High cholesterol: symptoms, causes and treatments

Cholesterol is a fatty substance produced by the liver. Its functions include:

• being a component of bile acids, which aid in the digestion of fatty foods
• being the precursor of steroid hormones
• help the skin produce vitamin D when exposed to the sun
• play a key role in the health of cell membranes

Because the body can make all of 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 many 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:

Low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol

People sometimes call this “bad” cholesterol. High levels of LDL cause plaque to build up in the blood vessels, narrowing them. This narrowing can lead to stroke, heart attack, 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 LDL cholesterol levels usually do not cause symptoms. As a result, people are often unaware of the elevated levels until they get their cholesterol test results.

However, the NHLBI notes that some people with very high levels may have grayish-white rings around the corneas in their eyes or fatty bumps on their skin.

The CDC says about 38% of people in the United States have high cholesterol, so it’s important to get tested periodically. Diagnosing and treating this disease can help prevent serious problems.

Over time, high cholesterol can lead to the development of atherosclerosis, notes the NHLBI.

In this condition, plaque builds up in blood vessels all over the body. Once the plaque buildup blocks 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 were at the greatest risk of death from disease.

Doctors will generally classify a person’s total cholesterol according to these ranges:

Optimal LDL cholesterol levels are below 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 an unbalanced diet.
• Certain drugs: Certain medications can increase LDL cholesterol levels or decrease HDL cholesterol levels. Examples include chemotherapy drugs for cancer and beta blockers to lower high blood pressure.
• Genoa: People can inherit a tendency to have high levels of LDL cholesterol.

Additionally, certain conditions are associated with abnormal cholesterol levels. These conditions include:

• Diabetes: High cholesterol is common in people with this condition.
• Hypothyroidism: This condition occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones. Signs of the disease 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. One of the risk factors is low HDL cholesterol.

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that people follow the habits below 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 means limiting foods high in salt and sugar, as well as red and processed meats.

The best dietary practice for lowering cholesterol is to avoid saturated and trans fats, which are found in a variety of food sources, such as fatty meats and packaged foods.

Regular exercise

A sedentary lifestyle lowers HDL cholesterol – an effect that increases LDL cholesterol. Doing at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week can lower total cholesterol and blood pressure.

Stop smoking, if applicable

When a person with high cholesterol smokes, it further increases their risk for coronary heart disease.

Quitting smoking can raise HDL cholesterol and lower LDL cholesterol.

Since second-hand smoke is also harmful, non-smokers should avoid exposure whenever possible.

Achieve or maintain a moderate weight

Being overweight and obese increases LDL cholesterol and lowers HDL cholesterol. Losing as little as 5-10% of your body weight can improve cholesterol levels.

Doctors prescribe several types of drugs to lower cholesterol. The CDC lists the following:

• Statins: These drugs reduce the liver’s production of LDL cholesterol and increase its ability to eliminate this substance.
• Niacin: This B vitamin increases HDL cholesterol while lowering LDL cholesterol.
• Bile acid sequestrants: These molecules eliminate bile acids, which helps lower cholesterol.
• Injectable drugs: Doctors primarily use these drugs for people with a genetic condition that causes very high levels of LDL cholesterol.

Anyone whose cholesterol level is not in the desirable range should see a doctor.

The person’s treatment options will depend on their high cholesterol level and whether they have other risk factors for heart attack or stroke.

The CDC reports that doctors can prescribe drugs to people who have LDL cholesterol levels 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 knowing it.

Since the most common cause is unhealthy habits, doctors usually recommend certain lifestyle changes. These include practices such as eating a nutritious diet, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking.

Doctors also prescribe drugs for some people. A person with high cholesterol should see their doctor for a personalized treatment plan.