High cholesterol is a direct indicator of your risk of developing cardiovascular disease. According to the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP), heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women and men in the United States. In fact, every year "more than a million Americans have heart attacks, and about a half million people die from heart disease." Lowering your chance of developing heart disease means knowing your cholesterol levels.
Definition
Cholesterol is a lipid (fat) that serves many important functions in the body. It is necessary for healthy cell membranes and nerves. It is also essential for the synthesis of steroid hormones and the production of bile and vitamin D. Cholesterol is primarily produced in the liver and intestines, with smaller amounts made in cells throughout the body. Michael King, a professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at the Indiana University School of Medicine, states that the body adjusts the amount of cholesterol it synthesizes according to the amount of cholesterol that is consumed in the diet.
Lipoproteins
Cholesterol is not water-soluble, so before it can be transported through the body, it must be packaged as a droplet with a protein coating. The result is called a lipoprotein. The high-density lipoproteins (HDLs) are called "good cholesterol" because they take excess cholesterol out of the blood stream and back to the liver where it can be secreted in the bile. The low-density and very-low-density lipoproteins (LDLs and VLDLs) carry cholesterol and triglycerides through the blood vessels, where they accumulate on the walls of arteries and cause them to become hard and narrow. Your risk of developing heart disease goes up as the levels of cholesterol in your blood increase.
Warning Signs
Here's the problem: High blood cholesterol does not have any clear warning signs. The first symptoms are likely to be chest pains, a heart attack or stroke. Xanthomas, which are fatty deposits in the skin around the eyes and eyelids or in the creases of palms, soles, elbows or knees, can develop if the cholesterol levels are extremely high. They are also a symptom of damaged bile ducts in the liver and a rare genetic disorder called familial hypercholesterolemia.
Risk Factors
Some factors can be considered to be warning signs because they are known to increase your chances of having high cholesterol. Smoking cigarettes damages the walls of your blood vessels, creating a spot where cholesterol can easily accumulate. Lack of exercise, obesity and high blood pressure all increase your chances of high blood cholesterol. According to information provided by the Mayo Clinic, exercise helps increase your levels of the good HDL cholesterol while lowering your bad LDL cholesterol. Consuming a diet high in cholesterol, saturated fats and trans fats will raise your cholesterol levels. If you're diagnosed with diabetes, your risk increases because uncontrolled blood sugar increases the bad LDL cholesterol and also damages the lining of your arteries. If anyone in your family developed heart disease before the age of 55 and you have high cholesterol, you are at a greater risk of developing heart disease.
Treatment
The first line of treatment, as well as prevention, is to reduce the risk factors. This means maintaining a healthful weight, getting exercise and eating a balanced diet that is high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meats. Watch your blood pressure and, if you have diabetes, keep strict watch over your blood sugar. If lifestyle changes do not reduce your cholesterol levels, then your physician can prescribe many different cholesterol-lowering medications.
