In the United States, high cholesterol is a rather prevalent problem. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that approximately 94 million persons in the United States aged 20 and up have borderline high cholesterol.
However, because this ailment frequently manifests without obvious symptoms, you may not realize you have it until you see your doctor.
If you’re curious about what causes high cholesterol, what to do if you’ve been diagnosed with it, and whether or not it’s likely to reverse it (hint: it can), keep reading.
What Exactly is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a kind of lipid found in the human body. It’s a waxy, fat-like substance created by your liver naturally. It’s required for cell membrane development, the production of some hormones, and the absorption of vitamin D.
Cholesterol cannot move through your bloodstream on its own since it does not dissolve in water. Lipoproteins are produced by your liver to aid in the transport of cholesterol.
Lipoproteins are fat and protein-based particles. They transport cholesterol and another form of lipid, triglycerides, through your bloodstream. The two primary forms of lipoprotein are low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL).
Any cholesterol transported by low-density lipoproteins is referred to as LDL cholesterol. You may be burdened with high cholesterol if your blood contains too much LDL cholesterol. If left untreated, high cholesterol can lead to a range of health issues, including heart attack and stroke.
Symptoms of high cholesterol are uncommon at first. It’s for this reason that you should have your cholesterol levels examined on a regular basis.
Symptoms of High Cholesterol
High cholesterol is usually a “quiet” problem. It doesn’t usually cause any signs. Many personalities are unconscious of the fact that they have high cholesterol until they have significant consequences like a heart attack or stroke.
That’s why it’s critical to get your cholesterol checked on a regular basis. If you’re over the age of 20, ask your doctor if you should get your cholesterol checked on a regular basis. Find out how this screening could help you save your life.
Causes of High cholesterol
Consuming too many cholesterol-rich, saturated-fat-rich, and trans-fat-rich foods may raise your chance of having high cholesterol. Obesity can also make you more vulnerable. Inactivity and smoking are two other lifestyle variables that might contribute to elevated cholesterol.
Your genetics may also play a role in the development of high cholesterol. Parents transfer their genes to their children.
LDL Cholesterol, or “Bad Cholesterol”
LDL cholesterol is a type of cholesterol produced by the liver and is often known as “bad cholesterol.” It is liable for transporting cholesterol from the liver to the arteries. LDL cholesterol can build up on the walls of your arteries if your levels are too high.
Cholesterol plaque is another name for this accumulation. Plaque can restrict your arteries, reduce blood flow, and increase your risk of blood clots. A heart attack or stroke can occur when a blood clot plugs an artery in your heart or brain.
HDL Cholesterol, or “Good Cholesterol”
HDL cholesterol is a kind of cholesterol produced by the body. It is often known as “good cholesterol.” It assists your body in discarding LDL cholesterol by returning it to your liver. This reduces the buildup of cholesterol plaque in your arteries.
HDL cholesterol levels that are healthy can help reduce your risk of blood clots, heart disease, and stroke.
A Different Form of Lipid Called Triglycerides
Another form of lipid is triglycerides. They’re not to be confused with cholesterol. Triglycerides are used as a source of energy, while cholesterol is required to make cells and some hormones.
Triglycerides are formed when you ingest more calories than your body can use right away. Triglycerides are stored in fat cells. Triglycerides are also circulated through your bloodstream through lipoproteins.
Your triglyceride levels may grow too high if you eat more calories than your body can utilize on a regular basis. This can place you at risk for a variety of illnesses, including heart disease and stroke. A simple blood test can be used by your doctor to determine your triglyceride and cholesterol levels.
Having Your Cholesterol Levels Checked Is a Good Idea
The American Heart Association suggests having your cholesterol levels examined every 4 to 6 years if you’re 20 or older. Your doctor may inspire you to have your cholesterol levels checked more frequently if you have a history of high cholesterol or other cardiovascular disease risk factors.
Your doctor can evaluate your total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels with a lipid panel. Entire cholesterol level refers to the total quantity of cholesterol in your blood. It has both LDL and HDL cholesterol in it.
If your total cholesterol or LDL cholesterol levels are excessively high, your doctor may diagnose you with high cholesterol. You may have high cholesterol if your LDL levels are too high and your HDL levels are too low.
