Cholesterol is a compound present in every cell of the body, and builds new cells, but if the level of cholesterol in the blood is high, this means that fatty deposits will form inside the walls of blood vessels, and these deposits will eventually impede blood flow in the arteries. Types of cholesterol There are three different types of cholesterol, including the following:
1. Bad cholesterol (Low density lipoprotein - LDL)
It is transmitted in the body through the blood and accumulates on the walls of the arteries, making them more solid and narrower.
2. Very low density lipoprotein - VLDL
This type of protein contains the largest amount of triglycerides, a type of fat associated with proteins in the blood, where cholesterol particles accumulate, making them larger, which leads to narrowing of blood vessels.
If you are taking medication to lower your cholesterol level but your blood test results show a high level of cholesterol, it is likely that you need additional medication to lower your cholesterol level, as it is very high in triglycerides.
3. Good cholesterol (High density lipoprotein - HDL)
It collects excess cholesterol and returns it to the liver.
Symptoms of high cholesterol
There are no symptoms of high cholesterol in the blood, as high cholesterol values are detected only by undergoing a blood test.
Causes and risk factors for high cholesterol
Cholesterol moves in the blood vessels by binding to certain proteins in the blood. This fusion between proteins and cholesterol is called lipoproteins in medical language. The factors that affect cholesterol are classified as follows:
1. Factors under control that affect cholesterol
There are many factors under control that contribute to raising the bad cholesterol on the one hand and decreasing the good cholesterol on the other hand, the most important of which are:
smoking
Cigarette smoking damages the walls of blood vessels, making them more likely to collect fatty deposits inside them. Smoking may also lead to lower levels of good cholesterol.
Overweight
If your BMI is higher than 30, your risk of high cholesterol is also likely to increase.
Malnutrition
Cholesterol-rich foods such as red meat, fatty milk products, and foods high in trans fats raise cholesterol levels.
Not doing physical activity
Physical activity helps the body in raising the level of good cholesterol and lowering the level of bad cholesterol.
2. Factors not under control
There are other factors that are not under control that can affect the level of cholesterol in the blood, including:
Genetic factors
Genetic factors can prevent the body''s cells from effectively removing excess LDL cholesterol from the blood or cause the liver to produce excess cholesterol.
Other risk factors
These groups are as follows
High blood pressure: High blood pressure on the walls of the arteries damages the arteries, which can accelerate the process of accumulating fatty deposits inside them.
Diabetes: High levels of sugar in the blood lead to higher values of bad cholesterol and lower values of good cholesterol.
Patients in the family: If one of the parents or one of the siblings had heart disease before reaching the age of fifty, high levels of cholesterol raise the risk of heart disease.
Complications of high cholesterol
High levels of cholesterol can lead to atherosclerosis, which is a dangerous buildup of cholesterol and other deposits on the walls of the arteries. These deposits called plaques may reduce the amount of blood flowing in the arteries. The following may occur:
If the affected arteries are the ones that deliver blood to the heart, chest pains and other symptoms are likely.
A blood clot can result, which may hinder blood flow, or the clot may break off and block another artery, as stopping the supply of blood to the heart leads to a heart attack, while stopping the supply of blood to the brain leads to a stroke.
Diagnosis of high cholesterol
A blood test that measures the level of cholesterol in the blood usually shows
Total cholesterol level.
harmful cholesterol level.
Good cholesterol level.
Triglyceride level.
Cholesterol treatment
Treatment includes the following
1. Lifestyle change
Making lifestyle changes are the first two necessary steps in treating high blood cholesterol, such as:
Always do physical activity.
Maintain a healthy and balanced diet.
2. Pharmacological treatment
If you have made important changes in your lifestyle, and yet the level of harmful cholesterol is still high, your doctor may advise you to take medication, as choosing the appropriate medication or coordinating between several types of medications to treat cholesterol depends on several factors, including: your existing risk factors, Your age, current health status and possible side effects.
Among the common and acceptable medications to treat cholesterol
Statins: It is the most common drug to lower the level of harmful cholesterol in the blood, as it hinders the secretion of the substance needed to produce cholesterol in the liver.
Bile acid binding resins: The liver uses cholesterol to produce bile, which is essential for digestion in the body. These drugs work by inhibiting this process.
Cholesterol absorption inhibitors: The small intestine absorbs the cholesterol in food and excretes it into the circulation. These drugs work to inhibit the absorption of cholesterol.
If your triglyceride levels are high, your cholesterol treatment may be
Fibrates.
Niacin.
A combination of niacin and a statin.
Most of these medications do not have serious side effects, but their effectiveness varies from person to person. However, if you decide to take medications to treat high cholesterol, your doctor may advise you to undergo periodic liver function tests to check the effects of these medications on your liver.
Prevention of high cholesterol
Here are the most important tips to prevent high cholesterol
Do regular physical activity every day.
Avoid all tobacco products, which can lower your risk of high cholesterol.
Get rid of excess weight.
Eat healthy, as foods rich in dietary fiber are almost as effective as statins in lowering cholesterol levels.
Avoid eating foods that contain trans fats.
Choose foods made from whole wheat. There are many substances in whole wheat that contribute to keeping your heart healthy.
Make sure to consume different types of vegetables and fruits.
Be sure to consume healthy fish, as there are many types of fish that contain low levels of fatty and scarce amounts of saturated fats and cholesterol compared to meat and chicken.
