Overview - Cholesterol is a fatty substance known as a lipid. It's vital for the normal functioning of the body. Cell membranes, hormones and vitamin D are created by your body using cholesterol. There are 2 main sources of the cholesterol in your blood: Cholesterol in the food you eat and cholesterol produced by your liver having an excessively high level of lipids in your blood (hyperlipidemia) can have an effect on your health. High cholesterol, on its own, doesn't usually cause any symptoms but increases your risk of serious health conditions. Symptoms - High cholesterol has no symptoms. A blood test is the only way to detect if you have it.
Causes - Cholesterol is carried through your blood, attached to proteins. This combination of proteins and cholesterol is called a lipoprotein. There are different types of cholesterol, based on what the lipoprotein carries. They are: Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL). LDL, the "bad" cholesterol, transports cholesterol particles throughout your body. LDL cholesterol builds up in the walls of your arteries, making them hard and narrow. High Density lipoprotein (HDL). HDL, the "good" cholesterol, picks up excess cholesterol and takes it back to your liver. A lipid profile also typically measures triglycerides, a type of fat in the blood. Having a high triglyceride level also can increase your risk of heart disease.
01. Eating a diet high in saturated, trans fat: High cholesterol occurs when there is too much fatty substance called cholesterol in your blood. According to the UK National Health Services (NHS), it is mainly caused by eating fatty food, not exercising enough, being overweight, smoking and drinking alcohol. A diet high in saturated fat, trans fat, and/or refined sugars can significantly raise your LDL cholesterol levels, while increasing your risk for heart diseases.
02. Certain medications: There are certain medicines that can also increase your LDL cholesterol levels. These include medications like thiamine diuretics, estrogen and progesterone, atypical antipsychotics, beta-blockers, and certain HIV medicines.
03. Unhealthy habits can increase your 'bad' cholesterol levels: When it comes to regulating your cholesterol levels, you must limit certain unhealthy habits. As per the CDC, one must quit smoking, avoid alcohol consumption, increase regular physical activities and also maintain a healthy weight. Failure to keep up can put one at risk of increasing unhealthy cholesterol levels.
04. Watch out for THESE medical conditions; keep them in control: Apart from lifestyle factors like smoking, an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise, an underlying condition, such as high blood pressure or diabetes can also contribute to high blood cholesterol levels. Other medical conditions that can add to the complications include obesity, kidney disease and hypothyroidism.
05. Having a family history of high cholesterol: According to the CDC, high cholesterol can run in families. "Some people have an inherited genetic condition called FH. This condition causes very high low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad”) cholesterol levels beginning at a young age that, left untreated, continue to worsen with age," explains the US health agency. The step forward is to talk to your doctor and get regular tests to keep your cholesterol levels in check.
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