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Description of Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a vital element to the body, but it also can be one of its most silent and deadly enemies. Millions of people have dealt with the effects of high cholesterol, and even more don't know they have a time bomb ticking inside them, ready to go off at any time.

  1. What is Cholesterol?

    • By definition, cholesterol is simply a fat used by the body to help build cells and hormones. It is one of several types of insoluble compounds called lipids. There are two main types of cholesterol: low density lipoproteins (LDL), commonly called bad cholesterol, which can build up in your arteries; high density lipoproteins (HDL), commonly called good cholesterol, which clears blockages and strengthens the heart.

    Where Do We Get Cholesterol?

    • Our body gets the cholesterol it needs from the foods we eat. It also is created in the body. Plant-based foods have no cholesterol. Foods such as red meat can have very high levels of fat and cholesterol.

    Effects of High Cholesterol

    • When the body has too much bad cholesterol, deposits can begin to build up in the arteries. In much the same way debris can block a sewer pipe, the plaque can slow the flow of blood through the arteries, requiring the heart to work harder for its nutrients. Eventually, the blockage can cause a heart attack or stroke. If a large amount of the cholesterol build-up should break off, it can cause a massive heart attack or stroke and almost immediate death.

    Symptoms of High Cholesterol

    • People with substantial artery blockages may not even realize it until they have a heart attack. Cholesterol is a silent killer, causing few, if any, symptoms. Some people may notice fatigue because of the reduction of blood flow or a rapid heartbeat as the heart works to pump the blood through the body.

    Prevention

    • There are medications available that can reduce the levels of cholesterol in the blood, but they will not help with any cholesterol build-up already in place. Statins and resins inhibit the production of cholesterol in the body. Fibrates increase the levels of good cholesterol; niacin can decrease bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol. A diet low in fat along with exercise has been proved to lower cholesterol levels. The most drastic solution is surgery to remove blockages if you are in danger of immediate heart attack.

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