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The Health Risks of High Cholesterol

amomentwithfranca · 11 March 2020 · 12 Comments

Cholesterol is a waxy and fatty substance found in your cells and your blood. Although it’s typically considered to come mainly from your diet, your liver actually produces most of the cholesterol your body needs.

The Health Risks of High Cholesterol

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Table of Contents

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  • The Health Risks of High Cholesterol
    • COMMON HEALTH RISK FACTORS
        • a) Harden your arteries
        • b) Narrow your arteries
        • c) Block the arteries
    • HOW TO CONTROL CHOLESTEROL LEVELS
    • THE FINAL VERDICT

The Health Risks of High Cholesterol

There are two forms of cholesterol: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). The high-density lipoprotein is the healthy or rather ‘good’ kind of cholesterol. Some of its essential functions include helping your glands to make hormones, keeping your cell walls flexible, helping your cells to maintain their structural integrity, and allowing your liver to produce bile.

The unhealthy ‘bad’ kind of cholesterol is referred to as low-density lipoprotein. It can build up in the arteries and form waxy, fatty deposits known as plaques. So, this means that having too much low-density cholesterol can have a negative impact on your health.

COMMON HEALTH RISK FACTORS

Here are some of the common health risk factors associated with high LDL cholesterol levels and how they can be controlled through medication, diet, and exercise. Read on!

1. Damage your arteries

When you’ve too much low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the body, it can build up into plaques, potentially causing damage in your arteries. The plaque can:

a) Harden your arteries

Having hardened arteries means that your blood flow is limited all over your body. Your heart will have to work extra hard, which can result in heart disease and high blood pressure.


b) Narrow your arteries

This can limit blood flow as well.

c) Block the arteries

When blood clots form around a cracked part of a plaque, it can lead to a stroke or heart attack.

High cholesterol is also linked to peripheral arterial disease. It refers to diseases of blood vessels, which are outside the brain and heart. The fatty deposits usually build up along your artery walls affecting blood circulation, mostly in arteries that lead to the feet and legs, although the kidney arteries can be affected as well.

2. Damage your brain

Whilst cholesterol helps to develop and protect nerve cells, high LDL cholesterol can potentially result in plaque, which damages the brain. This leads to loss of movement, memory loss, strokes, and has been associated with an increased risk of dementia.

3. Create gallstones

Cholesterol is vital for bile production, which aids the body in breaking down foods as well as absorbing nutrients. However, when there is too much cholesterol, bile forms into crystals and then creates gallstones, which are usually very painful.

When discussing the potential consequences of high cholesterol, it’s important to note that individuals with elevated LDL cholesterol may face an increased risk of developing health issues such as congestive heart failure and weight gain. This underscores the significance of adopting a proactive approach to cholesterol management through lifestyle changes and medical interventions.

4. Type 2 diabetes

Persons with diabetes tend to have decreased HDL, sometimes increased LDL, and increased triglycerides. This enhances the likelihood of developing atherosclerosis, which is the build-up of cholesterol, fats, and other substances on and in the walls of arteries.

HOW TO CONTROL CHOLESTEROL LEVELS

The trick is to keep bad cholesterol levels down and good cholesterol up, and their many changes that you can make to your lifestyle and diet to do this. They include:

1. Exercise

Moderate physical activity can significantly help raise HDL cholesterol. Whether you’re 5 or 35, physical activity is always a good choice. Even if you’re a senior there are a lot of tutorials and exercise videos for seniors you can try. With your health provider’s OK, consider vigorous aerobic activity for around 75 minutes per week, or moderate exercise for 150 minutes a week, as per the NHS guidelines.

Moderate physical activity can significantly help raise HDL cholesterol.

Whether you’re 5 or 35, physical activity is always a good choice. Even if you’re a senior there is a lot of tutorials and exercise videos for seniors you can try.

With your health provider’s OK, consider vigorous aerobic activity for around 75 minutes per week, or moderate exercise for 150 minutes a week, as per the NHS guidelines.

