What is cholesterol?

A fat-like waxy material that is used to make cell membranes, vitamin D, and hormones in the body. Cholesterol in the blood comes from two sources, first, the food we eat, and second is the liver. About 80% of the cholesterol is made by the liver and the rest is from food we consume. The liver makes all the cholesterol that is needed by the body. So one may not need to consume cholesterol through diet as high consumption may cause coronary heart disease.

Some fats and cholesterol are carried in the blood stream in the form of spherical particles that are called lipoproteins. It is very important for the synthesis of hormones and vitamin D in the body. Cholesterol regulates the fluidity of membrane over the physiological temperatures.

Types of Cholesterol level in the body:

Cholesterol is found in two forms in our body that are

  1. Low density lipoprotein (LDL)

This type of cholesterol is a bad and unhealthy form of cholesterol. Low density Lipoprotein builds cholesterol in the arteries and makes fatty and waxy accumulation that are called plaques.

  1. High density lipoprotein (HDL)

It is said to be the healthy and good form of cholesterol in the body. Its function is to transport the excessive amount of cholesterol from the arteries to the liver that in turn removes it from the body.

Causes of high cholesterol in the body: (1)

Heart attacks and coronary heart diseases are caused by high cholesterol level in the arteries. Atherosclerosis is caused when the cholesterol build up in the arteries and narrow them. Plaque formed in the arteries causes restriction in the flow of blood. To manage cholesterol level in the body one should reduce the intake of diet that contains fat like:

  • Cholesterol: it is mostly present in the food that is from animal meat and cheese.
  • Saturated Fat: This is present in the meat, chocolates, baked items, dairy product, deep fried and processed food items.
  • Trans fats: This is usually present in the processed food and some fried items.

Higher LDL blood level is due to overweight or obesity.

Genetics factors are also associated with high level of cholesterol. People with the family history of hypercholesterolemia inherited cam develop very high level of LDL. Here are some other conditions linked with high cholesterol levels include:

  • Diabetes
  • Liver dysfunction
  • Kidney disease
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome
  • Conditions like pregnancy increases level of female hormones
  • Thyroid gland that is underactive
  • Sone drugs like progestins, anabolic steroids and corticosteroids increases the LDL cholesterol level while lower the HDL cholesterol level.

Sign and Symptoms of cholesterol(2):

No obvious symptoms are detected associated with problem in high level of cholesterol in the blood. But silently it can increase the risk of other problems linked with high level of cholesterol like angina, heart problems, high blood pressure and stroke. And also:

  • Xanthomas that is genetic predisposition of cholesterol and it is a soft yellowish growth appears on the skin.
  • People with diabetes and who are overweight usually have high level of cholesterol.
  • Impotence in men is caused by the arteries that are affected by high amount of cholesterol in the blood.

When to see your doctor?

  • When you find soft and yellowish lesions or growth on the skin then ask the doctor to test for high cholesterol level.
  • When you develop symptoms of heart disease, stroke and atherosclerosis and feel pain on the left side, pressure, fullness, dizziness, slurred speech, pain in the lower leg you should visit your doctor immediately because these conditions are associated with high cholesterol level and requires medical intervention immediately.

Diagnosis of cholesterol level in the body.

People with age 20 or above should keep an eye on the cholesterol level by testing at least one time every five years. As discussed earlier high cholesterol show no symptoms so one will be unaware if he or she is having excessive cholesterol in the blood. By lowering the level of cholesterol will in turn lessen the risk for heart attack or heart relevant diseases.

To check the level of cholesterol in the blood, doctor will take a blood sample and performs the blood test that is called lipoprotein profile. Lipoprotein profile give the following results of

  • LDL that is low density lipoprotein also called bad cholesterol
  • HDL is high density lipoprotein and quoted as good cholesterol
  • Triglycerides
  • Total cholesterol level

With this blood test, doctor will discuss your family medical history and perform a physical exam checking the heart rate, blood pressure and listens your heartbeat.

If one is suspected with high cholesterol level and in case he is having risk factors of heart disease then doctor will recommend further tests. Doctor will recommend various treatments by changing the lifestyle including dietary changes and some medications to lower the risk and cholesterol in the blood.

Treatments for cholesterol(2):

Best treatment for controlling the cholesterol level in the blood is by changing the lifestyle by doing exercise and consuming a healthy diet that contains less fat and have the vest defense for cholesterol. If these changes in lifestyle do not lower the level of cholesterol than your doctor might recommends medication for reducing the level. Medications are prescribed according to the age and health factors while considering the side effects. Some medications are:

  • Statins: includes the drugs like atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, pitivastatin, rosuvastatin and simuvastatin.
  • Bile acid binding resins: includes the medications like cholestyramine, colestipol, colesevelam.
  • Cholesterol absorption inhibitors: includes the medication such as ezetimide that lower the cholesterol by reducing the absorption of dietary fat or cholesterol.
  • Injectable medications: a new class of drugs also called PCSK9 such as Alirocumab and evolocumab.

Medication for high triglycerides.

  • Fibrates: medications like fenofibrate and gemifibrozil is used to reduce LDL
  • Niacin: it limits the livers ability to produce LDL as well as VLDL cholesterol. But it can also cause damage to the liver so it has very limit use.
  • Omega-3 fatty acid supplements: it can help in lowering the triglycerides.

Effective Lifestyle and home remedies

To improve the level of cholesterol you must follow:

  • Lose extra pounds
  • Eat a healthy diet
  • Exercise regularly
  • Don’t smoke

References:

  1. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/9152
  2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350806