The Future Of Health High cholesterol is a common disease among people of all ages. However, many of them did not even know about this health issue until they visited doctors and did tests. Besides, not everyone even understands the meaning of cholesterol and the reasons for its high level.
This review will explain what cholesterol is, why its high level is dangerous for health, and what its symptoms are.
Role of Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a product of the liver that looks like a fat substance and is a lipid. This substance is crucial for the normal operation of cells, hormones, and the formation of vitamin D. Lipoproteins help cholesterol to move through the body and perform its functions.
There is a difference between two lipoproteins types in their functions and roles — low density (LDL) and high density (HDL). Thus, cholesterol is also distinguished into two types, and here we should focus on LDL cholesterol. The main health problems are caused by the former type of cholesterol — LDL.
This illness can lead to various consequences, such as heart attacks and others. The main danger of this disease is that it does not cause any symptoms in the beginning.
2. Symptoms of High Cholesterol
There is no way to identify high cholesterol without medical testing. Some people are more exposed to it and should go through the testing procedure regularly. Visiting a doctor, you should ask him or her if you need to make a screening and follow the instructions. This disease can occur anytime, especially when you are over 20 years old.
3. High Cholesterol Reasons
Many reasons can cause the development of this disease. One of the most common causes is poor diet and bad habits. Eating fatty food with a large amount of cholesterol and leading an inactive lifestyle makes you more sensitive to high cholesterol issues.
The high chance of facing high cholesterol issues can also be transmitted through genes from parents. Some genes determine the way your body processes fats and cholesterol. That is why you may be more exposed to this disease if your parents had the same problem.
Besides, other medical conditions influence the cholesterol level in the body. For instance, familial hypercholesterolemia or diabetes may cause high cholesterol and other health issues.
4. Cholesterol Types
LDL cholesterol is often called bad cholesterol, while HDL is good cholesterol. The reason for this is that LDL transfers cholesterol to arteries, and its high level causes barriers in the blood flow. On the other hand, HDL allows the removal of extra cholesterol and returns it to the liver.
Summing up, high cholesterol levels have many causes and are really hard to identify. That is why regular health screening is crucial, especially for those who are exposed to high cholesterol issues.