Chart of Cholesterol Levels
When you’re diagnosed with high cholesterol, it doesn’t imply you’ll be put on medicine right away. If your doctor elects to give you medication, there are a number of factors that could impact the sort of drug they prescribe. With this in mind, most doctors make treatment decisions based on broad parameters. These measurements may be classified as good, borderline high, or high cholesterol.
Most adults’ total cholesterol can be classified as follows, according to the National Library of Medicine:
| Total cholesterol | Category |
| less than 200 mg/dL | desirable |
| 200-239 mg/dL | borderline high |
| 240 mg/dL and above | high |
The National Library of Medicine also offers advice for people with high levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol:
| LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels | Category |
| less than 100 mg/dL | optimal |
| 100-129 mg/dL | near-optimal |
| 130-159 mg/dL | borderline high |
| 160-189 mg/dL | high |
| 190 mg/dL and above | very high |
These figures are, once again, approximate. Other personal aspects will be considered by you and your doctor before settling on a treatment strategy. Guidelines for maintaining a healthy cholesterol level have just been released.
Your body requires cholesterol, including LDL, to function properly. If your LDL levels are too high, though, you run the danger of having serious health issues.
In 2018, as updated by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association, cholesterol treatment guidelines were updated as well.
Treatment recommendations under the revised guidelines consider other risk factors for heart disease, such as family history and other health conditions, in addition to your cholesterol levels. All of these characteristics are taken into account by the guidelines when calculating a person’s overall risk of having difficulties during the next ten years.
High Cholesterol Risk Factors
You may really be at a higher risk of getting high cholesterol If:
- you live with obesity (Saturated and trans fats, such as those found in fast food, should be consumed in large amounts.)
- have a low physical activity level
- tobacco products to smoke
- having a history of elevated cholesterol in the family
- If you have diabetes, kidney illness, or hypothyroidism.
People of all genders, ages, and ethnicities also have high cholesterol
High Cholesterol Complications
High cholesterol, if left untreated, can cause plaque to build up in your arteries. This plaque might constrict your arteries over time. Atherosclerosis is the pharmaceutical term for this illness.
Atherosclerosis is a dangerous disease. It has the potential to reduce blood flow via your arteries. It also increases your chances of acquiring life-threatening blood clots.
Atherosclerosis can result in many life-threatening complications, such as:
- Stroke
- heart attack
- angina (chest pain).
- blood pressure that is too high
- vascular disease of the limbs
- Chronic kidney disease; a condition that affects the kidneys
High cholesterol can cause a bile imbalance, which can lead to gallstones. See how elevated cholesterol can affect your health in other ways.
How Do You Lower Your Cholesterol?
If you have got high cholesterol, your doctor may advise you to make adjustments to your lifestyle to help lower it. They may suggest modifications to your food, exercise routines, or other areas of your daily routine, for example. They will almost certainly urge you to quit smoking if you do.
To assist in lowering your cholesterol levels, your doctor may recommend drugs or other treatments. They may send you to a specialist for further treatment in some circumstances.
Dietary Cholesterol Reduction
Your doctor may suggest dietary adjustments to help you attain and maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
They might tell you to reduce your intake of foods high in cholesterol, saturated fats, and trans fats, for example. To do this:
- Choose lean protein sources, including chicken, fish, and lentils.
- Consume a diverse range of high-fiber foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Instead of frying, choose baked, broiled, steamed, grilled, or roasted dishes.
- When possible, stay away from fast meals and sugary, pre-packaged foods.
Foods that are high in cholesterol, saturated fats, or trans fats include:
- red meat, organ meats, egg yolks, and high-fat dairy products
- Cocoa butter or palm oil-based processed foods
- Potato chips, onion rings, and fried chicken are examples of deep-fried cuisine.
- cookies and muffins, to name a few baked products
Eating fish and other omega-3-fatty-acid-rich foods may also help lower your LDL levels. Salmon, mackerel, and herring, for example, are high in omega-3s. Omega-3s can also be seen in walnuts, almonds, ground flaxseeds, and avocados.
