Cholesterol is a fatty and waxy substance that is transported into your blood through proteins. The combination of cholesterol and proteins is called lipoprotein. There are two main types of lipoproteins available in the body.
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL):often called good cholesterol because it absorbs cholesterol in the blood and carries it to the liver. The liver’s function is to break it down or remove it from the body as waste. This is why higher levels of HDL cholesterol are desirable because they help excrete bad cholesterol.
- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL):this is unhealthy or bad cholesterol. LDL carries cholesterol to the cells that need it. Too much LDL in the body can cause buildup in the artery walls leading to artery disease.
These cholesterol levels are measured in the blood using a blood test called a lipid profile. Recommended cholesterol levels and average levels vary from person to person. For people at higher risk of artery disease and heart problems, the levels are much stricter.
Cholesterol is important for the body because it is essential for the body to function normally. It helps make cell membranes, hormones, and vitamin D. However, too much cholesterol, especially LDL, can be a problem. The main cholesterol problem is caused by high levels of this type of cholesterol in the body.
What dangerous conditions can high cholesterol lead to?
The vascular system is like the body’s main transportation network, transporting oxygen, nutrients, and blood to each cell. If it is blocked, even a small part, it can cause systemic consequences, even life-threatening if not controlled. Although in the early stages, narrowed blood vessels due to plaque may not cause obvious symptoms, in the long term, it increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, limb amputation, and high blood pressure.
Here are four dangerous conditions that high cholesterol can cause:
1. Coronary artery disease
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the most common consequences of atherosclerosis and is also the leading cause of death in many countries. This condition occurs when cholesterol plaques build up in the coronary arteries, which are the blood vessels responsible for feeding the heart.
When blood flow to the heart is restricted, the heart does not receive enough oxygen and nutrients. The patient may begin to feel chest pain when exerting, shortness of breath, or fatigue. In more severe stages, the plaque can rupture, forming a blood clot and causing a complete blockage, leading to a heart attack.
It is worth noting that CAD does not only affect older people. Many young people, due to genetics, unhealthy diets, or smoking habits, can also develop cardiovascular disease early without knowing it.
2. Carotid artery disease
Not only the heart, the brain also depends on a steady blood flow to maintain alertness, memory, and thinking. When cholesterol plaques form in the carotid arteries (large vessels on both sides of the neck that carry blood to the front of the brain), the risk of ischemic stroke increases significantly.
Carotid artery disease often progresses silently, without symptoms until blood flow is suddenly blocked. When this happens, an area of the brain is deprived of oxygen and begins to die within minutes. The consequences can be hemiplegia, speech disorders, loss of vision, or in many cases, death.
Notably, transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), which feel like mini-strokes, can be an early warning sign. If detected and controlled promptly, a full-blown stroke can be avoided in the future.
3. Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
Atherosclerosis doesn’t just affect the heart or brain; it can also occur in the arms and legs, a condition called peripheral artery disease (PAD). When the arteries that supply blood to the legs become narrowed, the patient will feel pain or cramps in the calves when walking, which improves when they stop moving.
PAD often doesn’t cause symptoms until the artery is more than 60% blocked, which makes early diagnosis and treatment difficult. Left untreated, PAD can progress to chronic limb ischemia, causing ulcers, gangrene, and in severe cases, amputation.
PAD and CAD share risk factors such as high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, and lack of exercise. Therefore, people with one condition need to be thoroughly tested to detect the other.
4. High blood pressure
Cholesterol plaques not only block blood flow, but also cause artery walls to lose their elasticity. When arteries harden and narrow, the heart has to work harder to pump blood throughout the body, which leads to high blood pressure.
High blood pressure and high cholesterol often go hand in hand, forming a dangerous duo that increases the burden on the heart and blood vessels. Over time, high blood pressure damages the lining of blood vessels, making plaque buildup even easier.
