7 Causes Of High Cholesterol That You Should Know!

Introduction

Cholesterol is essential for good health but high blood cholesterol can increase your risk for heart disease. The body uses cholesterol to produce many hormones and bile acids, which help in the process of digestion.

Cholesterol is a wax-like substance. Hence, when there is too much of it in your body, it builds up in the walls of your arteries. This might hamper the blood flow to the heart resulting in chest pains and heart-related problems. High blood cholesterol has been one of the primary causes of Coronary Heart Disease and may necessitate bypass surgery.

Read about Bypass Surgery: Purpose and Procedure.

Every once in 5 years, people of age 20 and above should have their blood cholesterol levels checked. It is recommended to take a blood test called a Lipid Profile Test.

There are mainly two types of Cholesterol – good cholesterol and bad cholesterol, based on their impact on our body. The bad one is called Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and the good one is called High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Triglyceride is another type of fat that is present in our body and abnormally high levels can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. 

7 Causes of High Blood Cholesterol

1. Unhealthy Diet: Diets high in carbohydrates, sugar, red meat, high-fat, deep-fried and processed foods, bakery items etc. make your blood cholesterol levels go up. 

2. Overweight: The extra flab in your body is an indication of possible heart disease in the future. Being overweight tends to increase cholesterol levels in the body.

3. Lack of sufficient physical activity: Lack of physical activity puts you at risk of gaining weight and having more fat in your body rather than muscle. Physical activity helps to improve your good cholesterol and hence it is advisable to exercise or keep the body active for a minimum of 30 minutes every day.

4. Age: This is not as much in your control, however in some cases, irrespective of age or gender, you might have high cholesterol levels.

5. Hereditary: Well, if it runs in the family, don’t be surprised if you suffer from high blood cholesterol.

6. Alcohol: If you are already suffering from high cholesterol, then alcohol does not help at all. Drinking too much alcohol can increase your triglyceride levels, damage the liver and heart muscle and cause high blood pressure.

7. Mental Stress: There is a popular saying ”I eat when I am stressed”; a lot of studies back this statement as it is proved that people who are stressed eat fatty and sugary foods and this can in the long-run lead to high cholesterol. Moreover, persistent stress can raise the levels of stress hormones which in turn impact your cholesterol levels in the long run. Read more on different relaxation techniques that can help with distressing.

The most effective way to manage high blood cholesterol is by modifying your lifestyle. Following a healthy diet can help you monitor calorie intake and also keep a tab on weight gain. Also, being physically active helps to keep cholesterol in control.

It is important to consult a doctor and follow their advice. For some individuals, doctors may prescribe cholesterol-lowering medicines as well. These medicines effectively lower LDL and triglyceride levels and are safe for most people. However, remember, nothing will be effective until you bring a change in your lifestyle.

Must Read: 6 Simple Ways to Reduce Cholesterol

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

1