10 frequently asked questions about high cholesterol

How does high cholesterol affect the body, does it cause fatigue, lead to stroke… are common questions about high cholesterol.

High cholesterol puts patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke... Cholesterol is divided into 2 types: good cholesterol (HDL) and bad cholesterol (LDL). Although high cholesterol is a fairly common health condition, for many people, this condition still has many potential questions.

How does high cholesterol affect the body?

The American Heart Association (AHA) says high cholesterol can lead to hardening and narrowing of the arteries. Plaque buildup, a combination of cholesterol, fat, cellular waste, calcium, and fibrin... can reduce or block the flow of blood through the arteries. Lack of blood flow to the brain or heart increases the risk of stroke or heart attack.

Why do I have high cholesterol?

Lifestyle plays a big role in the development of high cholesterol. In addition to genetic factors, high cholesterol occurs due to a combination of unreasonable diet, inactivity, lack of exercise, overweight factors, smoking ...

Why follow a healthy lifestyle still have high cholesterol?

If you eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly but still have high cholesterol, the cause could be DNA or rather genetics. In the US, one in 250 people will have familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), a life-threatening genetic disorder that causes high cholesterol. The Heart Association of this country recommends that, when there is a family member with high cholesterol, parents should take their children for regular check-ups. The promotion period is when the child is over 9 years old.

Strong cold lifestyle, maintaining a reasonable weight is good for cholesterol status. Photo: Freepik

How to reduce cholesterol naturally?

Some people are able to lower their cholesterol without medication. Natural cholesterol reduction can be effective when combined with heart-healthy foods. This means reducing your intake of red meat and limiting your consumption of full-fat dairy products. Instead, you should increase the amount of lean protein - chicken, turkey, seafood every day, add more soluble fiber to the diet through fruits, oatmeal. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (USA) aerobic exercise most days of the week can also help lower cholesterol.

Does high cholesterol cause fatigue?

High cholesterol doesn't usually cause fatigue, but can lead to an increased risk of heart conditions, such as coronary artery disease. With this heart condition, excess bad cholesterol builds up in plaque in the heart's small arteries, causing them to narrow and harden. When the arteries are narrowed, reduced blood flow can cause fatigue, shortness of breath, and chest pain.

Can high cholesterol cause a stroke?

Patients have a high risk of stroke when excess cholesterol is circulating in the blood. LDL that builds up in the arteries slows or blocks the flow of oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood to various parts of the body including the brain. When arteries narrow and harden, blood clots can form, blocking them, leading to a stroke.

According to the American Stroke Association, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. One of the ways to help prevent stroke is to keep cholesterol levels in check.

High cholesterol can lead to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Photo: Freepik

Can high cholesterol cause erectile dysfunction?

High cholesterol doesn't cause erectile dysfunction (ED), but high cholesterol clogs arterial plaque, reducing blood flow needed for an erection. Excess bad cholesterol can also affect the body's ability to produce the hormone testosterone, nitric oxide, which interferes with the relaxation of penile tissues. Both of these factors can also lead to erectile dysfunction.

Does stress cause high cholesterol?

Although stress is not the main cause of high cholesterol, it can affect cholesterol levels. A study published in May 2017 in the American Journal of Medicine found that people who experience stress due to work or personal conflicts often have high cholesterol levels.

When should high cholesterol be treated with medication?

If you have a history of heart attack, stroke, or diabetes and have been diagnosed with hereditary high cholesterol, you will need to take one or more cholesterol-lowering medications. Besides taking medicine, you should also combine with diet and maintain exercise to reduce LDL cholesterol more effectively.

In some cases, after trying a healthy diet and lifestyle changes , but with high cholesterol levels left unchecked, your doctor may consider medication to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. stroke .

How long can you live with high cholesterol?

Untreated high cholesterol is associated with a lower life expectancy due to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. People with high cholesterol can still live long lives with high cholesterol if they follow a healthy lifestyle, including not smoking, getting moderate exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and following a heart-healthy diet.