HDL, increase your risk of heart disease.
8 symptoms of high cholesterol?
High cholesterol usually does not cause symptoms, but there are some exceptions. When your cholesterol is extremely high, the following signs and symptoms may occur:
- Xanthomas are small yellow bumps that can appear on the knees, elbows, and other joints and tendons.
- Xanthelasmas are small yellow bumps near the inner corner of the eye.
- The corneal arcuate is the thin white line that surrounds the iris of your eye.
- In most cases, these conditions do not cause pain or affect normal function.
These signs are unusual. So if you do not have them, your cholesterol levels may still be high. For most people with high cholesterol, symptoms begin when an artery becomes blocked by cholesterol plaque. That is when angina (heart attack), heart attack, or stroke occurs.
Causes and risk factors for high cholesterol
1. Genetics
A family history of high cholesterol or heart disease also means you are more likely to develop high cholesterol.
Although relatively rare, some people also carry a genetic condition called familial hypercholesterolemia, which causes extremely high LDL levels at a young age and, if left untreated, can lead to early-onset coronary artery disease and heart attacks.
2. Age
Because of age-related changes in metabolism, including the way the liver removes LDL cholesterol from the blood, everyone’s risk of high cholesterol increases as they get older.
3. Gender
Women over 55 or postmenopausal tend to have lower LDL cholesterol levels than men. In general, men tend to have higher HDL cholesterol levels than women.
4. Diet
Eating a diet high in cholesterol, saturated fat, and trans fat is known to contribute to high cholesterol levels. Most animal and whole milk products, and some oils that are solid at room temperature, are high in saturated fat. Reducing the amount of saturated fat and trans fat in your diet is considered the best dietary change to make to lower cholesterol.
5. Physical activity level
Low or no physical activity in your daily life can lower HDL cholesterol, making it harder for your body to remove LDL cholesterol from your arteries. Moderate to vigorous exercise can increase HDL cholesterol levels and reduce the size of LDL cholesterol particles, making it less harmful.
6. Tobacco use
Tobacco use is known to damage blood vessels and lower HDL cholesterol, which at normal levels is protective against heart disease, especially in women. There is no convincing evidence that smoking increases LDL cholesterol, but it does create an arterial environment that promotes the buildup of fatty plaque.
7. Obesity
Obesity (defined as a body mass index (BMI) over 30) is associated with higher levels of triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol. While people who are considered overweight or obese using the BMI scale are at higher risk for high cholesterol, people with lower BMIs can also be affected by high cholesterol.
8. Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes (another chronic condition that is sensitive to lifestyle, body weight, and metabolic factors) is also associated with lower HDL cholesterol and higher LDL cholesterol. The reasons for this relationship are only partially understood, but changes in insulin metabolism and general inflammation may be contributing factors, according to one study. People with type 1 diabetes are also more likely to have a lipid profile that contributes to heart disease, even if their overall levels are normal.
