Cholesterol level, high cholesterol effects on body- healthunbox

Cholesterol level, high cholesterol effects on body because when you talk about heart health then cholesterol is the most popular term. Cholesterol is a type of fat/lipid or waxy substance present in the blood. Our body needs cholesterol to function properly. Cholesterol also needs to make hormones, vitamin D, and digestive fluids.

Liver of our body makes most of the cholesterol in the body. But having too much high cholesterol can puts you at risk for having a heart attack or stroke.

Types of Cholesterol and high cholesterol effects on body

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or Bad Cholesterol

LDL is unhealthy kind of cholesterol. This type of cholesterol can build up in the arteries and form fatty, waxy deposits called plaques. It leads to obstruction in blood flow in the arteries.

The extra cholesterol that is not used by the body so it naturally increases your risk of heart disease.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) or Good Cholesterol

It is a healthy kind of cholesterol. It transports excess cholesterol out of the arteries to the liver, which removes it from the body.

When the levels of LDL cholesterol are too high and levels of HDL cholesterol are too low, then fatty deposits build up in the blood vessels. These deposits also known as plaques. This build up will make it difficult for enough blood to flow through the arteries.

Cholesterol chart for adults for 20 plus

Total cholesterol HDL LDL

Good Less than 200 40 or higher Less than 100

High 240 or higher n/a 160 or higher

Low n/a less than 40 n/a

Cholesterol chart for children age between 17 to 21yrs

Total cholesterol HDL LDL

Good 170 or less 45 or higher 110 or less

High 200 or higher n/a greater than 130

Low n/a less than 40 n/a

High cholesterol level effects on body

Cholesterol level effects on Cardiovascular and circulatory systems

Hardening of the arteries is known as atherosclerosis. It happen due to build-up of LDL cholesterol in the arteries, which clog them and make it less flexible. Because of that blood doesn’t flow as well through stiff arteries, so heart has to work harder to push blood through them.

Chest pain or angina due to high cholesterol effects on body

It is another heart problem due to bad cholesterol. Plaque build-up in coronary arteries can disrupt the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. This may cause chest pain called angina.

Stroke, high cholesterol effects on body

It occurs when blood supply get block to the brain. When a piece of plaque can eventually break off and form a clot, which can block blood flow to heart, leads to a heart attack, or to brain, leads to a stroke.

Symptoms of stroke include:

Sudden loss of balance and coordination

Sudden dizziness

Facial asymmetry (drooping eyelid and mouth on just one side)

Inability to move, particularly affecting just one side of the body

Slurring of words

Numbness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body

Blurred vision, blackened vision, or double vision

Sudden severe headache

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD), when plaque block the flow of blood to arteries that supply blood to arms, stomach, legs, and feet. This is called peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

Symptoms of PAD include:

Cramping

Fatigue

Pain in the legs during activity or exercise, called intermittent claudication

Discomfort in the legs and feet

Cholesterol level effects on Endocrine system

Endocrine system of the body means hormone producing system. It produces many hormones. Some hormones are made up of cholesterol like estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol.

Hormones can also have an effect on the body’s cholesterol levels. Postmenopausal women have more risk of heart diseases. Because estrogen level as well as HDL level decreases after menopause.

Thyroid disorders

Low production of thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism) leads to an increase in total and LDL cholesterol. It will increases the risk of heart problems. Excess thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) has the opposite effect.

Cholesterol level effects on Nervous system

Cholesterol is an essential component of the human brain. This fat is essential for the development and protection of nerve cells, which enable the brain to communicate with the rest of the body.

Excess cholesterol can lead to strokes that can damage parts of the brain, leading to loss of memory, movement, and other functions. High blood cholesterol can leads to the loss of memory and mental function. Beta-amyloid plaques is not good for the people with Alzheimer’s disease. Because this protein deposits can damage the brain. High blood cholesterol can increase the formation of these protein.