High Cholesterol

Understanding the Meaning of High Cholesterol

It can be very difficult to figure out whether you have high cholesterol or not. Cholesterol is one the types of fats present in the body. Together with triglycerides, it helps to produce hormones, energy and it is also important for cell structure. However, if there is extra cholesterol in the body, it can lead to the narrowing and hardening of the arteries and this can cause a number of cardiovascular problems.

In order to understand what cholesterol is, it is easy to split it into two kinds: the good and the bad. The good cholesterol is called high density lipoprotein while the bad cholesterol one is called low density lipoprotein. While HDL protects the body from atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), LDL contributes to cardiovascular diseases. While checking your cholesterol level, remember that if this level in the blood is below 5mmol/l, you are at an ideal level. However, if it is higher than 6.5mmol/l, it is very high and anything above 7.8mmol/l is extremely high and dangerous.

Symptoms of High Cholesterol

Unlike a headache or a fever, the symptoms for this problem are not as noticeable. However, there are a few signs that you should look out for during your daily routine. If you have one or more of these symptoms, there is a possibility that your arteries are hardening and this can trigger a cardiovascular problem.

•    A blood clot in the brain can block an artery and cause it to rupture, leading to bleeding in the brain which will result in a stroke.
•    If there is a clot in the arteries that supply blood to the lower limbs, it can starve the leg from blood supply and this could even result in necessary amputation of the leg.
•    If the carotid arteries start to narrow, it could result in many small clots getting sent to the brain and this could lead to multiple mini-strokes and loss of the use of a limb.
•    Narrowing of the coronary arteries can cause blood clots which lead to heart attacks and other kinds of heart disease.

Preventing Cholesterol Problems

There are certain measures that you can take to maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Three important areas to focus on are eating, drinking and smoking. A good and healthy diet is important to keep your weight in check. You should especially concentrate on the fat in the stomach region because excess fat can lead to an increase in cholesterol levels. Alcohol consumption and smoking should be reduced and ideally eliminated from your lifestyle. Alcohol can lead to high blood pressure and damage the liver while smoking affects the lungs and increases the chances of a heart attack.

At Trinity Medical Group, we take care of all your primary healthcare and general health and wellness needs. Our experienced team will give you and your family the best possible care using all the latest techniques and procedures. Call Trinity Medical Group to schedule your appointment today.