Cholesterol is
not necessarily harmful for humans since their body requires it for making
vitamin D, hormones and digestive fluids. However having too much LDL (lowdensity lipoprotein or bad cholesterol) in the body can trigger problems of the
heart and increase the risk for heart attack and stroke.
In this article
we are going to discuss the kinds of health issues that might occur due to a
high level of cholesterol in the body.
Risk
of Atherosclerosis
When there is an
excess of LDL in the human body and it tends to build up in the arteries making
them clogged and inflexible. The stiffness of the arteries is a condition
called atherosclerosis. Blood doesn't pass easily through the hardened arteries
which is why heart has to overwork for pushing the blood through the stiff
arteries. Once arteries start to clog up, there is increased chance of
experienced various heart related problems.
Risk
of Angina and Peripheral Arterial Disease
When the plaque
starts to deposit on the coronary arteries, it disrupts the flow of blood to
the heart. This leads to intense chest pain called angina. Patients of angina
are at a much greater risk for heart attack. When the plaque in the coronary
artery clots up or breaks off it could block the flow of blood resulting in a
heart attack. Plaque build-up can also block the blood flow to your limbs and
stomach- a disease called PAD or peripheral arterial disease.
Risk
of Stroke
Decreases flow of
oxygen rich blood to the brain due to a ruptured or clogged artery greatly
increases the chances of a stroke. Plaque deposition in the blood vessels can
eventually result in a stroke because of disrupted blood flow to the brain.
Problems
in the Digestive System
Cholesterol is
essential for the production of bile and this forms an essential part of our
digestive system. However, an excess in the bile converts into crystals and
eventually into stones in the gall bladder, creating other equally dangerous
side effects.
Stomach
Ache
Extremely highcholesterol level can result in fat deposits on the liver, spleen, ligaments
and skin. When the spleen or liver enlarges because of fat deposits, it causes
severe stomach ache by putting pressure on the other organs of the abdominal
cavity.
The higher the
cholesterol levels in your body, the greater the chances of developing diseases
of the heart and blood vessels. High cholesterol doesn't come with any explicit
symptoms which is why most of the patients get diagnosed when it's too late.
Make sure to get your levels checked on your next visit to the physician.
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