High Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a lipid (fat). It is manufactured by the liver and fat obtained from the foods we eat, and is vital for normal body functioning.
Cholesterol is present in the membrane of each cell in the body and insulates nerve fibers is essential for the release of many hormones.
Cholesterol also enables the body to produce bile salts, being carried in the blood by molecules called lipoproteins. There are different types of lipoproteins, but the three main ones are:
* Low density lipoprotein (LDL). This is often known as bad cholesterol and is thought to increase arterial disease (ie, in the arteries). It carries cholesterol from the liver cells and can cause a build if it is too harmful to use the cells. Normally, blood contains about 70% of LDL, but the level varies from person to person.
* High-density lipoprotein (HDL). This is often referred to as “good” cholesterol, and is thought to prevent arterial disease. Removes cholesterol from the cells and returned to the liver where it is well digested or passed in the body as a waste product.
* Triglycerides are another type of fat in the blood. They are found in dairy products, meat and cooking oils. Triglycerides are also produced by the liver. People who are overweight, eat a diet high in fat or sugary foods or drink a large amount of alcohol have an increased risk of high triglycerides.
The amount of cholesterol in the blood can range from 3.6 to 7.8 mmol / liter. More 6mmol/litre is considered high, and is a risk factor for arterial disease, it is recommended that the cholesterol level is less than 5, however, two out of three adults have a total cholesterol level 5 or above.
The evidence indicates that elevated levels of cholesterol can cause a narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis), heart attacks and accidents. The risk of coronary heart disease also rises as the level of blood cholesterol. If other risk factors are present, such as high blood pressure and smoking, the risk increases even more.
Complications
Elevated levels of cholesterol may be aggravated by any other medical conditions you may have. Medical problems such as low-active thyroid gland, an overactive pituitary gland, liver, or kidney failure, may contribute to high levels of cholesterol . Some people have inherited disorders such as familial hyperchloresterolaemia or combined hyperlipidaemia, that prevent fats to be used properly and eliminated from the body. This allows cholesterol to accumulate in the blood. The main complications of high blood cholesterol are heart attacks, strokes and arterial disease. The risks of these are increased if: * You are overweight * Smoke * Have high blood pressure * You have a strong family history of these conditions * You have diabetes
Symptoms
The high cholesterol is not a disease in itself, but is linked to serious conditions such as cardiovascular disease (heart and blood vessels), angina pectoris, stroke and mini stroke, known as accident transient ischemic attack (TIA). A high level of cholesterol in your blood, along with high triglyceride levels may increase your risk of developing coronary heart disease.
Coronary artery disease is caused by a narrowing of the arteries that fill the heart with blood. This narrowing of the arteries is called atherosclerosis. Fatty deposits like cholesterol, cellular waste products, calcium and other substances accumulate in the inner lining of an artery. This buildup, called plaque, usually affects small and medium-sized arteries.
The flow of blood through the arteries is restricted as the inside diameter is reduced. Blood clots, which often occur in coronary arteries during a heart attack are more likely to develop when arterial walls are harsh by the buildup of fatty deposits.
A high cholesterol level can only be revealed if you have symptoms of atherosclerosis. These may include:
* Angina pectoris, caused by the reduction of the coronary arteries in the heart.
* Pain in the legs when you exercise , due to narrowing of the arteries supplying the lower extremities.
* Blood clots and ruptured blood vessels transient ischemic attack (TIA).
* Plaque rupture, which can lead to the formation of a blood clot in an artery that delivers blood to the heart (coronary thrombosis), and can lead to heart failure in case of damage to a significant amount of heart muscle.
* Yellow spots (Xanthomas) around the eyes or elsewhere on the skin. These are cholesterol deposits and can be often seen in people with inherited or familial cholesterol (where your family members have a history of high cholesterol ).