How to Recognize High Cholesterol Before It Becomes a Health Risk

Cholesterol is a fatty substance essential for the human body, playing a key role in building cell membranes and producing vital hormones.

However, elevated cholesterol levels in the blood can pose serious health risks, leading to narrowed arteries and increasing the likelihood of heart disease, strokes, and other severe complications.

Often, this increase occurs silently, without obvious symptoms initially, making it crucial to recognize early signs and causes of elevated cholesterol to maintain overall health.

* 5 Warning Signs of High Cholesterol

1 _ Fat Deposits Around the Eyes

Appearance of bumps or spots on the skin known as "xanthomas," often found around the eyes, elbows, or knees, as well as a light-colored ring around the iris (arcus senilis), may indicate cholesterol accumulation in the body.

2 _ Chest Pain or Angina

The buildup of fatty plaques in the arteries reduces blood flow to the heart, causing sensations of pressure, tightness, or burning during exertion or stress, which can lead to a heart attack if ignored.

3 _ Persistent Leg Pain

Blockage of the arteries supplying the legs can result in feelings of heaviness, burning, or fatigue while walking or exercising, known as peripheral artery disease (PAD).

4 _ Dupuytren's Contracture in the Hand

Contraction of the tendons in the ring and pinky fingers toward the palm, limiting movement, may be a sign of high cholesterol or hereditary lipid disorders.

5 _ Ongoing Fatigue and Shortness of Breath

Narrowed arteries reduce oxygen supply to muscles and organs, causing unusual fatigue and shortness of breath even with light exertion.

* Causes of High Cholesterol

After identifying warning signs, it is important to understand the causes of elevated cholesterol to avoid and mitigate them.

1 _ Poor Diet

Consuming foods high in saturated and trans fats, such as fatty meats, full-fat dairy products, fried foods, and processed sweets, raises LDL (bad cholesterol) levels in the blood.

2 _ Lack of Exercise

Physical activity increases HDL (good cholesterol) levels, which help clear harmful cholesterol from the blood. Inactivity allows cholesterol to accumulate in the arteries.

3 _ Genetic Factors

High cholesterol levels can be due to hereditary genes, such as familial hypercholesterolemia, where the body struggles to eliminate harmful cholesterol from birth.

4 _ Other Health Issues

Conditions such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, chronic liver and kidney diseases, and autoimmune disorders affect fat and cholesterol metabolism in the body.

5 _ Smoking

Smoking lowers good cholesterol levels and raises bad cholesterol levels, increasing the buildup of fatty plaques in the arteries.

* Conclusion

High cholesterol can develop silently, but its effects on the heart and blood vessels can be severe if not detected early. Recognizing warning signs and committing to a healthy lifestyle, such as a balanced diet, regular exercise, quitting smoking, and routine medical check-ups, is crucial to preventing complications.

Taking these measures strengthens heart and vascular health and protects the body from potential future risks.