You are at a dinner table with your favourite butter chicken and naan for a chilled-out dinner with your friends and family. Suddenly, you see a piece of news on the mobile screen about a 40-year-old celebrity who lost his life to a heart attack after being diagnosed with high levels of cholesterol. All our concentration would shift immediately from the food plate to cholesterol, heart attacks in India, and reasons for the same.
The fun-filled dinner time might end up in a gloomy night.
Unfortunately, with the extensive availability of information through social media, a doctor suggests without even understanding the subject in depth. At times, any remedial or preventive measure undertaken based on random information on the internet can be risky.
Here is your one-stop destination for everything you need to understand about high cholesterol.
What is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in the cells within your body. While the body requires cholesterol to build healthy cells and hormones, too much can create a problem. It is a cell membrane that is associated with various bodily functions. The body produces cholesterol in the liver and gains it from animal-based food such as eggs, meat, and dairy products. Well, animal-based products have less impact on cholesterol levels when compared to saturated fatty junk food.
What are the types of cholesterol?
Cholesterol travels across the blood and is attached to the protein cells in the body called lipoproteins. Therefore, cholesterol isn't always a negative term. In excess quantities, it shall be harmful to the body. There are two types of cholesterol in the body:
- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL): Bad cholesterol built on the walls of arteries creates a blockage for the blood flow by narrowing down the space available in the arteries. This situation can increase the risk of heart attack/ stroke.
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL): Good cholesterol, HDL is built into the body. Higher levels of High-density lipoprotein are associated with a lower risk of heart attack.
Hence, it is essential to have high HDL levels because it supports flushing away the low-density lipoprotein.
What does cholesterol do?
1) It is essential for the cell membrane to maintain fluidity and stability.
2) Hormone production for estrogen, testosterone, cortisol, and aldosterone rely on the cholesterol in the blood.
3) It is also responsible for generating bile acid essential to digesting fats.
What leads to high Cholesterol levels?
High cholesterol doesn’t discriminate. It can affect anyone irrespective of age, gender and lifestyle. However, some factors increase the risk of being exposed to high cholesterol. The following are some of them:
- Unhealthy eating habits are the most common reason for high cholesterol levels.
- Obesity – People with a body mass index above 30 are more prone to high cholesterol.
- Smoking and alcohol can also lead to high cholesterol.
- Medical conditions such as kidney diseases, diabetes, hypothyroidism, and lupus can lead to an increase in unhealthy cholesterol.
- Long-term medication for chronic health issues such as cancer and high blood pressure can worsen the condition.
What are the symptoms of high cholesterol levels?
Unfortunately, there are hardly any symptoms that indicate higher cholesterol levels. The recommendation is to get a cholesterol test from any of our diagnostic centres by conducting a lipid panel test. Since it doesn’t have symptoms often, an increase in cholesterol goes unnoticed.
Here are some indicative signs for higher cholesterol levels:
- Angina – High cholesterol levels lead to coronary artery disease and chest pain. Decreased blood flow to the heart happens because of blockage around the arteries area.
- Fatty deposits called Xanthomas usually form on the skin around the eye and hands because of higher cholesterol.
- A white or greyish ring around the cornea’s edge of the eye also indicates an increase in cholesterol. It is a common symptom among younger people.
- Frequent instances of fatigue are another common symptom which leads to lower blood flow to various organs leading to fatigue.
- The formation of plaques in arteries may eventually lead to leg cramping during any physical activities.
Also Read: Detailed Comprehension About High Cholesterol
Preventive steps:
Prevention is always better than cure. The % of young people diagnosed due to increased cholesterol is alarming news. The reason for this is an unhealthy diet and lifestyle.
Lifestyle plays a vital role in many health conditions. A shift to a heart-healthy way with a balanced diet rich in protein and fibre content is a great way to control. The inclusion of fruits and nuts takes a long way in this journey. In addition, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and quitting drinking shall also prevent higher cholesterol.
In some cases where you are already diagnosed with high cholesterol, lifestyle modifications alone may not be sufficient to improve the situation. Medication prescribed by the doctor is required to reduce your risk of cardiovascular events.
Dietary supplements such as fish, plant sterols, and fibre are of great help. It is, however, crucial to consult a doctor before making any noticeable changes to your diet or lifestyle to get personalised healthcare advice.
Conclusion:
High levels of triglycerides and cholesterol are undoubtedly a silent threat. Leaving it unnoticed is our crime and may create implications for our future selves. Understanding your risk factors and embracing a heart-healthy lifestyle can be some proactive steps that shall help you reduce the risk of any potential heart diseases. Knowledge is power. With the appropriate knowledge and guidance, you can easily navigate the complexities of high cholesterol levels. Getting yourself tested at regular intervals is of utmost importance.
The next time you visit our diagnostic centre, get yourself a lipid panel test done.
Agilus Diagnostics, a subsidiary of Fortis Healthcare Limited
