High cholesterol levels usually cause no obvious symptoms. As a result, people are often unaware that they have high cholesterol before a screening test shows abnormal results.
High cholesterol levels can have harmful effects on the body, but people can take steps to lower it. In some cases, doctors may also prescribe medication.
Read on to learn about the effects of high cholesterol, as well as the causes and treatment options.
Cholesterol is a fatty substance that makes the liver. Its features include:
- a component of bile acids, which helps in the digestion of fatty foods
- being the precursor of steroid hormones
- helps to make the skin vitamin D when exposed to sunlight
- plays a key role in cell membrane health
Since the body can make all the cholesterol it uses for these functions, people do not need to get it from their diet. As long as the body has cholesterol in the right amounts, this substance is beneficial. However, it becomes a risk factor for several conditions when there are too many of them.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that the two main types of cholesterol are the following:
Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol
People sometimes call it ‘bad’ cholesterol. High LDL levels cause plaque to build up in the blood vessels and narrow them. This narrowing can lead to stroke, heart attacks and other problems.
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol
People sometimes call it ‘good’ cholesterol. Therefore, low HDL levels can also be a health problem.
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), high levels of LDL cholesterol usually do not cause symptoms. As a result, individuals are often unaware of the high levels until they get their results from a cholesterol test.
However, the NHLBI notes that some people with very high levels may experience gray-white rings around the corneas in their eyes or have greasy bumps on their skin.
The CDC mentions that about 38% of people in the United States have high cholesterol, so it is important to do some research from time to time. The diagnosis and treatment of this condition can help prevent serious problems.
Over time, high cholesterol can lead to the development of atherosclerosis, note the NHLBI.
In this condition, plaque accumulates in blood vessels in the body. Once the plaque obstructs blood flow, it can lead to the following:
A 2014 study found that high cholesterol and high blood pressure may work together to contribute to the development of coronary heart disease. The authors reported that people with the highest cholesterol and blood pressure levels had the greatest risk of death due to the condition.
Doctors usually categorize a person’s total cholesterol according to the following series:
The optimal levels of LDL cholesterol are less than 100 mg / dl, while HDL cholesterol levels should ideally be 60 mg / dl or higher.
The NHLBI reports that the following factors can cause abnormal cholesterol levels:
- Diet and lifestyle: These factors, which are the most common cause, include physical inactivity, smoking and eating an unbalanced diet.
- Certain medications: Some drugs can increase LDL cholesterol levels or lower HDL cholesterol levels. Examples include chemotherapy drugs for cancer and beta-blockers to lower high blood pressure.
- Gene: People may have a tendency to have high levels of LDL cholesterol.
In addition, some conditions are associated with abnormal levels of cholesterol. These conditions include:
- Diabetes: High cholesterol is common in people with this disease.
- Hypothyroidism: This condition occurs when the thyroid gland does not make enough hormones. Signs of the condition include high levels of LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol.
- Metabolic syndrome: Metabolic syndrome is a group of risk factors that increase the likelihood of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. A low level of HDL cholesterol is one of the risk factors.
The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that people follow the following habits to lower their cholesterol.
Eat a heart-healthy diet
A heart-healthy diet includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, fish, poultry, low-fat dairy products and non-tropical vegetable oils. It also involves limiting foods high in salt and sugar, along with red and processed meats.
The best dietary practice to lower cholesterol is to avoid saturated and trans fats, which are found in various food sources, such as fatty meats and packaged foods.
Exercise regularly
A sedentary lifestyle lowers HDL cholesterol – an effect that raises LDL cholesterol. Exercising at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity per week can lower total cholesterol and blood pressure.
Quit smoking, if applicable
Smoking a person with high cholesterol further increases the risk of coronary arteries.
Quitting smoking can increase HDL cholesterol and lower LDL cholesterol.
Since smoking is also harmful, non-smokers should avoid exposure where possible.
Achieve or maintain a moderate weight
Overweight and obesity raise LDL cholesterol and lower HDL cholesterol. Losing as little as 5-10% of your body weight can improve your cholesterol levels.
Doctors prescribe different types of medicine to lower cholesterol. The CDC lists the following:
- Statines: These drugs reduce the production of LDL cholesterol in the liver and increase the ability to remove this drug.
- National: This B vitamin raises HDL cholesterol while lowering LDL cholesterol.
- Bile acid binders: These molecules remove bile acids, which help lower cholesterol.
- Injectable medicine: Doctors use these drugs mainly for people with a genetic condition that causes very high levels of LDL cholesterol.
Anyone with cholesterol levels that do not fall within the desired range should visit a doctor.
The person’s treatment options will depend on how high their cholesterol levels are and whether they have other risk factors for heart attack or stroke.
The CDC reports that doctors may prescribe drugs for people who have an LDL cholesterol level of at least 190 mg / dl without risk factors or at least 70 mg / dl with risk factors.
Since there are no symptoms of high cholesterol, people can have it without being aware of it.
The most common cause is unhealthy habits, so doctors usually recommend making certain lifestyle changes. These include practices such as eating a nutritious diet, exercising regularly and quitting smoking.
Doctors also prescribe medicine for certain individuals. Someone with high cholesterol should visit their doctor to get a personalized treatment plan.