SIGNS YOU HAVE HIGH CHOLESTEROL

SIGNS YOU HAVE HIGH CHOLESTEROL

What is cholesterol and why is it important?

Cholesterol is a waxy type of fat found in body cells. It is significant for making hormones, such as estrogen, facilitating metabolism efficiency, and helping in vitamin D production.

What are the dangers of high cholesterol?

Can cause coronary heart disease

High cholesterol in the blood can accumulate in the arteries, forming plaque that hardens them. This results in the narrowing of arteries, which results in slower blood circulation. An individual may complain of chest pain and can die of a heart attack.

Stroke

Cholesterol may also block some arteries connected to the brain. If such vessels are completely clogged, you may develop a stroke.

What causes high cholesterol?

Poor diet

Eating foods with saturated fat possibly leads to high cholesterol. The most popular types include highly processed products and red meats.

Unhealthy weight

Being overweight has a high chance of increasing cholesterol. It is due to increased triglycerides that promote blockages in the blood vessels.

 Need 3-5 signs you have high cholesterol.

Angina

Angina refers to chest pains originating from plaque accumulation in the arteries, which causes arteries to harden and become narrower, leading to slow blood flow and pain.

Xanthomas

People with high cholesterol levels may experience yellowish lesions or growths on the skin- xanthomas.

Hypertension

High blood pressure or hypertension occurs when blood pumps with higher pressure giving tension to arteries. The increase in pressure could be a sign that your arteries are filled with plaque.

Charlotte Cremers
Latest posts by Charlotte Cremers (see all)

MS, University of Tartu
Sleep specialist

Using the acquired academic and professional experience, I advise patients with various complaints about mental health - depressed mood, nervousness, lack of energy and interest, sleep disorders, panic attacks, obsessive thoughts and anxieties, difficulty concentrating, and stress. In my free time, I love to paint and go on long walks on the beach. One of my latest obsessions is sudoku – a wonderful activity to calm an unease mind.

Latest from Ask the Expert