Cholesterol is a waxy substance detected in blood and it’s not inherently “bad.” Our body needs cholesterol to build cells and make vitamins and other hormones. But too much cholesterol can causes a problem.
Cholesterol comes from two ways. One liver makes all the cholesterol your body need. The rest of the cholesterol in your body comes from animals foods. For example, meat, poultry and dairy products all contain dietary cholesterol.
Types of Cholesterol
There are two types of cholesterol include:
- LDL cholesterol, which is bad
- HDL, which is good
Symptoms of Cholesterol
High cholesterol mostly doesn’t cause any symptoms. Mostly, it only causes emergency events. For instance, a heart attack or stroke.
A blood test is the only way to diagnose if your cholesterol is too high. This means having a total blood cholesterol level above 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).
Causes of cholesterol
Medical issues that can cause unhealthy cholesterol levels include:
- Chronic kidney disease
- Diabetes
- HIV/AIDS
- Hypothyroidism
- Lupus
Cholesterol Complications
High cholesterol can cause a dangerous cholesterol accumulation and other deposits on the walls of your arteries (atherosclerosis). These deposits (plaques) can decrease flow of blood through your arteries, which can cause complications, such as:
- Chest pain
- Heart attack
- Stroke
Cholesterol Prevention
To prevent high cholesterol, you can:
- Eat a low-salt diet that include fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
- Limit the animal fats and use good fats in moderation.
- Lose extra pounds and maintain a good healthy weight
- Quit smoking.
- Exercise on most week days for at least 30 minutes.
- Manage stress.
