You take a blood test and notice that your LDL cholesterol levels in the blood are high. The doctor then recommends a cholesterol-lowering treatment, which may involve taking a medication. Soon enough, you begin to ask: Is cholesterol dangerous, and what damage can it do to my body?
What is Cholesterol Anyway?
Cholesterol is one of the components of fats in our blood. Cholesterol is a basic substance from which our bodies make various substances, such as hormones and cell walls. Normal levels of cholesterol in the bloodstream are necessary for the proper functioning of the body.
Is cholesterol dangerous?
In short, the answer is yes. Moderate or high levels of cholesterol are a risk factor for various diseases and premature death.
Cholesterol Dangers
Various research findings indicate that high cholesterol levels are associated with an increased risk of premature death. In addition, high cholesterol levels are dangerous because they also cause an increased risk of other diseases and symptoms. Thus, it was found that cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease, heart attack, as well as the blockage of arteries, impaired blood flow, increases the risk of stroke, and more.
While normal LDL cholesterol levels below 70-100 milligrams per deciliter are normal, high levels of cholesterol above 100 mg/dl are not considered optimal and may be harmful to our bodies and increasing the risk of death and various diseases. Total cholesterol levels below 200 milligrams per deciliter are considered normal. On the other hand, cholesterol levels above 200 mg/dl are no longer considered to be at a healthy level. A cholesterol level above 240 mg/dl is considered to be a high level in people.
In light of the numbers, is high cholesterol dangerous? The short answer is yes, and it is indeed dangerous at borderline or high levels. It is important to remember that you can use cholesterol-lowering medication to counter these effects. Any professional treatment plan should be done after consulting a doctor. That being said, it’s important to remember that a healthy lifestyle greatly reduces cholesterol levels in the bloodstream and reduces the dangers high cholesterol levels bring.
Your Lifestyle and Cholesterol Maintenance
A diet high in carbohydrates, containing foods high in saturated trans fat, contributes to high cholesterol levels. If you also don’t participate in physical activity and don’t watch your diet, then don’t be shocked if there isn’t an improvement in your cholesterol levels. Also, there is a hereditary familial tendency to have a cholesterol problem.
Various diseases, such as kidney disease and hypothyroidism, may contribute to cholesterol problems. There are also situations where certain medications aggravate cholesterol levels, and it is best to consult with your doctor to keep these problems in check.
