High Cholesterol and its associated health problems are the major cause of concern throughout the world. If persisted for a long time, it increases your risk of heart disease and stroke.
As per the World Health Organisation raised cholesterol is estimated to cause 2.6 million deaths (4.5% of total) and 29.7 million DALYS, or 2% of total DALYS (disability-adjusted life year).
This data shows the gravity of this lethal problem, if diagnosed in the early stages the fatality can be ignored. Here it becomes extremely important to know about What Symptoms Of High Cholesterol.
And because It rises slowly and gradually, if you identify its symptoms early you can easily reverse the elevated cholesterol levels.
Thatswhy in this article, We will discuss the symptoms, basic causes, and levels of cholesterol in-depth and much more that you must know. So you get a proper idea about high cholesterol.
What Symptoms Of High Cholesterol
There aren’t usually any typical signs or symptoms you have high cholesterol which is why it’s so important to get it checked out. In most cases, it only causes emergency incidents.
For example, the damage caused by high cholesterol can lead to a heart attack or stroke. that’s why it’s a hidden risk factor which means it happens without us knowing until it’s too late.
Most worrying is that these events generally don’t occur until high cholesterol leads to plaque formation in your arteries.
Plaque is a greasy substance that can narrow arteries so that it is hard for the blood to pass through. The plaque formation changes the appearance of your arterial lining. This could lead to serious complications.
So until now, a blood test is the only way to know if you have high cholesterol. This means having a total blood cholesterol level above 200 (mg/dL) milligrams per deciliter.
It is good to ask your doctor for a cholesterol test as you turn 20. After that get your cholesterol rechecked every 4 to 6 years.
A family history of high cholesterol also plays an important role. Your doctor may also suggest you, to have your cholesterol checked more frequently if you have such a family history.
They may also suggest it if you exhibit the following risk factors:-
- You are Overweight
- Having high Blood Pressure
- Smoke
Genetic Conditions For High Cholesterol
Familial hypercholesterolemia is a genetic condition that is passed down from genes and causes high blood cholesterol. People with this condition usually have cholesterol levels of 300 mg/dL (mg per deciliter) or higher.
In addition, they can develop xanthomas, which appear as yellow spots above your skin or a lump under your skin.
Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease, generally known as CAD, is a condition that affects your heart. It is the most prevalent form of cardiovascular disease in the United States.
It occurs when plaque builds up in the walls of the main arteries that supply blood to the heart, causing them to harden or narrow.
Symptoms of heart disease or CAD can be different in Men and women. However, heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death in both sexes in the United States.
Among the most prevalent symptoms are:-
- Chest Pain
- Nausea
- Angina
- Excessive Fatigue
- Difficulty Breathing
- Pain in your Jaw, Neck, Upper Abdomen, or Back
Peripheral Arterial Disease
Peripheral artery disease, also called peripheral artery disease or PAD, is a common condition in which your arteries can be narrowed due to plaque buildup, causing restricted blood to flow through the arteries that supply blood to your kidneys, arms, abdomen, and legs.
Symptoms of early peripheral artery disease may include:-
- Fatigue
- Cramping
- Achiness
- Discomfort in your legs and feet
- Pain in your legs during activity or exercise, called intermittent claudication
As peripheral artery disease progresses, symptoms become more frequent and can occur even when you are at rest.
Later symptoms caused by restricted blood flow may include:-
- Thinning, paleness, flaking, or shinier skin on your legs and feet
- Leg pain that does not go away even when you rest
- Tissue death is induced by a lack of blood flow which is called gangrene
- Ulcers on your feet and legs that heal very slowly or do not heal at all
- Burning in your toes
- Toes that turn blue
- Cramps in the legs
- Thick toenails
- Lessened hair growth on your legs
- Reduction in the temperature of your foot or lower leg, as compared to the other leg
People with PAD are more likely to have a heart attack, stroke, or have limbs amputated.
Stroke
Plaque accumulation caused by high cholesterol can put you at huge risk of having the blood flow to a crucial part of your brain reduced or cut off. This happens when a stroke occurs.
Please note that a stroke is a medical emergency. If you or someone you know exhibits symptoms of a stroke, it is crucial to act quickly and seek medical assistance.
There are some symptoms of stroke which includes:-
- Abrupt loss of balance and coordination
- Sudden dizziness
- Facial asymmetry (drooping mouth and eyelid on just one side)
- Inability in movement, particularly affecting only one side of your body Confusion
- Slurring words
- Unexpected terrible headache
- Clouded eyesight, darkened vision, or double vision
- Numbness in your arm leg or face, especially on one side of your body
Heart Attack
The arteries that supply the blood to the heart might slowly narrow owing to plaque accumulation. This process, known as atherosclerosis, occurs slowly and has no signs or symptoms.
