Introduction
Cholesterol is the waxy substance found in your blood that can clog the blood vessels, leading to detrimental health effects. To determine your cholesterol levels, you can get a blood test. This article will shed more light on the types of cholesterol, their effects on the body, how to treat high cholesterol levels, and certain myths and facts about cholesterol. Read on to know more.
Types of cholesterol
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the various types of cholesterol are as follows.
• High-density lipoproteins (HDL cholesterol) – Also called “good cholesterol,” it ensures that extra cholesterol in the body is flushed out via the liver.
• Low-density lipoproteins (LDL cholesterol) – also called “bad cholesterol,” it increases the chances of stroke and heart disease.
• Very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL cholesterol)- Another type of “bad cholesterol,” it leads to an increase in triglyceride levels and plaque buildup.
• Triglycerides- A type of fat that is required in your body. However, high levels can cause adverse effects on your body.
How to check cholesterol levels?
To check your cholesterol levels, a simple blood test that needs minimum fasting of 12 hours needs to be done. The following table provides further details on blood cholesterol levels measured in milligrams of cholesterol per deciliter of blood (mg/dL).
CHOLESTEROL LEVELS
HEART HEALTHY AT-RISK DANGEROUS
HDL
Male
Female
60 and higher
40-59
50-59
Under 40
Under 50
LDL Under 100 100-159 160 and higher
TOTAL CHOLESTEROL Under 200 200-239 240 and higher
What causes high cholesterol?
The condition with high blood cholesterol levels is known as hypercholesterolemia. Certain causes are within your control (modifiable) while others cannot be modified. The causes of high cholesterol levels are as follows.
Modifiable causes
• Inactivity or sedentary lifestyle
• Obesity
• Unhealthy diet
• Smoking
• Alcohol
Non-modifiable causes
• Family history
• Genetic makeup
• Age – above 40 years
• Diabetes
• Chronic kidney disease
• HIV/AIDS
• Hypothyroidism
• Lupus
• Medications taken for diseases like cancer, acne, high blood pressure, HIV/AIDS, irregular heart rhythm, and organ transplantation can also lead to hypercholesterolemia.
Signs and symptoms of high cholesterol in the body
Hypercholesterolemia is a silent disease. Therefore, a routine blood test is the safest way to identify if your cholesterol levels are high. However, certain signs of high cholesterol levels may be noticeable. It is vital to be aware of them to take action at the earliest.
Signs of cholesterol on the face
• Soft patches of yellowish bumps around your eyes, mostly seen on the upper eyelid, called xanthelasma.
• Appearance of a light-coloured, yellowish ring around your cornea called corneal arcus.
Signs of cholesterol on the skin
• Fatty deposits under the skin lead to an unexplained set of bumps, patches of soft yellowish skin, or discolouration on your extremities, called xanthomas.
• Psoriasis – an inflammatory skin condition
• Net-like bluish-red mottling of the skin called livedo reticularis.
Effects of high cholesterol on the body
High cholesterol levels can lead to the following systemic effects within your body.
• Blockage in the arteries of the brain
• Adverse effects on memory
• Stroke
• Pain in the jaw
• Chest pain
• Heart attacks
• Gallstones
• Numbness in the legs
High cholesterol treatment and precautions
If your cholesterol levels are high, you can take the following precautions and avail the following treatments (only after expert consultation).
Prevent high cholesterol
• Make healthy eating choices by including foods rich in fibre and low in saturated fats and sugars.
• Maintain a healthy weight by monitoring your diet and physical activity.
• Engage in regular physical activity.
• Avoid smoking and alcohol intake.
• Manage stress
Cholesterol medicine
Certain cholesterol tablets prescribed by your doctor can help reduce cholesterol levels, along with lifestyle changes. Cholesterol tablets include cholesterol-lowering medicines such as statins, bile acid sequestrants, fibrates, and nicotinic acid.
What causes low cholesterol?
Low cholesterol levels in the blood are known as hypolipidemia. A total cholesterol level of less than 120 mg/dl or an LDL of less than 50 mg/dl is considered as hypolipidemia. Causes of low cholesterol include the following.
• Poor nutrition
• Inability to absorb nutrients
• Chronic infections
• Chronic inflammation
• Certain genetic disorders
• Taking cholesterol-lowering medications without appropriate follow-up with the doctor
Signs and symptoms of low cholesterol in the body
Symptoms of low cholesterol in the body are as follows.
• Depressive symptoms
• Anxiety
• Confusion
• Nervousness
• Changes in one’s mood, sleep or eating patterns
• Bleeding in the brain
Low cholesterol treatment and precautions
Since low cholesterol levels do not show up until it is too late, getting your cholesterol levels checked regularly is the best way to identify it. Treating low cholesterol levels depends on the cause. It is important to remember that simply eating a diet high in cholesterol will not solve the problem. Consult your healthcare practitioner before initiating any treatment.
Some of the best ways to prevent low cholesterol levels are as follows.
• Eat healthy food
• Check cholesterol levels regularly
• Maintain an active lifestyle
• Be attentive to symptoms of anxiety and stress.
Myths and facts about cholesterol
Dispelling certain myths about cholesterol with facts can help you acquire knowledge about cholesterol.
Myth: All cholesterol is bad.
Fact: HDL cholesterol is good cholesterol and helps in eliminating excess bad cholesterol from your body.
Myth: I can feel high cholesterol levels.
Fact: High cholesterol levels are identified only through a blood test. Usually, the signs of high cholesterol are difficult to pick up till they are advanced.
Myth: Eating high-cholesterol foods will not affect my cholesterol levels.
Fact: High-cholesterol foods like red meat, cheese, and butter contain saturated fats that increase your cholesterol levels. Contrarily, consuming foods rich in fibre like oatmeal, beans, whole grains, etc. can help maintain normal cholesterol levels.
Conclusion
Cholesterol levels, if high, may go unnoticed for a long time. A simple blood test to check your cholesterol levels every 5 years can help prevent and manage this condition. Taking necessary precautions like following a healthy lifestyle, diet, and exercise can help maintain your cholesterol levels.
