Arrhythmia is the medical term used for an irregular pulse or heart rate. There are many types of arrhythmias and various causes of this condition. In some cases, an arrhythmia is a warning sign that your cholesterol levels are getting too high. If you are concerned about your cholesterol levels or you are experiencing an irregular pulse, it is important to speak with a health care provider to properly diagnose any underlying medical conditions.
Arrhythmia
Normally the heart maintains a regular rhythm to help meet the body's needs for blood and oxygen. When you are sleeping or at rest, the heart rate may naturally slow a bit, and when you are exerting yourself or under stress, the heart rate may naturally speed up to meet the additional demands. Electrical signals are continuously sent to the heart to tell it how fast and hard to beat, depending on what the body's needs are. The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute states that an arrhythmia can occur when your heart's rhythm is disrupted by a structural problem within the heart muscle or its valves or a malfunction in the electrical system that signals the heart as well as by medications, illness, and heart diseases such as high blood pressure or coronary artery disease. The heartbeat may become too fast, too slow or skip beats.
High Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a waxy substance that the body needs to survive, but the body makes all that is needed. If you eat a diet that is high in cholesterol, levels may build too high in the body and contribute to disease. However, not all types of cholesterol are bad. High density lipoproteins, or HDLs, are considered the good kind of cholesterol, as it is excreted from the body. Having a high HDL level is recommended to protect against heart disease. Low density lipoproteins, or LDLs, are the bad kind of cholesterol, because this type is stored in the body. When too much cholesterol is stored in the body, plaque can build up along the blood vessel walls making them hard and narrow, reports the American Heart Association. This can restrict blood flow to the heart and brain, as there is less space for the blood to flow through. If the brain is deprived, a stroke can occur and if the heart is deprived, a heart attack may occur.
Heart Damage
Having high cholesterol raises the risk of arrhythmias, heart attacks and strokes because when there is less space for the blood to flow through, the heart muscle must pump harder and faster to deliver enough blood. This places wear and tear on the heart and over time, your heart rate may become irregular, notes MayoClinic.com. This can occur with or without actual physical damage to the heart. The danger is that high cholesterol levels can exist without ever causing any symptoms, until a heart problem such as an arrhythmia occurs. The only way to know if your cholesterol levels are too high is to have a simple blood test through your physician.
Solution
Along with regular testing, high cholesterol and heart disease can be prevented and managed by eating a diet that is low in fat, cholesterol and salt. Maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking and getting regular exercise will all reduce the risk of complications. All of the above can help to lower LDL levels and raise HDL levels. If you have been diagnosed with an arrhythmia or are taking heart medication, talk with your physician before starting an exercise program, to determine a safe heart rate for your condition.
