High Cholesterol: Causes And Treatment
The causes of high cholesterol are mainly related to unhealthy lifestyle, such as being overweight, eating a high-fat diet, not exercising, but certain diseases such as kidney disease, diabetes, pregnancy, hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary, and so on can cause high cholesterol.
Also, some medications, such as birth control pills, antidepressants, and diuretics, can raise cholesterol. Contrary to popular belief, smoking does not raise cholesterol, but it does lower “good” or HDL cholesterol.
The main causes of high cholesterol are related to unhealthy lifestyle, such as being overweight, eating a high-fat diet, lack of exercise, but certain diseases, such as kidney disease, diabetes, pregnancy, hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary and so on, can also lead to high cholesterol levels.
Cholesterol is a fatty substance that occurs naturally and is required for normal body function. However, when there is too much of this fat in the blood, it can narrow or block arteries, leading to heart disease. High cholesterol, medically known as hypercholesterolemia, usually has no subjective symptoms and can be detected by a blood test, but here we discuss the causes and treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Here, we explain the causes and treatment of hypercholesterolemia.
Causes of high cholesterol are mainly related to unhealthy habits, such as overweight, high-fat diet, lack of exercise, etc., but some diseases such as kidney disease, diabetes, pregnancy, hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary and so on can also cause high cholesterol.
Also, some medications can raise cholesterol, such as birth control pills, antidepressants, and diuretics. Contrary to popular belief, smoking does not raise cholesterol, but it does lower “good” or HDL cholesterol.
There are different types of cholesterol, the most common being
- High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL): Known as the “good” cholesterol.
- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL): Known as the “bad” cholesterol.
- Total Cholesterol: The sum of all cholesterol.
While a blood test can determine if your cholesterol level is high, a cholesterol test can also be used for more specific situations. Some doctors recommend getting the first test at age 20, but men over 35 and women over 45 should be tested in time to detect abnormalities.
It is important to remember the normal level of cholesterol in your body. If it is “good” cholesterol, it should be above 50 mg/dL, and if it is “bad” cholesterol, it should be between 70 and 150 mg/dL, high or low is a better indicator….. The ideal total cholesterol level should be between 10-150 mg /dL and triglycerides, and less than 200mg /dL.
Methods For Treating Cholesterol
In most cases, lifestyle changes are the main treatment for cholesterol.
- Exercise regularly.
- Quit smoking because it reduces the risk of stroke and heart disease.
- Avoid foods high in saturated fat.
- Eat more low-fat foods such as vegetables, grains, and fruits.
If being overweight causes high cholesterol, lose weight.
If you use sauces or condiments in your diet, choose low-fat ones.
Only prescribe cholesterol drugs if age-dependent lifestyle changes don’t work, whether you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease. The prognosis of this disease depends on how you change your lifestyle. If you don’t get proper treatment, you can develop serious diseases such as atherosclerosis.
To lower your cholesterol, you have to change your eating habits. To do this, start by eating five servings of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains a day, such as rice, bread, and pasta. Eating legumes, such as lentils and legumes at least three times a week, as well as fatty fish, such as salmon, sardines, and tuna, will provide you with “healthy” fats and nutrients and reduce “bad” cholesterol.
Avoid foods high in saturated fat, such as fast-food chains, as they can have a serious impact on cardiovascular health. Substitute fat-free foods for full-fat dairy and eat lean meats such as chicken, rabbit, Turkey, and veal such as tenderloin, vacuum-packed, and sirloin. Sausages, egg yolks, and industrial confectionery should be considered taboo foods to lower cholesterol.
To learn more about high-cholesterol diets, we recommend the article “Foods that Lower Cholesterol.”
When our cholesterol levels are abnormal, it builds up in our arteries, blocking them and preventing blood from flowing properly to the heart by forming blood clots. A heart attack or stroke occurs when the arteries no longer supply blood to the heart; A stroke occurs when an artery fails to supply blood to the brain.
