What is High Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like lipid that is produced in the liver naturally. It is essential as it is needed for the production of certain hormones, cell membrane formation, and Vitamin D. The food we eat contains cholesterol, hence its presence at normal levels is good for the body. But if the levels are too high it can put a person at a high risk of heart diseases. Different types of cholesterol are, HDL or good cholesterol and LDL or bad cholesterol. The HDL levels should be high and the LDL levels should be low. When the LDL levels are high it is termed as high cholesterol.
High Cholesterol Symptoms
High cholesterol is a silent killer and does not show any symptoms. In many of the cases where high cholesterol is not detected, it leads to emergency events like a stroke or a heart attack. But these events happen only when the arteries are blocked by plaques. These result in the narrowing of the blood vessels and cause complications.
The only way to know if a person has high cholesterol is to get regular check-ups. Blood tests are enough to know the levels of this lipid. Get your cholesterol checked every 4 to 5 years after you reach 20 years to know if the levels are in the normal range.
2.Who is at Risks?
High cholesterol risk factors that are uncontrollable are:
Controllable risk factors are:
3.High Cholesterol Causes
Having certain types of high cholesterol raises the chances of having a heart attack or heart disease. When there is high LDL, the fat starts to deposit on the walls of the arteries, narrowing it and restricting the movement of blood. When the blood flow is restricted it can lead to many serious complications. Things that cause high cholesterol are:
4.How is High cholesterol diagnosed?
High cholesterol shows no symptoms and hence everyone who has reached the age of 20 and above should get a High cholesterol test once every few years. That will help them to know the levels and reduce them in case it is high. A simple blood test called the lipid profile is enough for High cholesterol diagnosis and to assess the levels of cholesterol. It helps to determine the LDL, HDL, triglycerides level, and total cholesterol level.
After the test is performed the High cholesterol doctor will do a physical exam by checking the heart rate, blood pressure, and heartbeat. If the doctor finds that the patient is at risk of heart disease further tests are asked to be performed. That includes EKG, stress test, Echocardiogram, tilt table test, and more.
5.How is High cholesterol treated?
High cholesterol treatment depends on the risk factors after which High cholesterol cure is recommended by the doctor:
6.How can High cholesterol be prevented?
High cholesterol that is genetically inherited cannot be controlled, but High cholesterol prevention is recommended.
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