Cholesterol is an essential substance that is needed by your body for carrying out vital functions such as cell building, and the production of hormones and vitamin D. It is a fat-like substance that gets produced in your liver and gets released into your bloodstream. Due to its waxy form, it does not get dissolved in the water and gets carried into the bloodstream with the help of lipoproteins molecules.
Cholesterol is not a problem unless its levels increase in the body more than necessary. There are three main categories of cholesterol, which include low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), and triglycerides. Out of these three, LDL cholesterol, also called “bad” cholesterol is responsible for causing health damage.
A rise in LDL levels can lead to gradual damage to your health. It slowly affects the functioning of your blood vessels and heart over time. The LDL or bad cholesterol sticks to the walls of the blood vessels and clogs the vascular passages. The accumulation of fat cells in the vascular passages hinders the flow of blood, due to which the heart has to work extra hard to pump blood through such clogged arteries.
Hyperlipidemia
High cholesterol, also known as hyperlipidemia or hypercholesterolemia, can have a damaging impact on your heart health, as it has to pump the blood with a greater force to get the blood passed through the blood vessels clogged with LDL cholesterol. Increases in the levels of LDL can potentiate the dangers of heart attack or stroke.
Symptoms of high cholesterol
High cholesterol usually does not have any symptoms. One who is living with chronic high cholesterol levels might not even be aware that the rise in LDL levels has clogged their arteries. They may come to know about their high cholesterol levels only when they undergo some extreme event such as a heart attack or stroke.
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is one such disease that is a result of fat accumulation in the arteries. The deposition of cholesterol in the arteries can block the blood flow through them and turn them hard. Cholesterol can also cause heart-related diseases which can impact the quality of life.
The complications of high cholesterol levels do not happen quickly, the accumulation of fat lipids takes years to get deposited on the inner surface of the blood vessels. Those with a family history of high cholesterol need to be careful. They must put into place some preventative measures to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, or related complications.
The only way to find out that the person has high cholesterol levels is through tests. A blood test can reveal that your blood contains high levels of fats in it, which is causing them to get stuck to the linings of the vascular walls and form thick layers that grow thicker with time, and at some point, inhibit the blood flow.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a healthy adult must get a test for high cholesterol done every 4 to 6 years. Not only adults but children and teenagers must also get their cholesterol levels checked, in order to eliminate any risk of heart damage. In addition, those with a family history of cholesterol problems must get it checked more often.
Factors that increase your cholesterol
Lifestyle factors
Your way of living has a major impact on your health. Given below are some factors that increase your likelihood of getting your cholesterol levels high.
Eating unhealthy foods
Foods that are rich in saturated fats or trans fats are detrimental to your health, as they can introduce high levels of cholesterol in your body. Such fats get synthesized into cholesterol by your liver, which then leads to the building of plaque in the blood vessels. Therefore, you must avoid fried foods, fast foods, and processed foods and consume only homecooked meals that contain almost zero to low fat.
Inactivity
Lack of exercise in combination with unhealthy eating habits can speed up plaque formation. When you exercise regularly, you increase your heart’s endurance. Physical activity gets you more oxygen and your blood circulation improves. It also releases more HDL cholesterol, which helps in the elimination of LDL from the blood. HDL carries the LDL back to the liver to get it eliminated from the body. So, regular physical activity is necessary.
Smoking
The hazardous chemicals present in the smoke of a cigarette make the fat turn waxier and stickier, which makes them easily bind to the walls of the arteries and cause plaque formation.
Genetics
If this problem lies in your family, then you are more prone to cholesterol issues. You have to implement the methods of prevention early on.
Age
As you get older you are more likely to experience high cholesterol problems.
Overweight
Those who have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above are considered obese. Individuals with a BMI between 25 to 29.9 are considered overweight. Both overweight and obese individuals are susceptible to high cholesterol, and it is quite common among such individuals.
General health
Some physical conditions can cause fluctuation in your cholesterol levels. Sometimes the HDL cholesterol may fall to low levels while the LDL cholesterol may rise, and it potentiates clogging and narrowing of the blood vessels.
In conclusion
High cholesterol levels do not cause any symptoms during the early stages, it causes gradual damage to the health. This is why, it is necessary to implement some lifestyle changes which will reduce the risk of cholesterol-related health problems. Some lifestyle changes such as diet, physical activity, routine health checkup will help you in eliminating high cholesterol.
