Description

In normal conditions cholesterol is a fat (lipid) produced by the liver and is essential for body functions. Cholesterol is naturally present in cell walls or membranes everywhere in the body, including brain, nerve, muscle, skin, liver, intestines, and heart. Under normal circumstances cholesterol also serves as the builder and guardian of the cell membrane, filtering out the incoming molecules and not into the cell, involved in the production of sex hormones, helps the production of bile.

But if somebody has too much cholesterol in the bloodstream, the excess can be stored in the arteries, including coronary artery heart, the arteries to the brain, and arteries that supplies blood to the legs. Therefore, high cholesterol is not an illness, but the potential of developing the disease.

Clogged arteries in the legs cause claudication (pain while walking) due to peripheral arterial disease. Carotid artery blockage can cause stroke, and blockage of coronary arteries causes angina (chest pain) and heart attacks.

Cholesterol levels in the body can be measured by blood tests. If the blood test results showed the following results:

Total Cholesterol

<200 mg/dl—– – ideal

200-239 mg/dl— high-risk threshold

240 <————– high risk

Causes of high cholesterol among others due to heredity, weight, physical activity, age and sex, alcohol, smoking, and mental distress.

Signs and Symptoms

High cholesterol does not cause specific symptoms. Symptoms occur when a high cholesterol to trigger diseases such as heart disease, stroke, blood vessel blockage.

Prevention

Some ways to prevent high cholesterol is to consult a doctor regularly, eat fruits and vegetables that are low in cholesterol, enough sleep, avoiding alcohol and cigarettes. In short, get used to living a healthy life.