2. Quit smoking and drink alcohol in moderation

Smoking and too much alcohol can result in serious health issues like heart failure, strokes, and high blood pressure, not to mention the fact they increase levels of LDL cholesterol. Studies have also shown that quitting smoking is associated with an increase in good cholesterol.

3. Eat healthy foods

If you want to improve your heart health and reduce cholesterol, you need to reduce saturated fats and trans fats while adding whey protein, soluble fibre, and foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids.

THE FINAL VERDICT

High cholesterol can be damaging to the heart and lead to health problems, significantly shortening your lifespan. It is essential to maintain healthy habits such as quitting smoking, having a healthy diet, and exercising regularly.

If you are concerned you may be at risk or have high cholesterol, consider working with a doctor to discuss ways in which you can address it to prevent any future health problems.

Do you suffer from high cholesterol? What things do you do to improve your health condition? 

*Disclosure: Paid Collaboration with Dr Felix

Thanks for stopping by,

Love you all ❤️

Franca  💋

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sarah-Marie says

    14 March 2020 at

    What a fascinating article. I had no idea that it was our liver that produces cholesterol! #KCACOLS

    Reply
  2. Lydia C. Lee says

    14 March 2020 at

    Good post. I’m upping vegetables for a number of reasons at the moment. Seems to be yet another one! #KCACOLS

    Reply
  3. Jo(a Rose Tinted world) says

    15 March 2020 at

    Interesting post. There is still a lot that we need to learn about cholesterol, but all these are great ways to stay healthy. #KCACOLS

    Reply
  4. tracey bowden says

    15 March 2020 at

    This is really interesting to know. So far, I don’t have high cholesterol but it is something I do worry about getting #kcacols

    Reply
  5. Maria says

    15 March 2020 at

    I think as we get older, this is something we all naturally start to worry about! #KCACOLS

    Reply
  6. jeremy-thirstydaddy says

    18 March 2020 at

    Important that people take seriously the changes that they may have to make to their lifestyle as they get older. I’m actually kinda surprised my cholesterol is still OK #KCACOLS

    Reply
  7. Mummy and the Mexicans (Ruth) says

    19 March 2020 at

    My parents have altered their diet quite considerably in the last few days, one of the reasons being my dad’s high cholesterol. Thanks for the interesting and informative article and useful health tips! #kcacols

    Reply
  8. Stelle Lang says

    19 March 2020 at

    Healthy living and eating is especially important at the moment. Hopefully the supermarkets will get back to normal soon and we have the healthy options available #KCACOLS

    Reply
  9. Enda Sheppard says

    20 March 2020 at

    Very informative and useful. #KCACOLS

    Reply
  10. Melinda says

    23 March 2020 at

    I was not aware of the link between cholesterol and diabetes, but looking back on the people that I know, it makes sense now.
    *NOT MEDICAL ADVICE* but when I worked at a natural health food store, there were a few supplements that my customers said really helped them control their cholesterol. Overall, exercise and a healthy diet seems to be the best preventative measure and can help during treatment.

    #KCACOLS

    Reply
  11. Jenna Boden says

    24 March 2020 at

    This is fascinating! I assumed my cholesterol would be fine as I’m vegetarian but it’s actually on the high side of normal. My GP said this is most likely to me eating eggs a little too often. So I’ve cut back on them in the hope of seeing that level reduce. #KCACOLS

    Reply
  12. Steve (Thediaryofdad) says

    26 March 2020 at

    Such an interesting post. So important at this moment aswell given the extra time we are all spending at home and the lack of exercise that we continue to be careful with our health.
    #KCACOLS

    Reply

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HI THERE, I’M FRANCA!

Hi, I'm Franca. Blogger for 9 yrs, exploring lifestyle, family, travel. Ex-lawyer turned full-time digital creator. Love testing and reviewing new products, services, and destinations. Read More…

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