What is cholesterol?
Even though cholesterol is something people tend to be afraid of, it isn’t inherently bad. Our bodies need cholesterol to function.
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance found in the blood and plays an essential role in building cells, producing hormones, and creating vitamin D.
There are two important types of cholesterol, and we will discuss both of them in this article. One is called low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and is considered ‘bad’ because it builds up in the artery walls, forming thick plaques. Over time, the plaques can restrict blood flow and cause serious conditions such as atherosclerosis. The other type of cholesterol is called high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and it helps remove LDL from the bloodstream, transporting it to the liver where it can be processed and eliminated.
Even though cholesterol can be inherited, there are a lot of cases where it represents a result of lifestyle choices. Not getting enough exercise, not having a balanced diet, or consuming high amounts of saturated fat can seriously contribute to high cholesterol levels.
Read on and find out more!
Can high cholesterol cause a heart attack?
Unfortunately, it has been shown that most Americans have dangerously high cholesterol levels. Laurence Sperling, MD, head of preventive cardiology at the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, says ”The higher the cholesterol, the higher the risk of heart and blood vessel disease”.
The body makes cholesterol, but you can also get it when you eat eggs, meats, and dairy products. The problem appears when you have more cholesterol than your body needs because that is when plaques form and cause other serious issues. For example, the formed plaques can clog arteries, and the reduced blood flow can easily lead to a stroke or even a heart attack. Sounds scary? Well, it really is. So, you need to regularly do your blood tests and keep your cholesterol levels under control.
The effects of high cholesterol
It’s really interesting how the risks and effects of cholesterol aren’t immediate. For example, high cholesterol in your 20s can affect you in your 50s. The damage accumulates over the years, sometimes even decades. Most Americans have dealt with high cholesterol levels, but didn’t feel the urgency to treat them because they felt like they had time. It represented a problem ”for later”.
”If you don’t do something about it, it can have terrible costs down the road,” says Sperling. So, that’s basically why a lot of adults are facing serious issues because of high cholesterol. It wasn’t treated from the beginning. Once the problem had the chance to evolve, it became harder and harder to keep under control.
8 Risk factors you shouldn’t ignore
1. Family history
When it comes to cholesterol, genetics plays an important role. If you know your parents or siblings have high cholesterol, your risk of developing cholesterol is clearly higher. You need to periodically do your blood tests, especially when such a condition runs in the family.
Checkups shouldn’t be overlooked because the bad part about cholesterol is that it usually doesn’t develop symptoms.
2. Poor diet
A poor diet can lead to elevated LDL (bad cholesterol) and decreased HDL (good cholesterol). Make sure you avoid any processed foods, saturated fats, trans fats, and refined sugar. Also, keep in mind that even if you are not overweight, what you eat directly impacts your cholesterol profile.
A healthy diet is extremely important for your overall well-being, not just for your cholesterol levels. Improving your diet and taking care of your body should be a top priority, especially in a world where fast food is becoming more and more popular.
We all know how easy it is to order a hamburger, but think about the consequences before prioritizing your comfort.
3. Lack of physical activity
A sedentary lifestyle reduces the body’s ability to regulate fats and sugars. Regular physical activity is extremely important in raising good cholesterol and lowering the bad cholesterol. Did you know that sitting at a desk or couch for too long can significantly increase your cholesterol without even realizing it?
Make a routine and walk at least 10,000 steps a day. This way, you’ll prevent weight gain, and you’ll also experience changes in the way you feel. Moving your body will boost your energy levels and increase your productivity.
Don’t be lazy and improve your lifestyle before it’s too late. Treating serious health conditions is way harder than preventing them.
4. Smoking
Are you tired of hearing how bad smoking is for your health? It really is… Cigarette smoke damages blood vessels, making it easier for cholesterol to stick and form plaques. And that’s not all! It also lowers your HDL, seriously impacting your overall cardiovascular health.
There are a lot of social and medical campaigns trying to make people understand the dangers of smoking and its effects on our health. However, most Americans still find it hard to convince them to give up on this unhealthy habit.
If you are one of them, take a moment and acknowledge the consequences. Your health should be more important than a habit.
5. Obesity
All those extra pounds, especially around your belly, are raising your total cholesterol levels, increasing triglycerides, and lowering your HDL. Even small changes in your weight can make significant differences in how your body processes fat.
Establish healthy routines and take care of your health. Once you have a balanced diet and daily physical activity you will see the changes not only in the way you feel but also in the way you look. Feeling great in your body is a must, especially in a world that is delivering unrealistic body types, forcing you to have false expectations. Love yourself first, accept the reality, and then do your best to improve any aspect that can be improved.
6. Diabetes
Diabetes can damage the inner lining of your arteries and contribute to high LDL cholesterol levels. So, all people suffering from high blood sugar are more likely to experience cholesterol-related complications, including heart attacks and strokes.
If you are dealing with diabetes, make sure to follow a healthy diet and move as much as you can. Keeping your body healthy and active helps you lower the risk of getting things out of control.
7. Stress
We live in a world of chaos, where nothing is like it used to be. Chronic stress levels are hard to keep under control, and, unfortunately, they contribute a lot to the increase of LDL and a decrease in HDL.
Stress is one of our biggest enemies nowadays because it also contributes to unhealthy behaviors like overeating, poor food choices, and a sedentary lifestyle. Improve your lifestyle and become the best version of yourself.
Another important thing you should pay attention to is your sleep. Poor sleep contributes a lot to inflammation in the body and is linked to higher cholesterol levels. Take some rest whenever you feel the need and establish a healthy sleeping schedule.
8. Alcohol consumption
Avoid excessive alcohol consumption. Even though a glass of red wine every now and then may raise HDL slightly, exaggerating can increase your total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The liver is responsible for processing alcohol, and when you overconsume, the process interferes with how the organ handles fats.
Replace the alcohol consumption habit that is causing serious health issues with something that improves your well-being. Try new hobbies, meet new people, and distract yourself from all the habits that are making you feel bad. Countless activities are waiting to be discovered. Don’t compromise your health for short moments of happiness, because in the long term, you’ll still suffer.
Before leaving, here is a low-cholesterol cookbook and action plan. It will help you improve your health in just 4 weeks. Are you ready to try? Feel free to share your journey in the comment section found below.
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