Cholesterol is a natural substance found in your blood. It plays an important role in building cells and producing hormones, but too much cholesterol can start to do more harm than good. It is a leading risk factor for heart disease, as it causes fatty deposits to build up in your blood vessels, restricting blood flow and making your heart work harder.
What are the 3 negative effects of high cholesterol?
High cholesterol can negatively affect your whole body health, from increased risk of stroke to numbness in your legs. Here are the 3 main effects:
1. Increased risk of stroke
A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when the blood supply to part of your brain is interrupted. If you have high cholesterol, the blood vessels in your brain can narrow along with the blood vessels in the rest of your body. A stroke can occur when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood or a narrowed artery significantly reduces blood flow. Signs of a stroke include sudden weakness, difficulty speaking, vision changes, and dizziness. In the event of a stroke, it is extremely important to seek immediate medical attention to prevent serious complications or death.
2. Increased risk of gallstones
Cholesterol is an essential component of bile, a digestive substance that helps your body break down dietary fats and absorb fat-soluble vitamins. When you have high blood cholesterol levels, the amount of cholesterol in your bile also increases.
This excess cholesterol, along with calcium, salts, and other minerals, can crystallize and harden into gallstones. Gallstones are hard deposits in your gallbladder, and they can be very painful.
3. Increased Risk of Leg Pain and Numbness
Your legs are quite far from your heart, but they are also at risk for complications from high cholesterol. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a complication that can develop when the arteries in your legs become too narrow due to a buildup of high cholesterol.
PAD can cause numbness and tingling in your legs or feet. Loss of sensation can increase your risk of ulcers and other slow-healing wounds. Another common symptom of PAD is leg pain that feels like muscle cramps, especially with physical activity.
Effective strategies for managing high cholesterol
Here are the top 8 strategies:
1. Eat a healthy diet
Adopting a heart-healthy diet can help control your cholesterol. Increase your intake of foods low in saturated fat and trans fat. Increase your intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats like olive oil, nuts, and avocados.
2. Stay active
Regular physical activity can help increase your “good” HDL cholesterol while lowering your “bad” LDL cholesterol. Aim for at least 2.5 hours of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity each week.
3. Maintain a healthy weight
If necessary, losing excess weight will help improve your cholesterol levels and overall health. Losing weight through diet and exercise can help lower your LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
4. Limit alcohol
If you are a drinker, limit it as much as possible because drinking too much alcohol can increase your cholesterol levels and lead to heart disease.
5. Quit smoking
Smoking can damage your blood vessels and can lead to high cholesterol and cardiovascular complications. So quit smoking if you are a smoker.
6. Medications
In some cases, lifestyle changes may not be enough to control high cholesterol. To help lower your blood cholesterol levels, your doctor may prescribe medications such as statins. It is important to take your medications exactly as prescribed and discuss any concerns or side effects with your doctor.
7. Stress management
Chronic stress can indirectly affect cholesterol levels by promoting unhealthy behaviors such as overeating and lack of exercise. Stress management techniques such as meditation, yoga, and deep breathing can be effective.
8. Stay hydrated
Water is important for overall health. While staying hydrated does not directly affect cholesterol levels, it is important for keeping your body healthy.
