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Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in all the cells in your body. Your body needs some cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help you digest food. Your body makes cholesterol, but it is also found in foods from animal sources. When you have high cholesterol in your blood, it can combine with other substances in the blood to form plaque.
What Is High Cholesterol?
High cholesterol occurs when there are high levels of lipids (fats) in the blood. These lipids include low-density lipoprotein (LDL), often called “bad” cholesterol. While the body requires cholesterol for building healthy cells, elevated levels can lead to health complications. High-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good” cholesterol, helps carry cholesterol from other tissues back to your liver, where it is removed.
The condition itself usually does not present any symptoms. A blood test is the only way to detect if you have it. This test, called a lipid panel, reports your total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Factors like diet, weight, physical activity, smoking, and genetics can influence cholesterol levels.
How Does It Affect Health?
Elevated cholesterol levels can contribute to atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque on the inner walls of your arteries. This plaque is a mixture of cholesterol, fats, calcium, and other substances found in the blood. This buildup can narrow the arteries, restricting blood flow to various parts of the body.
When atherosclerosis affects the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart, it is known as coronary artery disease. This is the most common type of heart disease. The reduced blood flow may cause chest pain, or angina. If a plaque deposit ruptures, a blood clot can form. This clot may block the flow of blood to the heart muscle, causing a heart attack.
If plaque builds up in the arteries leading to the brain, it can cause a stroke. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of your brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing brain tissue from getting oxygen and nutrients. When atherosclerosis affects the arteries in the limbs, typically the legs, it is called peripheral artery disease (PAD).
How Is It Managed?
Managing high cholesterol often involves a combination of lifestyle modifications and medication. A healthcare provider can recommend a plan tailored to an individual’s specific needs and risk factors. Lifestyle changes are a foundational part of managing cholesterol levels.
Adopting a heart-healthy eating plan is beneficial. Regular physical activity can help raise HDL cholesterol levels. Maintaining a healthy weight and quitting smoking are also impactful steps. Smoking damages the walls of your blood vessels, making them more prone to accumulating fatty deposits.
For some people, lifestyle changes alone may not be enough to lower cholesterol. In these situations, a doctor may prescribe medications. Statins are the most common type of medication used to lower LDL cholesterol.
Confer With a Heart Specialist
Understanding your cholesterol numbers and their impact on your health is a proactive step toward long-term wellness. A heart specialist can provide a comprehensive evaluation of your cardiovascular risk. They may perform specialized tests to assess the health of your heart and arteries. Working with a specialist allows for precise adjustments to your treatment plan and monitoring of your progress over time.
