With approximately 39% of adults worldwide and about 60% of adults in the UK dealing with elevated cholesterol, high cholesterol can most certainly be considered to be a global issue.
However, you may be surprised to learn that Austria and Germany share the highest mean total cholesterol levels globally, with 56.6% of men and 60.5% of women aged 18 to 79 having elevated serum total cholesterol!
But why does this matter? It matters because high cholesterol levels can significantly increase your risk of developing heart disease, stroke, and even high blood pressure.
Let’s talk about it.
What You Need To Know About Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance found in your blood and cells, and it is a key component of many bodily functions! Some of these include your cell structure. Cholesterol helps maintain your cell structure’s integrity and flexibility. It is also essential for the production of vital hormones, such as oestrogen, testosterone, and cortisol.
Additionally, cholesterol plays an important part in producing bile acids (necessary for breaking down fats in the digestive system) and in synthesising vitamin D (which supports bone health and immune function).
There are also two types of cholesterol, namely good cholesterol and bad cholesterol. Bad cholesterol (also known as low-density lipoprotein or LDL) can build up in your arteries and form plaque. This build up increases your risk of heart disease and stroke.
On the other hand, good cholesterol (known as high-density lipoprotein or HDL) absorbs cholesterol from your blood and transports it to your liver, where it is removed from your body. HDL can also help lower your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Of course, your body naturally produces all the cholesterol it needs. However, you can obtain additional cholesterol from certain foods you eat, which could lead to excess. Just remember, cholesterol is not inherently harmful but too much cholesterol can become problematic.
The Main Causes Of High Cholesterol
High cholesterol (also known as hyperlipidemia) is primarily caused by eating unhealthy foods. This includes regularly consuming fatty foods that are high in saturated fats, such as red meat, full-fat dairy, chocolate, and baked goods. All of these foods can raise your LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels.
Other significant contributors include a lack of exercise, being overweight, smoking (which lowers HDL or "good" cholesterol and raises LDL cholesterol), and excessive alcohol consumption.
However, high cholesterol is not always present due to lifestyle choices. It can also be hereditary. Inherited conditions, such as familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) can cause significantly elevated cholesterol levels. Additionally, conditions such as kidney disease, liver disease, hypothyroidism, and diabetes can also increase your risk of high cholesterol. This means that even with a healthy lifestyle, you may still have a predisposition to developing high cholesterol.
Therefore, regular cholesterol monitoring is crucial for staying on top of your health and overall well-being, especially if you have a family history of cholesterol or heart disease.
Health Risks Linked To High Cholesterol
High cholesterol is often asymptomatic, but it can significantly increase the risk of serious health conditions. Since too much cholesterol in your blood can lead to a buildup of plaque in your arteries, which can narrow or block them. This is known as atherosclerosis and can cause heart attacks, and strokes.
Tips To Help Lower Your Cholesterol Levels
You can manage your cholesterol levels by eating a healthy diet, staying active, and getting regular cholesterol screenings.
Try to increase your HDL levels by eating foods that contain healthy fats, such as avocado, nuts, seeds, olives, and fish, or by cooking with oils made from plants or seeds.
The goal is to limit foods that are high in saturated and trans fats, such as certain meats (red meat, fatty meat, organ meat, shellfish, and bacon), eggs, full-fat dairy products (cheese, ice cream, butter), chocolate, baked goods, and deep-fried foods.
You can also help lower your cholesterol levels by exercising regularly. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise five times a week. If you are overweight or obese, losing weight can help lower your cholesterol too. Please, if at all possible, try to quit smoking as well.
How To Check Your Cholesterol Levels
To measure your cholesterol levels, you can get a blood test. Your healthcare provider can give you advice on what your results mean for you, as your LDL target may be different if you have heart disease or other risk factors.
The Bottom Line
Managing your cholesterol is essential for maintaining overall health and preventing serious conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.
While high cholesterol can stem from various factors, it is very important to focus your attention on lowering your cholesterol effectively.
By making informed lifestyle choices and working with healthcare professionals, you can significantly reduce the risks associated with high cholesterol and improve your long-term well-being. Who can say no to that?
If you are interested in scheduling a cholesterol screening or learning more about good and bad cholesterol, please do not hesitate to reach out to us and book a consultation. We are always here to help.
