Many people in society today suffer high cholesterol without having any symptoms of high cholesterol. You may want to know how it can affect you so read on…
Cholesterol is a fat that circulates in our bloodstream. It is in important component in the structure of cells, hormones and our energy levels. Cholesterol is created by the body itself and through the foods we eat. When the amount of cholesterol gets above the limit that the body needs it begins to get stuck on the walls of the arteries and starts to restrict blood flow. Once this begins to happen the risk of blood clots, heart disease, heart attack and stroke also begin to increase significantly.
The symptoms of high cholesterol just don’t exist. Without taking a simple blood test to check what levels are there are no obvious indicators. In a few patients there is some evidence of white rings in the eye, but this is not common. Gallstones are occasionally called a pseudo symptom as they are linked with a fatty diet.
So needing to use blood testing is the most proactive way to find high cholesterol. There are two types of cholesterol in our bloodstreams at any time. HDL is the good version as it transports the bad cholesterol LDL back to the liver where it can be broken down.
Once high cholesterol has been diagnosed it is initial treatment is by trying to change diet and lifestyle elements. Diets high in saturated fats – which are common in animal products – are a risk factor so decreasing the saturated fats and increasing complex carbohydrates found in cereals and root vegetables and increased fruit and fibre are all shown to reduce cholesterol.
Increasing exercise levels, reducing weight and eliminating smoking are the lifestyle factors which have been shown to lower cholesterol levels.
The next stage if the way of life and eating alterations don’t work is to move to medications. Usually this happens after three to six months, this is to allow enough time for the changes made to start showing an affect as these are preferable than needing to take drugs. There are a number of cholesterol lowering drug on the market.
So while the symptoms of high cholesterol may be non-existent, finding out if you have high cholesterol is a simple process. Treating it may require life changes, but it is possible to treat.