Showing 1–12 of 13 results
What is High Cholesterol?
High cholesterol is a common health condition in which there is too much cholesterol in the blood. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that the body needs to build cells and make hormones, but excessive levels can increase the risk of serious health problems such as heart disease and stroke.
Cholesterol travels through the blood and attaches itself to the protein to form a lipoprotein, and from there, two conditions form:
Low-Density Lipoprotein: Here, cholesterol is carried to the arteries, and when the level is extremely high, the cholesterol accumulates on artery walls.
High-Density Lipoprotein: Here, excess cholesterol is returned to the liver, and it is reused for different bodily functions.
Causes of High Cholesterol
There are several reasons high cholesterol forms. Here are some of the major issues:
Lifestyle Influenced High Cholesterol
Fat consumption: Excessive consumption of red meat or high fatty diary items (saturated fats) or excessive consumption of cookies or crackers (Tran’s fat) influences the liver for excess cholesterol production.
Lack of exercise: Exercise stimulates the needed enzymes to bring down LDL and influence HDL. When you lack bodily exercise, LDL is formed, and your cholesterol forms walls on your arteries.
Addictions: Tobacco provides acrolein in your blood that stops HDL formation, and alcohol increases the level of cholesterol.
Biological issues
Menopause: After menopause, LDL levels go up in women due to the drop in estrogen. HDL also increases over time.
Genetic causes: High cholesterol can be inherited from family too, where the formation of LDL is restricted.
Effect of some medical conditions
Thyroid: An underactive thyroid condition reduces the body’s ability to eliminate fat.
Type 2 Diabetes: In this case, a high blood sugar level causes VLDL, which lowers the HDL extremely.
Kidney disease: A chronic kidney condition increases triglycerides and triggers changes in the lipoprotein activity.
Liver Issues: Issues with your liver can disrupt the normal cleaning process of fat and stop the elimination of unused fat from your body.
Medications
There are some medicines too, which raise cholesterol levels in your body as a side effect.
Examples of such medications are:
- Retinoids
- Water pills
- Corticosteroids
- Beta Blockers
Symptoms of High Cholesterol
Symptoms of High Cholesterol can be of three stages, such as:
1. Initial symptoms
Corneal Arcus: Generally, a whitish, can be gray or blueish ring around the iris is common.
Xanthelasma: Yellowish deposits on the eyelid.
Xanthomas: Yellowish deposits on the knees, hands, feet, or elbows.
2. Primary emergency symptoms
- Sudden chest pain
- Numbness in the neck, back, and jaws, especially on one side.
- Cold Sweats
- Cannot talk or slurred speech.
- Loss of body balance
- Loss of vision (temporary)
3. Secondary and Vital Symptoms
Angina: Extreme chest pain during exercise or in normal conditions.
Peripheral Artery: Artery blockage leading to ache, cramps, and weakness in the thighs, experienced during walking.
Breathing issues: Blood flow reduces, causing breathing difficulties.
Health Risks Associated with High Cholesterol
Cholesterol can be associated with some of the major health risks, such as:
Risk for heart: One can face angina, extreme chest pain, or arterial damage.
Brain function: TIA or stroke can be a result leading to paralysis, cognitive fogs, and slurred speech.
Issues with Leg: Difficulty in waking and delayed wound healing.
Kidney issues: Blood pressure increases with an increase in toxins.
How to Lower High Cholesterol Naturally
For reducing High Cholesterol naturally, you will have to follow some dietary inclusions and exercises, such as:
Diet inclusions: Include whole grains, beans and legumes, and have fruits like apples, pears, or berries. Nuts, grains, and vegetable oils help reduce high cholesterol, too.
Weight loss exercises: 150 minutes of cycling a week, weight lifting, and other aerobic exercises like swimming help a lot in reducing high cholesterol.
Quit addictions: Leave smoking tobacco and consuming alcohol, and get results within 3 months.
Medical Treatments for High Cholesterol
Statins: Popular daily treatment to block cholesterol production from the liver.
Ezetimibe: Blocks absorption through the gut, taken daily.
PCSK9 inhibitors: Available in injection form, repeated after 2-4 weeks, increase LDL clearance.
Bile Acid Resins: Cholesterol elimination is induced, taken in pill or powdered form.
How doctors diagnose this condition
Lipid Panel
Cholesterol in your blood is measured in mg/dl to note total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides. A 9-12-hour fast is essential before the test is conducted.
Medical history consultation
Thyroid, kidney, and liver function are tested here, with a check of their lipid profile. Lifestyle practices can be discussed, and family history regarding cholesterol can also be asked.
Risk calculators
10 years’ risk calculation is conducted to take into account whether your cholesterol is going to cause a heart attack or stroke.
Advanced Imaging
CAC or coronary artery calcium scan, or Carotid Ultrasound can be conducted to understand the blockages for calcium deposit or any other reason in your body.
Physical checkups
Marks of high cholesterol, including yellow deposits and circles around your iris, are tested by the doctor.
Self-check Parameter
Here is a chart for identifying high cholesterol on your own:
| What to Check | Standard Measurement (mg/dL) | Notes |
| Total Cholesterol | <200 | sum of all cholesterol. Desirable is under 200, borderline 200-239. |
| LDL (Bad) | <100 | Optimal is <100, but <70 may be needed for those with heart disease. |
| HDL (Good) | >60 | Higher is <40 in men or <50 in women is considered low. |
| Triglyceride | <150 | Normal is <150, borderline high is 150-199. |
What can I expect if I have this condition?
When you are diagnosed with high cholesterol, it is a sign that you need to be concerned about your:
Heart Health: Need dietary checks, focus on regular exercising to keep your heart functions in the right shape.
Regular Monitoring: You will now have to undergo regular tests like lipid profile tests, blood tests, and thyroid tests. Blood pressure and blood sugar are to be tested as well.
Medicine courses: Now you will have to take regular medicines for balancing your LDL, for keeping your liver functions in the right shape, and to negate tiredness.
Lifestyle checks: You need to quit smoking and alcohol, and you will have to be very particular about what you eat.
Conclusion
High cholesterol can result from many issues, including the medicines you take, your existing health conditions, and also the practices of your life. It is common in elderly people, but young people can also experience the same.
However, when you are diagnosed with such a condition, you need to check your lifestyle and need to take regular medicines to remain in good shape. Doing all these with regular exercise can reduce the risks associated with High cholesterol.