Disease Insights: high-cholesterol
Welcome to the ultimate guide on . Here, you'll find answers to the most common questions to help you or your loved ones understand and manage this condition better.
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Questions Covered:
- what is high cholesterol?
- What are the usual symptoms of high cholesterol?
- causes of high cholesterol?
- What are the potential risk factors associated with high cholesterol?
- What are the possible complications that could arise from high cholesterol?
- What are the ways to prevent high cholesterol?
Answers:
Question: what is high cholesterol?
Causes of high cholesterol include diet, smoking, and genetics. High cholesterol rarely causes symptoms, so it's important to have routine cholesterol screenings if you're at risk.
High cholesterol is a pretty common issue in the U.S. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
, nearly 94 million U.S. adults ages 20 or older have what could be considered borderline high cholesterol.
However, because this condition can often present without any real symptoms, you may not even know you have it until you visit your doctor.
If you're wondering what causes high cholesterol, what to do if you've been diagnosed with it, and if there are ways to reverse it (hint: there are), read on for all the answers.
Question: What are the usual symptoms of high cholesterol?
In most cases, high cholesterol is a 'silent' condition. It typically doesn't cause any symptoms. Many people don't even realize they have high cholesterol until they develop serious complications, such as a heart attack or stroke.
That's why routine cholesterol screening is important. If you're 20 years or older, ask your doctor if you should have routine cholesterol screening. Learn how this screening could potentially save your life.
Question: causes of high cholesterol?
Eating too many foods that are high in cholesterol, saturated fats, and trans fats may increase your risk of developing high cholesterol. Living with obesity can also increase your risk. Other lifestyle factors that can contribute to high cholesterol include inactivity and smoking.
Your genetics can also affect your chances of developing high cholesterol. Genes are passed down from parents to children. Certain genes instruct your body on how to process cholesterol and fats. If your parents have high cholesterol, you may be at a greater risk of having it too.
In rare cases, high cholesterol is caused by familial hypercholesterolemia. This genetic disorder prevents your body from removing LDL. According to the National Human Genome Research Institute
, most adults with this condition have total cholesterol levels above 300 milligrams per deciliter and LDL levels above 200 milligrams per deciliter.
Other health conditions, such as diabetes and hypothyroidism, may also increase your risk of developing high cholesterol and related complications.
Question: What are the potential risk factors associated with high cholesterol?
You may be at a higher risk of developing high cholesterol if you:
are living with obesity
consume a lot of saturated and trans fats, like those found in fast food
have limited physical activity
smoke tobacco products
have a family history of high cholesterol
have diabetes, kidney disease, or hypothyroidism
People of all ages, genders, and ethnicities can have high cholesterol.
Question: What are the possible complications that could arise from high cholesterol?
Without treatment, high cholesterol can cause plaque to build up in your arteries. Over time, this plaque can narrow your arteries. This condition is known as atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis is a serious condition. It can limit the flow of blood through your arteries. It also raises your risk of developing dangerous blood clots.
Atherosclerosis can result in many life threatening complications, such as:
stroke
heart attack
angina, or chest pain
high blood pressure
peripheral vascular disease
chronic kidney disease
High cholesterol can also create a bile imbalance, raising your risk of gallstones. See the other ways that high cholesterol can impact your body.
Question: What are the ways to prevent high cholesterol?
You can't control the genetic risk factors for high cholesterol. However, lifestyle factors can be managed.
To lower your risk of developing high cholesterol:
Eat a nutritious diet that's low in cholesterol and animal fats, and high in fiber.
Avoid excessive alcohol consumption.
Maintain a moderate weight.
E.xercise regularly.
Avoid smoking.
Follow your doctor's recommendations for routine cholesterol screening. If you're at risk of high cholesterol or coronary heart disease, they will likely encourage you to get your cholesterol levels tested on a regular basis.
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