What causes high cholesterol?

Main causes of high cholesterol

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The most common cause of high cholesterol is an unhealthy lifestyle, which includes:

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• Unhealthy eating habits:some text
  • Eating foods high in saturated fats (present in meats, dairy products, chocolate, baked goods and fried foods) or trans fats (present in some processed and fried foods) can raise bad cholesterol(LDL).
• Lack of physical activity:some text
  • A sedentary lifestyle lowers good cholesterol(HDL).
• Smoking:some text
  • It reduces good cholesterol(HDL) and increases bad cholesterol(LDL), especially in women.
    

In addition to lifestyle factors, genetics can also play a role. For example, familial hypercholesterolemia is an inherited disease that causes high cholesterol. Certain medical conditions and medications may also contribute.

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Risk factors for high cholesterol

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Several factors increase the likelihood of developing high cholesterol:

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• Age: Cholesterol levels naturally increase with age, but even children and adolescents can have high cholesterol.
• Family history: A family history of high cholesterol increases your risk.
• Race: Certain racial groups, such as African Americans, may have higher levels of good(HDL) and bad(LDL) cholesterol.
• Weight: Being overweight or obese contributes to elevated cholesterol levels.

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Health problems caused by high cholesterol

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High cholesterol can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries, which can:

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• Blocks blood flow: This can cause angina pectoris (chest pain) or myocardial infarction.
• Affect other arteries: Plaque buildup in arteries leading to the brain or extremities can cause:some text
  • Carotid artery disease.
  • Stroke.
  • Peripheral arterial disease.

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Detecting high cholesterol

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High cholesterol often has no symptoms and is detected by a blood test.

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Recommendations for testing:

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• Children (19 years old or younger):some text
  • First test between 9 and 11 years of age; repeat test every 5 years.
  • Testing may begin at age 2 years if there is a family history of high cholesterol or heart disease.
• Adults (20 years and older):
  some text
  • Test every 5 years for young adults.
  • Men aged 45-65 years and women aged 55-65 years should be tested every 1-2 years.

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How to reduce cholesterol

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Lower your cholesterol through these heart-healthy lifestyle changes:

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1. Adopt a healthy diet:some text
   • Focus on vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean proteins.
2. Exercise regularly:some text
   • Incorporate at least 30 minutes of moderate activity most days.
3. Control your weight.

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If lifestyle changes are not sufficient, medications such as statins may be prescribed. In severe cases, such as familial hypercholesterolemia, treatments such as lipoprotein apheresis may be used to filter bad cholesterol from the blood.

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Take control of your heart health

Schedule a cholesterol screening at Las Mercedes Medical Centers today to protect your heart and overall health.

‍Source: MedPlus.gov