High Cholesterol

High Cholesterol

High cholesterol is a condition characterized by high cholesterol accumulation in the body. It is a form of hyperlipidemia (high levels of lipids in the blood), hyperlipoproteinemia (high levels of lipoproteins in the blood), and dyslipidemia (any abnormalities of lipid and lipoprotein levels in the blood). There are different types of cholesterol, including LDL cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) — known as ‘bad’ cholesterol and HDL cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) — known as ‘good’ cholesterol. Over time, too much LDL cholesterol (or, ‘bad’) cholesterol in your blood can raise your risk of heart attack and stroke. 

Am I at risk for high cholesterol?

Factors that can increase your risk of unhealthy cholesterol levels include:

  • Poor diet. Eating too much saturated fat or trans fats can result in unhealthy cholesterol levels. Saturated fats are found in fatty cuts of meat and full-fat dairy products. Trans fats are often found in packaged snacks or desserts.
  • Obesity. Having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater puts you at risk of high cholesterol.
  • Lack of exercise. Exercise helps boost your body's HDL, the "good," cholesterol.
  • Smoking. Cigarette smoking may lower your level of HDL, the "good," cholesterol.
  • Alcohol. Drinking alcohol can increase your total cholesterol level.
  • Age. As you age over 40, your liver becomes less able to remove LDL cholesterol.
  • Family history: your genetic makeup might make it more difficult for your body to remove LDL cholesterol from your blood or break it down in the liver.
  • Medical conditions: Chronic kidney disease, Diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Hypothyroidism, Lupus

What are the symptoms of high cholesterol?

High cholesterol has no symptoms. A blood test is the only way to detect if you have it.

How can I prevent high cholesterol?

The same heart-healthy lifestyle changes that can lower your cholesterol can help prevent you from having high cholesterol in the first place. To help prevent high cholesterol, you can:

  • Eat a low-salt diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
  • Limit the amount of animal fats and use good fats in moderation.
  • Lose extra kilos and maintain a healthy weight.
  • Quit smoking.
  • Exercise on most days of the week for at least 30 minutes.
  • Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all.
  • Manage stress.

When to see a doctor

The US NHLBI recommends that cholesterol (blood test) screenings occur every one to two years for men ages 45 to 65 and for women ages 55 to 65. People over 65 should receive cholesterol tests annually. If your test results aren't within desirable ranges, your doctor might recommend more-frequent measurements. Your doctor might also suggest more-frequent tests if you have risk factors for High Cholesterol. 

Complications of high cholesterol?

Development of atherosclerosis: High cholesterol can cause a dangerous accumulation of cholesterol and other deposits on the walls of your arteries (atherosclerosis). These deposits (plaques) can reduce blood flow through your arteries, which can cause complications, such as chest pain and other symptoms of coronary artery disease, heart attacks and stroke. 

How can I treat high cholesterol?

Treatment options include changes in diet, lifestyle, and exercising which are the primarily recommended, self-care, treatment methods. Medications may be prescribed in cases of very high cholesterol levels.

  • Self-care (diet, lifestyle and exercise): Exercise regularly, lose excess weight.

Foods to eat:

  • Foods rich in unsaturated fats such as olive and canola oil, avocados, almonds, pecans, walnuts.
  • Low carbohydrate and fiber rich foods such as whole grains, whole wheat bread and pasta, oatmeal, oat bran, brown rice, barley, legumes.
  • Low carbohydrate and fibre rich foods: such as whole grains, whole wheat bread and pasta, oatmeal, oat bran, brown rice, barley, legumes.
  • Fatty fish such as salmon, herring.
  • Phytosterols and stanols such as nuts, seeds, vegetable oils, fortified food products such as orange juice, yogurt, salad dressing.

Foods to avoid:

  • High cholesterol foods such as egg yolks, whole milk products, and organ meats
  • Canola oil and other processed vegetable oils
  • Potato chips and other packaged Foods
  • Bacon and other processed meats

Medications, as secondary treatments for very high cholesterol levels include Statins (Lovastatin, Pravastatin), Nicotinic acid, Niacin, Cholestyramine, Ezetimibe and Gemfibrozil.

References 

High cholesterol - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

How to lower cholesterol - lifestyle, diet, medication | healthdirect

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