High cholesterol is a major problem in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost 94 million adults in the U.S. could have borderline high cholesterol.
However, because this condition does not have any real symptoms, people may not know they have high cholesterol until they visit their doctors and get tested.
If you’re wondering what the causes are, how to prevent it and reverse them, here’s how:
What Is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a lipid. It’s a fat-like substance produced by our liver; it aids the production of some hormones, cell membranes, vitamin D.
Cholesterol is not dissolvable in water, which is why it can travel through your bloodstream on its own. Our liver produces lipoproteins to help transport the cholesterol within our body. Lipoproteins are particles made from protein and fat. The two main types of lipoproteins are low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL).
Low-density lipoproteins carry Low-density cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is present in your blood more than a certain limit. You’ll be diagnosed with high cholesterol. If left untreated, high cholesterol may lead to various health issues such as stroke and heart attack.
High cholesterol rarely shows any symptoms. That is why it is essential to get your cholesterol levels checked during routine checkups.
Causes Of High Cholesterol
Eating foods that are high in cholesterol, trans fats, and saturated fats can increase the chance of developing high cholesterol. Obesity can also increase the risk of increasing your cholesterol levels. A sedentary lifestyle and smoking also contribute to high cholesterol.
Genetics also affects your chances of developing high cholesterol. Genes pass from generation to generation. Certain genes are responsible for the processing of cholesterol and fats. If your family has a history of high cholesterol, you may be at greater risk of developing high cholesterol.
Certain health conditions, such as hypothyroidism and diabetes, may increase the chances to develop high cholesterol.
Complications of High Cholesterol
If left untreated, high cholesterol can result in the build-up of plaque inside your arteries. This plaque narrows your arteries and starts restricting your blood flow. This medical condition is called atherosclerosis.
It is a serious medical condition that raises your chance of developing blood clots that can result in many life-threatening complications, such as:
- Heart attack
- Chronic kidney disease
- Angina
- Stroke
- Peripheral vascular disease
High cholesterol has no symptoms in most cases. But if it is neglected, it can cause serious medical complications. To learn if you have high cholesterol, schedule an online appointment with medical experts at GetCareMD. We offer online medical consultation, lab testing, and medicine refills at convenient rates online. Visit our website or schedule a consultation today!