Eventually, a portion of the plaque may break off. Whenever this happens, a blood clot develops around the plaque. It can obstruct blood flow to the heart muscle, depriving it of nutrients and oxygen.
This deprivation is known as ischemia. A heart attack occurs when the heart is damaged or when a section of the heart begins to die as a result of a lack of oxygen. A heart attack is referred to medically as a myocardial infarction.
As per the American Heart Association, somebody in the United States faced a heart attack approximately every 39 seconds.
Symptoms of a heart attack include:-
- Tightness, heaviness, squeezing, pain, or aching in your chest or arms
- Anxiety or a sense of impending doom dizziness
- Difficulty breathing
- Excessive fatigue
- Nausea, indigestion, or heartburn
Please note that a heart attack is a medical emergency. If treatment is not started within the first few hours following a heart attack, the damage to the heart may be irreversible, or even fatal.
If you or someone you know exhibits symptoms of a heart attack, it is critical to act quickly and seek medical attention.
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Causes Of High Cholesterol
Eating foods that are high in saturated fats, trans fats and cholesterol may raise your chance of getting high cholesterol.
Obesity might also raise your risk. Inactivity and smoking are two other lifestyle factors that might lead you to high cholesterol.
To manage your weight, you must read:- How To Lose Weight Instantly | 5 Effective Tips Based On Science
Your genetics can also influence your risk of developing high cholesterol. Genes are passed down from parents to their children.
Certain genes instruct your body on how to process and metabolize fats and cholesterol. If your parents have high cholesterol, you are more likely to have it too.
In rare cases, familial hypercholesterolemia causes high cholesterol. This hereditary condition prevents your body from removing bad or LDL cholesterol.
As per the National Human Genome Research Institute, Most individuals with the illness had total cholesterol levels above 300 mg/dl (milligrams per deciliter) and LDL levels above 200 mg/dl (milligrams per deciliter).
Other health problems, such as hypothyroidism and diabetes, might also raise your chance of developing high cholesterol and complications related to it.
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Levels Of High Cholesterol
High cholesterol is easily diagnosed with a blood test known as a lipid panel. For that, your doctor will take a blood sample and send it to a testing lab for analysis.
The doctor may also advise that you refrain from eating or drinking for at least 12 hours before the test.
Total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides are all measured in a lipid panel. So it is a comprehensive test to properly diagnose cholesterol levels.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the following are the desirable levels:-
- High Density Lipoprotein or HDL cholesterol: 40 mg/dL or higher
- Low Density Lipoprotein or LDL cholesterol: less than 100 mg/dL
- Triglycerides: less than 150 mg/dL
If your total cholesterol level is between 200 and 239 mg/dL, it is called “borderline high.” And if it is greater than 240 mg/dL, it is called “High”.
If your LDL cholesterol level is between 130 and 159 mg/dL, it is called “borderline high.” If it exceeds 160 mg/dL, it is called “High.”
If your HDL cholesterol level is less than 40 mg/dL, it is usually considered “poor.”
How To Lower Cholesterol?
You can easily lower your cholesterol level at home with several natural remedies and yoga and exercise.
Natural remedies like garlic clove, walnuts, fenugreek seeds, Indian gooseberries, and green tea, are wonderful ingredients that effectively reduce your elevated cholesterol levels.
You can additionally practice some YOGA poses that are found effective in weight management and lowering high cholesterol levels significantly.
Some of these cholesterol lowering YOGA poses are- Sun Salutation, Wheel pose, locust pose, two-legged forward bend, Skull shining breath, etc.
If you incorporate these ingredients into your diet as directed and practice these YOGA poses regularly, Your cholesterol levels will go down slowly.
Along with these, You must adopt an active lifestyle and healthy food habits. You must keep an eye on your weight.
For in-depth info about it please read:- how to lower cholesterol
Please note- These remedies can help you but these are not a substitute for any medical treatment. In case of any medical emergency, please consult with your doctor.
Takeaway
Cholesterol is not totally bad for us, Our bodies need it. But excess of it causes trouble. To keep it within a permissible limit you must incorporate the aforesaid measures into your lifestyle.
There are many modern treatment options available that can prevent the fatal effects of high cholesterol if diagnose in time. That’s why you should keep your cholesterol level in check.
