High Cholesterol: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

High cholesterol is a very common health concern affecting adults worldwide, including those in Qatar. It often shows no symptoms, but it can affect you silently, and if you leave it unmonitored, high cholesterol can lead to severe health problems like heart attacks or strokes. In this blog, Care n Cure Pharmacy will guide you in understanding the symptoms of high cholesterol, causes, and treatments of this condition, and help you manage it through lifestyle changes and by opting for suitable treatment options.

What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a fat-like waxy substance in every cell of the body, either naturally produced by the liver or absorbed from the food you eat, especially from animal products like meat, eggs and dairy. It is essential in the body for producing hormones, Vitamin D and bile acids, but too much cholesterol, especially low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, can be a problem. 

That’s why balancing the body's production and dietary intake is essential through a combination of a heart-healthy diet, exercise, and, if necessary, medications. Now, you know what cholesterol is, and let’s move on to the types of cholesterol you should know about in detail.

Types of Cholesterol

Triglycerides, High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL), and Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) are the various forms of cholesterol.

• Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol: The "bad" cholesterol that accumulates in the walls of your arteries and forms plaque, causing blockages and increasing your risk of a heart attack or stroke.

• High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Cholesterol: The "good" cholesterol that removes excess cholesterol from the bloodstream, which is then transported to the liver for elimination.

• Triglycerides are a type of fat in the bloodstream. High levels, when combined with LDL and HDL, can cause artery hardening and increase the risk of heart disease.

Symptoms & Causes Of High Cholesterol

High cholesterol is a silent condition that is symptomless until it leads to serious complications like a heart attack or stroke. The leading causes of high cholesterol are mainly unhealthy lifestyle habits like poor high cholesterol diet, which is high in saturated fats, lack of exercise, smoking and obesity. 

Genetics also play a role in high cholesterol because some people inherit familial hypercholesterolemia, which causes dangerously high cholesterol levels from a young age. Most people are unaware of their cholesterol levels until they undergo a blood test. Understanding your family history, getting regular screenings, and leading a healthy lifestyle are all critical steps in preventing and managing high cholesterol.

What Are Normal Cholesterol Levels?

Here is a table showing normal cholesterol levels by age group and sex.

Key Risk Factors for High Cholesterol

Understanding the primary causes of high cholesterol is crucial for preventing and effectively treating it. Typically, risk factors include lifestyle choices, underlying health issues, and genetic predisposition. By understanding these factors, you can take proactive steps to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

• Lifestyle-related: The unhealthy diet high in saturated fats, smoking and lack of physical activity can significantly result in an elevated cholesterol level.

• Medical conditions: Diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome increase the likelihood of high cholesterol.

• Family history: Genetic predisposition, such as familial hypercholesterolemia, can cause high cholesterol even if you lead a healthy lifestyle.

Effective Prevention Strategies

Healthy eating, regular exercise, and making good lifestyle choices can prevent high cholesterol. People can maintain ideal cholesterol levels and promote long-term cardiovascular health by making educated decisions and implementing long-lasting changes.

• Diet and nutrition: Eat heart-healthy foods like whole grains, vegetables, and fruits, lean proteins such as chicken; and healthy fats like nuts, seeds, and others, while minimising saturated and trans fats found in fried foods, processed meats, full-fat dairy products, and baked goods, as these can cause elevated cholesterol levels.

• Physical Activity: Engage in regular exercise, even if it's just 30 minutes of moderate physical activity.

• Lifestyle Changes: Quit smoking, maintain a healthy weight, and manage stress to support healthy cholesterol levels.

Is High Cholesterol Hereditary?

Yes, there are chances of high cholesterol being hereditary, primarily due to a genetic condition named familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). This condition causes very high LDL cholesterol in a person’s body from birth. It therefore results in the risk of having early heart disease. Since it is an inherited disorder, it can be passed down through families. 

So, its early detection and management can be done through making a family medical history. To control their cholesterol levels, people with FH may require aggressive treatment, along with medication and lifestyle modifications. It makes knowing the family medical history so crucial to identify those who are at risk of FH and prevent serious cardiovascular complications.

Conclusion

Now that you know that high cholesterol is a silent yet serious problem, don’t make the mistake of leaving it unmonitored. Have an understanding of what cholesterol is, its types, your family medical history and its risks so that you can take control over it. Additionally, monitor your cholesterol levels regularly through checkups and guidance from a doctor, even if you have no symptoms. If you need trusted medications and support, you can visit Care n Cure Pharmacy.

Written By : Tina Joy

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. Can high cholesterol be reversed?

Ans: Yes, of course, there are many cases where high cholesterol has been lowered by adopting a healthy diet, regular exercise, weight loss, and quitting smoking. In severe cases, medications may also be necessary.

2. How often should cholesterol be checked?

Ans: Adults are recommended to check their cholesterol levels every 4 to 6 years, which can be done through a simple blood test. But if you have a family history of heart disease, take advice from a doctor and do more frequent testing.

3. What foods raise cholesterol the most?

Ans: Foods that are high in saturated fats and trans fats. It includes fried foods, processed meats, full-fat dairy products, and baked goods, which can cause elevated cholesterol levels.

4. Are medications necessary for everyone?

Ans: Medications are not always necessary. Sometimes people only need lifestyle changes to manage cholesterol, while some need medication, especially for people with genetic conditions like familial hypercholesterolemia.

5. What types of cholesterol medications are available at Care n Cure Pharmacy?

Ans: Care N Cure Pharmacy offers cholesterol-lowering medications, including statins such as Crestor (rosuvastatin), which are effective in reducing LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and are commonly prescribed to manage high cholesterol.

6. What happens when cholesterol is high?

Ans: High cholesterol forms plaque buildup in your arteries, causing blockages that reduce blood flow and thereby increase the chance of cardiovascular issues.

7. Which foods increase cholesterol?

Ans: Red meat, butter, cheese, processed snacks, and fast food are among the foods known to increase cholesterol levels due to their high content of saturated and trans fats.

8. Can I consult a pharmacist regarding my heart medications?

Ans: Absolutely. If you have any queries or concerns about your prescriptions, Care n Cure Pharmacy offers pharmacist consultations.