Introduction
High cholesterol is a major health concern for many people. It can lead to serious health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, and even death. While there are many lifestyle changes that can help lower cholesterol, it is important to be aware of the potential side effects of having too much cholesterol in your body. In this article, we will discuss the side effects of having way too high cholesterol, and what you can do to reduce your risk. We will also provide some tips on how to eat healthier and make lifestyle changes that can help lower your cholesterol levels.
Side Effects of “Way Too High Cholesterol”
Having high cholesterol can be a serious health concern. It can lead to a number of health problems, including heart disease, stroke, and even death. It is important to understand the side effects of having way too high cholesterol so that you can take steps to lower it and protect your health.
Risk of Heart Disease
High cholesterol can increase your risk of developing heart disease. This is because cholesterol can build up in your arteries, making it harder for blood to flow through them. This can lead to a heart attack or stroke. It is important to get your cholesterol levels checked regularly and to make lifestyle changes to lower your cholesterol if it is too high.
Risk of Diabetes
Having high cholesterol can also increase your risk of developing diabetes. This is because high cholesterol can damage the cells in your pancreas, which are responsible for producing insulin. Without enough insulin, your body can’t process sugar properly, leading to high blood sugar levels and diabetes.
Risk of Kidney Disease
High cholesterol can also increase your risk of developing kidney disease. This is because cholesterol can build up in your kidneys, making it harder for them to filter out waste and toxins from your body. This can lead to kidney failure and other serious health problems.
Risk of High Blood Pressure
High cholesterol can also increase your risk of developing high blood pressure. This is because cholesterol can narrow your arteries, making it harder for blood to flow through them. This can lead to high blood pressure, which can cause a number of health problems, including heart attack and stroke.
Risk of Memory Loss
High cholesterol can also increase your risk of developing memory loss. This is because cholesterol can damage the cells in your brain, making it harder for them to store and recall information. This can lead to memory loss and other cognitive problems.
Conclusion
Having way too high cholesterol can be a serious health concern. It can lead to a number of health problems, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease, high blood pressure, and memory loss. It is important to get your cholesterol levels checked regularly and to make lifestyle changes to lower your cholesterol if it is too high.
We need cholesterol for our overall health, but too much is a bad thing. High cholesterol can cause major health problems and is called a silent killer because there’s often no warning signs. While high cholesterol can be inherited, lifestyle choices like poor diet, lack of exercise and smoking can increase the risk. Dr. Bayo Curry-Winchell, Urgent Care Medical Director and Physician, Carbon Health and Saint Mary’s Hospital explains the difference between good and bad cholesterol and how it can affect your health. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
Dr. Curry-Winchell says, “The ‘good’ cholesterol helps protect vital organs such as your heart from a stroke or heart attack by carrying the unhealthy “bad” cholesterol to the liver. This process ultimately helps decrease the amount of cholesterol (also referred to as plaque) from settling within the walls of your blood vessels. The “good” cholesterol is vital in helping to reduce your risk for a cardiac event.”
Dr. Curry-Winchell shares, “It’s important to remember your liver naturally makes enough cholesterol for your body. Extra cholesterol comes from the food you eat. The excess amount is referred to as ‘bad’ cholesterol. The “extra” can build up in the walls of your arteries. It’s referred to as atherosclerosis, a reduction or blockage that causes narrowing of the blood vessels impacting blood flow to the heart.”
According to Dr. Curry-Winchell, “You are considered to have high cholesterol if your total cholesterol (which includes your LDL ‘bad’ and HDL ‘good’) is over 200. The goal is to have less than 100 mg/dL of ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol and more than 40 mg/dL of the ‘good’ HDL cholesterol.”
Dr. Curry-Winchell explains, “A heart attack or stroke also referred to as a myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular accident can be a result from excess cholesterol within the arteries that have decreased or blocked arteries from transporting blood to the heart. A cardiac event from high cholesterol can be life altering.”
“As cholesterol builds up within your vessels it decreases the amount of blood allowed to flow to your heart,” Dr. Curry-Winchell says. “This leads to less blood flow and oxygen delivered to the heart which ultimately causes more stress on the heart and pain in the chest often referred to as angina.”
Dr. Curry-Winchell states, “Too much cholesterol can cause gallstones to form. A pain that is linked to intermittent stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting.”
“It is important to know that high cholesterol can be a silent disease,” Dr. Curry-Winchell emphasizes. “You may not have any symptoms. The only way to know if you have high cholesterol is to get screened. A blood test and talking to your health care provider will allow you to know your risks of a cardiac event.”
Heather Newgen