High cholesterol is a serious health issue in America. More than 100 million adults in the United States have high cholesterol, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and 35 million of these Americans have enough cholesterol flowing through their arteries to put them at significant risk for developing heart disease. Reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease by decreasing the amount of cholesterol in your arteries.
Function
Some cholesterol in the arteries is normal and healthy. Cholesterol is present in every cell membrane in the body, necessary for cell structure, creation of bile acids and some hormones, as well as for metabolizing vitamins A, D, E and K. Cholesterol is created in the liver or consumed in food, and is transported via the bloodstream to the cells. Excess cholesterol can accumulate in arteries.
Features
Cholesterol and other fatty substances build up in the bloodstream and accumulate inside arterial walls in a process called atherosclerosis. This accumulation can restrict blood flow to vital organs. It can also break off, causing a blood clot, which may potentially block blood flow altogether.
Significance
If a blockage due to atherosclerosis occurs near the heart or brain, a heart attack or stroke can result. Mild atherosclerosis has no symptoms, but severe blockage of blood to muscles of the heart can cause chest pain. Blockages near the brain can cause numbness or weakness in the arms or legs, slurred speech or drooping facial muscles. This condition may progress to a stroke.
Diagnosis
Your doctor can diagnose cholesterol in the arteries. A blood test will show high levels of serum cholesterol, or cholesterol in your blood. She may find signs of damage to the arteries, such as a weak or absent pulse near the affected blood vessel. Your physician may order special tests, such asa Doppler or ultrasound to help her determine the location and severity of any blockage. She may perform an angiogram by injecting dye into your bloodstream that makes blockages visible on an x-ray.
Levels
Lower blood cholesterol levels present the least danger for heart disease. A total cholesterol level below 200 mg/dL is best. Every 1 percent drop in your serum cholesterol reduces your risk for heart disease by 2 percent, according to ClevelandClinic.org.
Causes
A diet high in saturated fat and dietary cholesterol is the main reason for high blood cholesterol. Other factors include heredity, activity level and lifestyle choices, such as cigarette smoking and drinking alcohol.
Treatment
A patient with cholesterol in his arteries should immediately start a diet low in fat and cholesterol. He should not eat fatty meats, reduce his egg intake and choose low fat dairy options such as skim milk and using margarine rather than butter. He needs to exercise more and avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. His physician may prescribe medications such as niacin or statins to reduce the amount of cholesterol in his arteries.
