Having high cholesterol can lead to a variety of conditions. The following are 5 diseases linked to high cholesterol.
There are two main types of cholesterol: LDL and HDL. LDL cholesterol is the “bad” kind because it clogs arteries, while HDL is good because it removes excess cholesterol.
Having high levels of LDL cholesterol and low levels of HDL cholesterol is bad for your health. It can lead to a variety of conditions that can ultimately be fatal if not treated.
The following are 5 diseases linked to high cholesterol – and how to improve your cholesterol at home.
1. Coronary Heart Disease
If your cholesterol is too high, it can build up in your artery walls and lead to coronary heart disease. This buildup is called plaque and causes arteries to harden over time, a condition known as atherosclerosis.
As a result, the arteries become narrow and slow circulation to the heart muscle. In turn, this reduction in blood flow can lead to chest pain (angina) or a heart attack under the worst circumstances.
2. Stroke
Atherosclerosis doesn’t just affect the heart muscles, but also the arteries leading to the brain. When there is a complete blockage of blood vessels to the brain, it can result in a stroke.
3. Peripheral Vascular Disease
Another disease cholesterol is linked to is peripheral vascular disease, which involves blood vessels outside the brain and heart. The disease consists of fatty deposits building up in artery walls, affecting blood flow.
Moreover, peripheral vascular disease affects mainly the arteries leading to the legs and feet.
4. Diabetes
People with diabetes can experience an imbalance regarding their LDL and HDL cholesterol levels. Diabetes tends to make LDL particles stick to arteries, which easily damages blood vessel walls.
Furthermore, glucose attaches to lipoproteins, which results in LDL remaining in the bloodstream and leading to the formation of plaque. Those with diabetes (especially type 2) can have high triglyceride and low HDL, which boosts the risk of heart disease.
5. High Blood Pressure
There is also a link between high cholesterol and high blood pressure (or hypertension). As arteries get hardened and narrow from plaque and calcium, the heart has a harder time pumping blood.
This results in rising blood pressure levels (hypertension), which is a significant factor in heart disease.
Improving Cholesterol
There are a couple of things you can do to improve your cholesterol levels. For example, you can start exercising regularly, which reduces LDL cholesterol and increases HDL cholesterol.
You can also follow heart-healthy eating plans like the TLC diet and the DASH diet. Lastly, you can try circulation and heart health supplements like L-arginine Plus.
It works by increasing nitric oxide production, which results in better circulation and overall heart health. Try L-arginine Plus along with exercise and a healthy diet if you want to promote healthy cholesterol levels.