Cholesterol is a compound found in every cell of the body, and it builds new cells, but if the level of cholesterol in the blood is high, this means that fatty deposits will form inside the walls of blood vessels and these deposits will eventually obstruct the flow of blood in the arteries.
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| High Blood Cholesterol |
types of cholesterol
There are three different types of cholesterol, including:
1. Bad cholesterol (Low density lipoprotein - LDL)
It is what is transmitted in the body through the blood and accumulates on the walls of the arteries, making them more solid and narrow.
2. Very low density lipoprotein (VLDL)
This type of protein contains the largest amount of triglycerides, a type of fat that binds to proteins in the blood, where cholesterol particles accumulate, making them larger, which leads to narrowing of blood vessels .
If you are taking medications to lower your cholesterol level but your blood test results show an elevated level of it, you may need additional medication to lower your cholesterol level, since it is very high in triglycerides.
3. Good cholesterol (High density lipoprotein - HDL)
It is what collects excess cholesterol and returns it to the liver.
Symptoms of high cholesterol
There are no symptoms of high cholesterol in the blood as high cholesterol values are detected only by undergoing a blood test.
Causes and risk factors for high cholesterol
Cholesterol moves in the blood vessels by binding to certain proteins in the blood. This fusion between proteins and cholesterol is called lipoproteins in medical language. The factors that affect cholesterol are classified as follows:
1. Controlled factors affecting cholesterol
There are many factors under control that contribute to raising the percentage of harmful cholesterol on the one hand, and reducing the percentage of good cholesterol on the other, the most important of which are:
smoking
Cigarette smoking damages the walls of blood vessels, making them more susceptible to the accumulation of fatty deposits inside them, and smoking may reduce levels of good cholesterol.
Overweight
If your BMI is above 30, the risk of high cholesterol is likely to increase as well .
Malnutrition
Cholesterol-rich foods such as red meat, high-fat dairy products, and foods high in trans-fats raise cholesterol levels.
Not doing physical activity
Physical activity helps the body to raise the level of good cholesterol and lowering LDL cholesterol level.
2. Factors not under control
There are other factors that are not under control that can affect the level of cholesterol in the blood, including:
Genetic factors
Genetic factors can prevent the body's cells from effectively eliminating excess LDL cholesterol from the blood or cause the liver to produce excess cholesterol.
Other risk factors
These groups are as follows:
High blood pressure: High blood pressure on the walls of the arteries damages the arteries, which can accelerate the process of accumulation of fatty deposits inside them.
Diabetes: High levels of sugar in the blood lead to an increase in the values of bad cholesterol and a decrease in the values of good cholesterol.
Patients in the family : If one of the parents or one of the siblings has suffered from heart disease before reaching the age of fifty, high levels of cholesterol increase the risk of heart disease .
Complications of high cholesterol
High levels of cholesterol can lead to atherosclerosis, which is a dangerous buildup of cholesterol and other deposits on the walls of the arteries. These deposits, called plaques, may reduce the amount of blood flowing in the arteries. The following may happen:
If the affected arteries are the ones that deliver blood to the heart , chest pain and other symptoms are likely.
A blood clot can form, which can block blood flow, or the clot may break off and block another artery. If the heart stops supplying blood, it leads to a heart attack, and if the blood doesn't supply the brain, it leads to a stroke.
Diagnosing high cholesterol
A blood test that measures the level of cholesterol in the blood usually shows:
Total cholesterol level.
Bad cholesterol level.
Good cholesterol level.
Triglyceride level .
High cholesterol treatment
Treatment includes the following:
1. Lifestyle change
Lifestyle changes are the first necessary steps in treating high cholesterol, such as:
Doing physical activity regularly.
Maintain a healthy and balanced diet.
2. Drug therapy
If you have made significant changes in your lifestyle and your LDL cholesterol level is still high, your doctor may advise you on drug therapy. Choosing the right medication or coordinating several types of medication to treat cholesterol depends on several factors, including: your risk factors, Your age, current health status and possible side effects.
Common and acceptable cholesterol medications include:
Statins: The most common medication for lowering the level of bad cholesterol in the blood, statins block the secretion of the substance needed for cholesterol production in the liver.
Bile acid binding resins: Cholesterol is used by the liver to produce bile, which is necessary for the body's digestion process. These drugs inhibit this process.
Cholesterol absorption inhibitors: The small intestine absorbs cholesterol in food and excretes it into the bloodstream. These drugs inhibit the absorption of cholesterol.
If your triglyceride levels are high, your cholesterol treatment may be:
Fibrates.
Niacin
A combination of niacin and a statin.
Most of these medications do not have serious side effects, but their effectiveness varies from person to person, but if you decide to take medications to treat high cholesterol, your doctor may advise you to undergo periodic liver function tests to check the effects of these drugs on your liver.
Prevention of high cholesterol
Here are the top tips for preventing high cholesterol:
March of physical activity permanently daily.
Avoid all tobacco products that lower your risk of high cholesterol.
Get rid of excess weight.
Eat healthy, as foods high in dietary fiber are almost as effective as statins in lowering cholesterol levels.
Refrain from eating foods containing trans fats.
Choose foods made from whole wheat, as there are many substances found in whole wheat that contribute to maintaining a healthy heart.
Make sure to consume different types of vegetables and fruits.
Make sure to eat healthy fish, as many types of fish contain lower levels of fat and smaller amounts of saturated fat and cholesterol than meat and chicken.
Alternative therapies
Although the number of natural products proven to be effective in lowering cholesterol levels, these products are effective if your doctor agrees, the following alternatives can be taken to lower your cholesterol level:
Spinal floor.
barley.
Psyllium seed.
garlic ;
Oat bran.