Abnormally high cholesterol levels can result in heart disease and stroke, leading causes of death in the United States. According to 2015-2018 statistics, the percentage of high total cholesterol was 11.4% among adults in the United States. The high level was most common in people who were between 40-59. Therefore, you should understand what cholesterol is and why it is essential to keep it under control.
What is Cholesterol?
It is a lipid (fat) wax-like substance that is made by the liver. It is also present in the food you intake. The cholesterol in food is packaged into particles called lipoproteins.
Types of Cholesterol
There are two types:
1. Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL)
LDL is also known as “bad cholesterol” when it is more than the required levels. LDL in high amounts can result in the formation of fatty deposits in the arteries called plaque. This deposit can block the blood flow, increasing the chances of heart attack, stroke, other heart diseases.
2. High Density Lipoprotein (HDL)
It helps to remove excess cholesterol from the arteries and form plaque as well. That’s why it is known as good cholesterol. Thus, the excess amount is brought back to the liver by HDL, from where it is removed from the body. A high level of HDL is essential for preventing heart illness.
Symptoms of High Cholesterol
You should go for a lipid profile test if you have the following symptoms:
- Chest pain or Angina
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Difficulty in breathing
- Body pain, particularly in the neck, jaw, upper abdomen, or back
- Numbness
Lipid Profile Test- Know your Cholesterol Numbers
This test is used to check the total cholesterol to know the probability of heart diseases. If it is above 200mg/dL places you at a greater risk of heart disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.
A lipid profile test will help you to know your:
- Total levels
- HDL
- LDL
- VLDL
- Triglycerides
1. Good lipid Profile
You have a good lipid profile if the total amount is less than 200mg/dL, HDL is 60mg/dL, or higher and LDL is less than 100mg/dL. You have a safe number and thus at lesser risk of heart diseases.
2. Bad lipid profile
In a bad lipid profile, the total amount is above 200mg/dL, HDL is less than 40mg/dL, and LDL is above 190mg/dL or more. This is potentially harmful as you have more chances of plaque formation and heart disease. VLDL (very low density lipoproteins) is also a significant factor in heart ailments.
So, you have to be careful regarding your normal levels to avoid complicated health conditions that can be fatal.
Who is at risk of elevated levels?
You are at the risk of if you:
- Have a family history of elevated levels or heart disease
- Obese
- Alcoholic
- Smoker
- Have an unhealthy and inactive lifestyle
- Have diabetes or kidney disease.
Ways to lower your cholesterol levels
You can control your cholesterol numbers in a safe range in the following ways:
1. Diet
2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines mentions diet as the most way to lower cholesterol. It shows that you should take the following cholesterol lowering foods:
- Walnuts
- Oats
- Olive oil
- Beans
- Fruits
And you should avoid:
- Fast food
- Egg yolk
- Cheese
- Butter
- Processed meat
- Full fat yogurt
2. Exercise
Increase your physical activity by exercise. Lose weight to keep your LDL numbers in a normal range.
3. Adopt healthy lifestyle
You should avoid alcohol and smoking. Get proper sleep and keep yourself follow a healthy lifestyle routine.
4. Medication
Changing lifestyle and food habits are natural ways to lower you LDL levels. But, if this doesn’t work for you, then you should consult a physician for cholesterol medication. Some of the common medications used for this condition are:
- Statins
- Torvastatin
- Lovastatin
- Simvastatin
- Niacin
- Ezetimbie (Zetia)
Cholesterol is essential
The excess of everything is terrible, and so is cholesterol. But the normal levels are absolutely essential for the body because;
- It helps the cell membrane to have the right consistency.
- Steroid hormones require it for synthesis.
- It is involved in the synthesis of bile.
- Vitamin D is a type of cholesterol. When your skin is exposed to light, it is converted to Vitamin D. The normal level of vitamin D in the body helps you prevent many diseases such as osteoporosis (bone disease), heart disease, high blood pressure, skin cancer, alzheimer’s, etc.
So, instead of taking vitamin supplements, you can keep your cholesterol levels normal to protect yourself from many health problems.
