There are several things that can contribute to high cholesterol. But what makes it high? Learn more below.
We know too much cholesterol is bad for you, but what is it exactly? It’s a type of lipid, waxy, fat-like substance that produces in your liver. It’s essential for the formation of cell membranes, some hormones, and vitamin D. Because cholesterol doesn’t dissolve in water, it needs help traveling through your bloodstream.
To help with that, lipoproteins carry cholesterol and triglycerides through your bloodstream. One of these lipoproteins is LDL, too much of it leads to high levels. High cholesterol doesn’t tend to show symptoms and can also result in you having a heart attack or stroke. Therefore, it’s important to check your levels regularly.
Causes of High Levels
Unhealthy Diet
Eating foods high in cholesterol, saturated fats, and trans fats too often increase your risk of high levels. Being physically inactive and smoking also contribute to high cholesterol.
Genetics
Genetics also plays a role in your developing high cholesterol. There are certain genes that instruct your body about processing cholesterol and fats. If your parents have high levels, your risk of developing it is higher.
Familial Hypercholesterolemia
The American Heart Association says that some people inherit a genetic disorder from their parents or grandparents called familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). This rare disorder prevents your body from removing LDL cholesterol.
The condition is dangerous because it can cause premature atherosclerotic heart disease. Adults with this condition tend to have total cholesterol levels above 300 mg/dL and LDL levels above 200 mg/dL.
Other Risk Factors
Health conditions such as diabetes and hypothyroidism can increase your risk of developing high cholesterol. Being overweight or obese, eating unhealthy foods, not exercising regularly, smoking, and kidney disease can all affect your health.
How To Lower Your Cholesterol
To start your journey to healthier cholesterol, ask your doctor for a lipid panel blood test. It assesses your levels across the board, including your triglycerides.
Meanwhile, if you have high cholesterol, the first thing your doctor may recommend is to make some lifestyle changes. This may include altering your diet, exercising more often, or quitting smoking.
Moreover, your doctor may also recommend certain medications or treatments to help lower your cholesterol, such as statins or sterols. If you’re at high risk of heart disease, your doctor may also recommend more frequent checkups.
When left untreated, high levels can cause serious health problems and even death. That’s why it’s important to detect it early and take the necessary steps to lower it.
A well-balanced diet and an active lifestyle can help manage healthy cholesterol levels. If you’re looking to promote your health, L-arginine Plus may be able to help.
It specifically helps by dilating your blood vessels to increase blood flow, which can help with arterial blockage. Try L-arginine Plus if you want support for healthy cholesterol, blood pressure, circulation, and more.