Cholesterol is a waxy substance that your body uses to help break down and metabolize certain nutrients.
There are two main types of cholesterol:
- LDL, or low-density lipoprotein (also known as bad cholesterol)
- HDL, or high-density lipoprotein (sometimes called good cholesterol)
LDL is called bad cholesterol because it tends to build up along the walls of your blood vessels. HDL, or good cholesterol, is beneficial in preventing LDL from building up.
Although LDL is considered bad, your body still needs some cholesterol to metabolize food and stay healthy. Your liver produces most of the cholesterol your body needs, and we get the rest from the foods we eat. The problem is that we tend to get more than we need, and that excess bad cholesterol causes many serious health problems.
4 effects of high cholesterol on the cardiovascular system in the elderly
High cholesterol is a potential cause of chronic hypertension, which is one of the problems that the elderly often suffer from. When the arteries are narrowed by plaque, the heart must increase pressure to pump blood, thereby increasing blood pressure. High blood pressure further damages the blood vessel walls, making it easier for cholesterol to accumulate, creating a dangerous pathological spiral that is difficult to control if not intervened in time. In the elderly, this condition can occur silently for many years before symptoms appear.
1. Accelerated plaque accumulation in aging arteries
In the elderly, the artery walls already begin to lose elasticity over time. When LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol) in the blood increases, it is easier for it to adhere to the inner lining of the blood vessel wall, forming atherosclerotic plaques. This is especially dangerous because the arteries in older people are no longer as elastic as before, leading to a faster narrowing of the arteries, obstructing blood flow to the heart and brain. As a result, older people are more likely to get tired, dizzy, or have chest pain, even with light exercise.
2. Increased risk of heart attack and heart failure
Older people have weaker hearts and their ability to pump blood naturally decreases. When high cholesterol forms plaque in the coronary arteries and narrows the blood flow to the heart, the heart is forced to work harder to maintain vital functions. In this condition, if the plaque ruptures, a blood clot can cause an acute heart attack, and the heart muscle in older people will have difficulty recovering as it does in younger people. Delayed emergency treatment can also lead to chronic heart failure, which significantly reduces the quality of life.
3. Increased risk of stroke in older people
The brain of older people needs a steady supply of blood to maintain memory, thinking ability, and balance. But when high cholesterol blocks the carotid artery or blood vessels leading to the brain, even a small blood clot can cause an ischemic stroke. It is worth noting that in the elderly, the recovery rate after a stroke is very slow, the risk of paralysis, memory loss or prolonged bed rest is very high. Stroke due to high cholesterol is one of the leading causes of loss of independence in the elderly.
4. High cholesterol contributes to chronic hypertension
One of the problems that the elderly often suffer from is chronic hypertension, and high cholesterol is a potential cause. When the arteries are narrowed by plaque, the heart has to increase pressure to pump blood, thereby increasing blood pressure. High blood pressure further damages the blood vessel walls, making cholesterol more likely to accumulate, creating a dangerous pathological spiral that is difficult to control if not intervened in time. In the elderly, this condition can occur silently for many years before symptoms appear.
Cholesterol control strategies for the elderly
Common strategies include the following:
1. Prioritize a diet high in fiber and low in saturated fat
Elderly people should build a daily menu with lots of green vegetables, beans, whole grains and fruits. These foods contain soluble fiber, which helps pull cholesterol out of the body through the digestive system. At the same time, it is necessary to limit foods containing saturated fat such as fatty meat, butter, chicken skin, and replace them with beneficial unsaturated fats such as olive oil, fatty fish (salmon, mackerel), flaxseed or avocado. This healthy way of eating not only helps lower cholesterol but also helps control blood pressure and prevent diabetes.
2. Exercise gently but regularly every day
There is no need to exercise heavily, the elderly can choose light forms of exercise such as walking, slow cycling, swimming or tai chi for about 30 minutes a day. Physical activity helps increase good cholesterol (HDL), reduce LDL, support weight control and strengthen the heart. At the same time, in the elderly, exercise also helps improve mental health, sleep and increase independence in daily activities.
3. Maintain a stable weight, limit belly fat
Overweight in the elderly often concentrates in the abdomen, where dangerous visceral fat is easily accumulated. Belly fat increases insulin resistance, disrupts fat metabolism and increases LDL cholesterol. Maintaining a reasonable weight and controlling waist circumference not only helps the heart stay healthy but also reduces the risk of other diseases such as diabetes, fatty liver or osteoarthritis.
4. Get enough sleep and reduce mental stress
The older you are, the more difficult it is to get a full night’s sleep. However, chronic sleep deprivation and mental stress can disrupt the endocrine system, increase cortisol, and lead to increased blood lipids. Older adults should develop a habit of sleeping on time, avoid staying up late, and limit the use of electronic devices before going to bed. At the same time, they should spend time relaxing such as listening to soft music, meditating, playing with grandchildren, or participating in senior clubs to reduce stress, maintain an optimistic spirit, and thereby stabilize heart rate and blood pressure.
5. Regular health check-ups and take medication as prescribed
Older adults should check their blood lipids every 6 months to 1 year, even if they have no symptoms. Early detection of high cholesterol helps with timely intervention through lifestyle changes or medication. If your doctor prescribes lipid-lowering drugs such as statins, you should not stop taking the drug or change the dose on your own, but should closely follow medical instructions. In many cases, the drug not only helps reduce cholesterol but also stabilizes plaque, limits the risk of plaque rupture, and prevents stroke and heart attack.
