The body needs cholesterol and fats to function properly. Cholesterol produces vitamin D once the skin is exposed to sunlight, repairs cellular structure and produces hormones like testosterone and estrogen. Fats, also called triglycerides, are an energy source and form a layer of fat on the body that provides insulation and protection. High levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, in the form of saturated fats, cause adverse health symptoms; however, symptoms do not appear until the body is damaged from over exposure; therefore, symptoms are usually severe, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center and MassGeneral Hospital for Children.
Angina
Angina is the sensation of pain or pressure in the chest when the heart does not receive enough oxygen. Initial symptoms of angina appear during times of emotional upheaval or physical activity, time periods when the heart requires more oxygen to function. The sensation lasts only a few minutes and it can radiate down the arms, to the back and into the jaw, throat or teeth. Angina occurs when triglycerides, or fats, and cholesterol deposit within the arteries of the heart. Over time they harden and form plaques that decrease the size of the arterial opening. Reduced blood supply through the arteries lessens oxygen delivery, which compromises heart function, this in turn causes chest pain, according to Cedars-Sinai Hospital.
Heart Attack
Heart attack, also known as myocardial infarction, is the leading cause of death in the United States. High cholesterol and triglycerides, in the form of saturated fat, form hardened plaques in the arteries of the heart, reducing blood and oxygen supply to the heart muscle. If the blood supply is completely stopped, a heart attack occurs. Without oxygen, the heart tissue dies, which causes death in extreme cases. Symptoms of a heart attack include a squeezing, painful sensation in the chest, pain that radiates down the arms, across the shoulders, or into the back. For women, nausea, sweating and lightheadedness are common symptoms, according to the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center at PennState University.
Stroke
Similar to a heart attack, a stroke occurs when the blood flow to the brain is blocked, a condition known as an ischemic stroke. Increased levels of cholesterol and triglycerides deposit plaque within the arteries of the body. Pieces of plaque, or a blood clot associated with arterial inflammation can break-off, travel to the brain and block blood and oxygen supply. Without oxygen, brain tissue dies, potentially causing death or the cessation of brain function in the affected areas, according to MedlinePlus.
