Why is High Cholesterol Bad for You?
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a fat-like, waxy substance that is found in the blood. Your body produces it naturally to help build cells, produce important hormones and make vitamin D. However, too much in your system can be a problem.
There are 2 mains types of cholesterol: ‘good’, which, in technical terms, is known as high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and ‘bad’, which is known as low-density lipoprotein (LDL).
LDL leaves cholesterol deposits in your bloodstream, while HDL carries deposits back to the liver to prevent a build-up in your blood vessels.
A high level of bad will increase your สมัคร ufabet กับเรา รับโบนัสทันที chances of these deposits building up. This is known as plaque, and, if built up excessively, will cause your blood vessels to become harder and narrower. This condition is known as atherosclerosis.
Sometimes, plaque build-ups become unstable and rupture. When this happens, a blood clot may form, further clogging up your already narrowed blood vessel. A life-threatening heart attack or stroke can quickly ensue.
A build-up of triglycerides can also make this situation worse. Basically, any calories you eat that your body doesn’t use will be turned into triglycerides and stored in your fat cells. Higher-than-normal triglyceride levels also put you at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, such as a heart attack or stroke.
How high is too high, and when should I seek treatment?
Unfortunately in itself doesn’t have any symptoms. That means you won’t know you have it without visiting your doctor for a routine screening.
If you’re over 40 years old, you should definitely have your levels check on a regular basis – preferably at least every 3 years. If you’re below 40 years of age but know you’re at risk of heart disease, you should also undergo routine screening regularly.
Not sure if you’re at risk? Go for regular cholesterol screenings if you smoke cigarettes regularly, or have any of the following
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- A family history of heart disease before the age of 50 in male relatives, or before the age of 60 in female relatives
- A family history of familial hypercholesterolemia (a condition that means your body is unable to remove LDL from the blood)
If you have recently had a cholesterol blood test and the levels are in the range of borderline high or high, consult your family doctor for a review. Depending on your personal risk status, your doctor may prescribe a cholesterol-lowering medication.
For triglycerides, a level of 2.3 – 4.4mmol/L falls into the high range.