Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance in your blood that helps create hormones, vitamin D, and bile acids. However, it is only beneficial on a certain level. Excess cholesterol in the blood can plaque the walls of the artery and make them narrow, which can hinder blood flow, resulting in various heart diseases. A cholesterol level of anything above 200mg/dl is considered high and requires you to adjust your lifestyle to manage it properly. High cholesterol is also known as hyperlipidemia
However, before we go into discussing cholesterol, let’s understand that there are a two kinds of it:
- Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol, aka, bad cholesterol.
- High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Cholesterol, aka good cholesterol. It absorbs LDL in the bloodstream and carries it back to the liver.
In the following text, when we say high cholesterol, we only refer to the potentially elevated levels of LDL.
What Causes High Cholesterol?
There are several factors that can increase your chance of getting high cholesterol. For example:
- Genetic Predisposition: High cholesterol can run in families. If a close relative has this condition, you might be prone to getting it. It can also result from other genetic disorders.
- Diet: A low-fiber, high-fat diet is the quickest way to elevate your cholesterol levels. Saturated and trans fats are the worst of the lot. They are highly concentrated in eggs, liver, shellfish, etc.
- Sedentary Lifestyle: Lack of physical activity prevent the growth of good cholesterol, leading to more retention of bad cholesterol
- Obesity: The more you weigh, the more your liver produces cholesterol.
- Tobacco Consumption: Consuming tobacco whether through chewing, smoking, or passive smoking can raise your cholesterol levels.
- Advanced Age: Older people have a higher risk of getting high cholesterol. As your body changes with age, it produces excess cholesterol.
- Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as hypothyroidism, liver disease, and kidney disease, can also lead to increased cholesterol levels.
What Symptoms Might Indicate High Cholesterol?
More often than not, high cholesterol is a silent condition. It is painless and most people do not naturally notice any symptoms until it leads to a more serious heart condition. However, seek immediate medical attention if you see any of the following related symptoms:
- Swelling on hands, knees, or back of ankle
- Small yellow lumps near the inner corner of eye
- Pale white ring around the pupil (colored part of the eye)
- Dizziness
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Slow wound healing
- Ulcer or open sores
- Muscle cramps
- Discoloration of skin
- Confusion
- Loss of balance
- Fatigue
High cholesterol can lead to various health complications, often starting with poor heart health. So, it is crucial to take appropriate measures to lower your cholesterol levels.
How Is High Cholesterol Treated?
The first step towards managing high cholesterol is adapting to a heart-friendly lifestyle. This includes switching to a low-fat diet, abstaining from tobacco use, limiting alcohol consumption, and exercising regularly. In addition, if your levels are too high or if you have any pre-existing heart condition, your doctor will give you some medication to help lower the cholesterol levels. “In extreme cases, you might also need your arteries scraped off the plaque using minimally invasive procedures,” says Dr. Sandeep Khambhampati, a Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, with 10+ years of experience.