{"id":5004,"date":"2024-09-05T02:07:35","date_gmt":"2024-09-05T09:07:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/healthsecret.com\/?p=5004"},"modified":"2024-09-05T02:15:47","modified_gmt":"2024-09-05T09:15:47","slug":"high-cholesterol-symptoms-what-to-look-out-for-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/healthsecret.com\/high-cholesterol-symptoms-what-to-look-out-for-2\/","title":{"rendered":"High Cholesterol Symptoms: What to Look Out For"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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High cholesterol symptoms are subtle because you don\u2019t generally feel or see them. You could go your whole life not realizing you have high cholesterol until it\u2019s too late.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cholesterol, a fatty substance found in all cells of the body, is essential for a variety of physiological processes, including hormone generation and cell membrane formation. However, when cholesterol levels exceed the body’s needs, it becomes a double-edged sword, causing serious hazards to cardiovascular health. The slow build-up of cholesterol affects the heart, causing <\/span>heart disease<\/span><\/a>. This is generally when you notice certain symptoms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join us as we look into cholesterol in-depth – the good, the bad, and how to know the difference so we can make healthy choices. High cholesterol is a silent killer that affects so many people year after year and is not selective about who it targets.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"LDL<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What Is Cholesterol?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cholesterol is a lipid, a type of fat your body needs to function properly. It is waxy and made by the liver to create hormones, cell tissue, and vitamin D. The liver keeps your cholesterol levels maintained and balanced as well as protects nerve cells. It makes enough to support what your body needs at the time and gets rid of the excess. There are different names for cholesterol ranging from hypercholesterolemia to lipid disorder, hyperlipoproteinemia, dyslipidemia, and hyperlipidemia.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cholesterol can\u2019t dissolve in water so it needs help traveling through the body. This is where lipoproteins come in, they transport cholesterol through the body. The cholesterol attaches to these lipoproteins as it moves to where it is needed.<\/span>
Low-Density Lipoprotein(LDL) Cholesterol<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low-Density Lipoprotein(LDL) Cholesterol<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

LDLs are also known as bad cholesterol and can accumulate in the arteries. <\/span>LDL transports cholesterol from the liver to cells in the body. This will effectively cause severe health conditions like a stroke or heart attack.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

High-Density Lipoprotein(HDL) Cholesterol<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

HDLs are referred to as good cholesterol. In order for the liver to eliminate excess cholesterol it needs the HDLs to transport this cholesterol. HDL removes cholesterol from the bloodstream by delivering it back to the liver for elimination. High HDL levels are correlated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is High Cholesterol?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

High cholesterol occurs when there are too many lipids in the blood. They accumulate, mix with other chemicals, and block the arteries. This can take many years with no visible symptoms. Plaques start to develop as a result of the accumulation of excess lipids and cause the arteries to harden. This process is atherosclerosis.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If this continues, plaque buildup could block the arteries and reduce blood flow. Ultimately, when the plaque starts to break,\u00a0 this could form a blood clot that could cause a heart attack or stroke.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Blood<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

High Cholesterol Symptoms<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Generally, there are no physical symptoms. You will only know that you have high cholesterol after taking a blood test.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, there is a rare, visible symptom that may be noticeable.\u00a0 This symptom is the development of soft, yellowish lesions or growths on your skin called xanthomas. However, not having these isn\u2019t a sign that you don\u2019t have high cholesterol, therefore, it is always best to be sure by taking the blood test.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The symptoms of atherosclerosis, heart disease, and stroke will eventually start to show. You may experience pain in your lower legs, chest pain, slurred speech, pressure, unsteady gait, fullness, or dizziness. Other symptoms could include diabetes, high blood pressure, impotence, or stroke.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"LDL<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

High Cholesterol Risk Factors<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Family History<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Genetics passed down from family members are high-risk factors. These conditions include familial hypertriglyceridemia, familial combined hyperlipidemia, familial hypercholesterolemia, and familial dysbetalipoproteinemia. If a close family member, such as a parent or sibling, has high cholesterol or heart disease, you may be at an increased risk.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Health Conditions\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Certain health conditions may contribute to high cholesterol levels such as an underactive thyroid gland, diabetes, pregnancy, lupus, kidney diseases, hypothyroidism, and polycystic ovary syndrome.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the most common health conditions that cause high cholesterol:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chronic Kidney Disease<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chronic kidney disease lowers your HDL levels so the excess cholesterol is left to build up. This, ultimately,\u00a0 causes plaque build-up to occur a lot quicker due to the increase in triglycerides in the blood caused by this disease. E<\/span>xtra calories turn into triglycerides. If these levels are not kept stable, your body ends up storing more than you will be able to use.Your triglyceride level must be less than 150 mg\/dl.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peripheral Artery Disease<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), affects the arteries leading away from the heart to your head, stomach, legs, and arms. However, it mostly affects the arms and legs and often displays no symptoms at first. You may start to feel some symptoms when these arteries are 60 % blocked, this is called intermittent claudication. This feels like a leg cramp when you move or exercise but reduces when you rest this is due to the arteries being blocked thus reducing blood flow to these arteries, which may cause pain.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coronary Artery Disease<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coronary artery disease o<\/span>r ischemic heart disease is the most common type of cardiovascular disease. This occurs due to the excess build-up of cholesterol (plaque) in the coronary arteries, causing them to narrow (atherosclerosis). This causes reduced blood flow to the heart, therefore the heart muscle will receive less blood, oxygen, and nutrients. This reduced oxygenated blood flow may cause angina (chest pain) or ultimately even a heart attack. High Blood <\/u>Pressure<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

High blood pressure o<\/span>r hypertension h<\/span>as a connection with high cholesterol levels. Clogged arteries mean that your heart has to work a lot harder to pump blood and transport oxygen throughout the body. That raises blood pressure in your body causing you to develop a high blood pressure health condition.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unhealthy Lifestyle<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Diet<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eating a lot of processed foods that are high in saturated fats and sugar will cause an increase in bad cholesterol. These foods also lower your good cholesterol levels.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturated and trans fats increase LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. You can find these in fatty meats, full-fat dairy products, and some oils such as palm oil and coconut oil. Trans fats are commonly found in processed meals, fried foods, and some margarines. Removing these fats can help lower LDL cholesterol.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Too<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

No Physical Activity<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A lack of physical activity can cause weight gain and impact the proper functioning of your body. Physical activity can increase your LDL cholesterol levels. HDL cholesterol functions as a scavenger, removing excess cholesterol from blood vessels and transporting it back to the liver for processing and excretion, potentially lowering the risk of heart disease.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Bad<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Medicines<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some depression medications, birth control pills, and diuretics can cause a higher level of bad cholesterol. These may also lower the good cholesterol in your body causing an imbalance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Testing Your Cholesterol Levels<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A cholesterol blood test o<\/span>r lipid panel deciphers how many lipids are present in your blood. There are two types of tests – drawing blood or a finger prick test.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have a history of heart disease, high cholesterol, kidney issues, or diabetes then you have a higher risk of high cholesterol. This test needs to be done quite often to ensure your cholesterol levels are balanced.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cholesterol Testing Guidelines:<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Healthy Individuals between the ages of 20 to 65 are recommended to check their cholesterol levels every 4 to 6 years. It is advised to check children between the ages of 9 and 11, however, testing can be done from the age of 2 years old if there is a concern.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

High-Risk Individuals:<\/p>\n\n\n\n