Introduction
High cholesterol is a serious health concern that can lead to heart disease, stroke, and other serious medical conditions. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to detect high cholesterol levels without a blood test. However, there are some subtle signs that may indicate your cholesterol is too high. Eating the right foods and avoiding unhealthy ones can help keep your cholesterol levels in check. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the subtle signs that your cholesterol is too high and provide tips on what to eat and what to avoid.
Subtle Signs Your Cholesterol is Too High — Eat This Not That
High cholesterol is a serious health concern, and it can be difficult to detect. While there are no obvious signs of high cholesterol, there are some subtle signs that can indicate that your cholesterol levels are too high. Knowing these signs can help you take steps to lower your cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease.
1. Fatigue
Fatigue is one of the most common signs of high cholesterol. If you find yourself feeling tired and sluggish more often than usual, it could be a sign that your cholesterol levels are too high. If you are experiencing fatigue, it is important to get your cholesterol levels checked.
2. Weight Gain
Weight gain can be a sign of high cholesterol. If you have been gaining weight without making any changes to your diet or exercise routine, it could be a sign that your cholesterol levels are too high. If you are gaining weight, it is important to get your cholesterol levels checked.
3. Joint Pain
Joint pain is another sign of high cholesterol. If you are experiencing joint pain, it could be a sign that your cholesterol levels are too high. If you are experiencing joint pain, it is important to get your cholesterol levels checked.
4. Skin Problems
Skin problems can also be a sign of high cholesterol. If you are experiencing dry, itchy skin, it could be a sign that your cholesterol levels are too high. If you are experiencing skin problems, it is important to get your cholesterol levels checked.
What to Eat to Lower Cholesterol
If you are experiencing any of the signs of high cholesterol, it is important to make changes to your diet to help lower your cholesterol levels. Eating foods that are high in fiber, such as oatmeal, beans, and fruits, can help lower cholesterol levels. Eating foods that are low in saturated fat, such as fish, lean meats, and low-fat dairy products, can also help lower cholesterol levels. Finally, eating foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, walnuts, and flaxseed, can help lower cholesterol levels.
What Not to Eat to Lower Cholesterol
In addition to eating foods that can help lower cholesterol levels, it is important to avoid foods that can raise cholesterol levels. Foods that are high in saturated fat, such as red meat, full-fat dairy products, and processed foods, should be avoided. Foods that are high in trans fats, such as fried foods and processed snacks, should also be avoided. Finally, foods that are high in cholesterol, such as eggs and shellfish, should be avoided.
High cholesterol can be a serious health concern, and it is important to be aware of the signs of high cholesterol. If you are experiencing any of the signs of high cholesterol, it is important to get your cholesterol levels checked and make changes to your diet to help lower your cholesterol levels.
Cholesterol is vital to many crucial processes in the human body, and managing cholesterol levels is important for overall health. “Cholesterol is a fat-like, waxy substance that helps your body make cell membranes, many hormones, and vitamin D,” says Seth Shay Martin, M.D., M.H.S. “The cholesterol in your blood comes from two sources: the foods you eat and your liver. Your liver makes all the cholesterol your body needs. Cholesterol and other fats are carried in your bloodstream as spherical particles called lipoproteins. The two most commonly known lipoproteins are low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL).” Here are subtle signs of hyperlipidemia to be aware of, according to experts. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
Too-high levels of cholesterol can increase your risk of heart attack, heart disease and stroke, doctors warn. “For people who have plaque in their arteries or who have other factors that put them at risk for cardiovascular disease, doctors recommend an ideal LDL level well below 70 mg/dl,” says Dr. Martin. “For those without risk factors who have an LDL level at or above 190 mg/dl, the recommendation is to get this level down to below 100 mg/dl. People age 40 to 75 who are living with diabetes and whose LDL is at 70 or above may need medication.”
Experts warn that many women are unaware of how high their cholesterol might be. “Approximately 45 percent of women over the age of 20 have a total cholesterol of 200 mg/dl and above, which is considered elevated—but a survey by the American Heart Association found that 76 percent of women say they don’t even know what their cholesterol values are,” says Erin Donnelly Michos, M.D., M.H.S. “A high level of triglycerides seems to predict an even greater risk for heart disease in women compared with men.”
High cholesterol can lead to heart disease and stroke—so never ignore symptoms such as chest pain, trouble breathing, and unexplained pain in the arms and legs. “The main risk associated with high cholesterol is coronary heart disease (CHD),” says the Cleveland Clinic. “Your blood cholesterol level has a lot to do with your chances of getting heart disease. If your cholesterol is too high, it builds up on the walls of your arteries. Over time, this buildup is known as atherosclerosis. This condition causes arteries to become narrowed, and the narrowed blood vessels reduce blood flow to the heart. This can result in angina (chest pain) from not enough blood flow getting to the heart, or a heart attack in cases when a blood vessel is blocked completely and the heart muscle begins to die.”
High cholesterol is closely linked with type 2 diabetes. “Type 2 diabetes is another disease linked to high cholesterol because diabetes can affect the different cholesterol levels,” warns the Cleveland Clinic. “Even if blood sugar control is good, people with diabetes tend to have increased triglycerides, decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and sometimes increased low-density lipoprotein (LDL). This increases the likelihood of developing atherosclerosis.”
Studies show the COVID-19 virus is more dangerous for people with high cholesterol, leading to a significantly higher rate of potential heart attack. “These results are significant because these data underscore the importance of understanding if individuals have underlying cardiovascular disease or genetic high cholesterol when treating for COVID-19 infection or considering vaccination,” says Kelly Myers, chief technology officer of the Family Heart Foundation.
Follow the public health fundamentals and help end this pandemic, no matter where you live—get vaccinated or boosted ASAP; if you live in an area with low vaccination rates, wear an N95 face mask, don’t travel, social distance, avoid large crowds, don’t go indoors with people you’re not sheltering with (especially in bars), practice good hand hygiene, and to protect your life and the lives of others, don’t visit any of these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.
Ferozan Mast