When speaking of the dangers of cholesterol it is important to first understand the different types of cholesterol and how each functions in the body. Cholesterol is a type of steroid that travels through the body using the bloodstream. Some cholesterol is made by the liver and other cholesterol is obtained from dietary sources. Too much low-density lipoproteins, or LDL, cholesterol can increase a person's risk for heart disease. High-density lipoproteins, or HDL, cholesterol helps remove LDL from the arteries, lowering the risk for heart disease. But low HDL levels can also increase a person's risk of heart disease.
Arteriosclerosis
Too much cholesterol in the blood can combine with fat and other material and build up along artery walls, eventually causing the arteries to harden and thicken, a condition called arteriosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis can restrict blood flow to the organs. The U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute recommends that beginning at age 20, every American should have a blood panel checking cholesterol levels every five years. Cholesterol guidelines are based on how many risk factors a person has for developing heart disease. For instance having diabetes increases the risk level. For low risk individuals, the goal is to keep LDL levels below 160mg per deciliter.
High Blood Pressure
High cholesterol can increase blood pressure. There are two measurements of blood pressure, systolic and diastolic. Systolic pressure is the first number in a blood pressure reading and diastolic pressure is the second. Systolic pressure is how much force the heart exerts to pump blood. Diastolic pressure is how much force blood exerts as it moves through the arteries. High cholesterol damages the elasticity of the arteries, causing the heart to pump harder and leading to high blood pressure.
Heart Disease
Too much cholesterol in the blood increases the risk for developing heart disease. High blood cholesterol is one of five metabolic risk factors listed by the NHLBI. The other four risk factors are high blood pressure, abnormal blood sugar levels, a large waistline and an abnormal triglyceride level. Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the blood. A person with three or more metabolic risk factors has metabolic syndrome, at high risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes or stroke. According to the NHLBI, 25 percent of Americans have metabolic syndrome.
