How High Cholesterol Affects Your Heart: Symptoms, Risks, and Solutions

High Cholesterol Impacts Heart, Cholesterol is one of the fatty substances found in your blood. Your body indeed needs some cholesterol, but excess levels pose a danger to your health. Excessive levels of cholesterol can contribute to heart disease, one of the most fatal causes of death throughout the entire world. Below is a blog to elaborate on how high cholesterol impacts your heart, symptoms, risks, and potential remedies.

What Is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol circulates within your blood as two types of cholesterol. It includes the bad cholesterol, identified as low-density Lipoprotein, which gathers itself into your inner lining on the walls of your arteries to make them reduce and make the blood harder to go through. High-density lipoprotein, termed good cholesterol, ensures it is much easier to break down LDL. World Health Organization

Symptoms of High Cholesterol

High cholesterol is usually asymptomatic. It is often referred to as a “silent” condition. You may not know you have it until it leads to severe heart problems like a heart attack or stroke. Thus, regular checkups are essential to monitor cholesterol levels.

However, some individuals may experience chest pain or shortness of breath. These symptoms usually occur when a blockage in the arteries reduces blood flow to the heart.

How does high cholesterol affect your heart?

High cholesterol damages your heart in multiple ways. It causes aggregation of plaque along your arteries known as atherosclerosis. Due to time factors, the aggregate plaque hardens and compaction further reduces your blood flow into your heart due to the poor delivery of your necessary oxygen and other nutrients.

Clots of blood may be formed as the plaque bursts. The clots may block the artery fully and result in a heart attack. Also, high cholesterol increases the possibility of developing high blood pressure. This would once again increase the burden on your heart.

Risks of High Cholesterol

High cholesterol is a significant risk factor for serious heart conditions. It leads to coronary artery disease, in which the arteries that supply blood to the heart become blocked. If left untreated, it can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure.

People with high cholesterol normally develop plaque deposits that cause a restriction of blood flow to important organs. Additionally, high cholesterol may lead to the development of peripheral artery disease, where the arteries in your legs become narrowed. This might lead to a painful condition when walking or moving.

High cholesterol makes blood vessels less elastic. As a consequence, it leads to high blood pressure, putting more pressure on the heart to pump blood. This load, over time, can weaken the heart muscle.

Solutions for High Cholesterol

High cholesterol is treated by a combination of lifestyle and medical treatment. The following are ways to reduce cholesterol levels and keep your heart healthy:

Dietary Care

The consumption of smaller amounts of saturated fats and fibre-rich diets would help in bringing down cholesterol. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins would be your dietary intake. A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids – fish – ensures the healthiness of your heart.

Exercise Frequently

Physical activity may also increase HDL cholesterol and reduce LDL levels. Engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week. This can help improve overall heart health and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Quit Smoking and Limit Alcohol

Smoking destroys blood vessels, and hence chances of developing heart disease. Smoking cessation enhances heart health as the cholesterol level will also come down. Besides these, alcohol is consumed responsibly so that it might maintain the balance of cholesterol levels in the body.

Take Medication 

Lifestyle modifications may not always be helpful. Cholesterol-reducing drugs called statins may also reduce high cholesterol levels. The course of treatment shall be prescribed by your doctor only.

Regular Tests

Only by regular monitoring of cholesterol can one prevent heart disease. Many heart specialists, such as the best heart hospital in Vadodara, offer routine cholesterol screening and treatment options.

When to See a Doctor?

If you are having symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness, it is a must to seek medical attention right away. If you are experiencing symptoms associated with heart problems, a heart specialist hospital in Vadodara can provide immediate care for you. 

Besides, if you have a family history of heart disease or cholesterol level, then consult your doctor and talk about routine tests for the cholesterol level. The best cardiology doctor in Vadodara can give specific advice depending on your health condition.

24×7 Emergency ICU Services

A 24×7 emergency ICU services should be accessed in case of a heart emergency. It saves lives and prevents serious damage to the heart by acting quickly. Many hospitals in Vadodara provide round-the-clock services to handle urgent heart conditions.

Conclusion

High cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for heart disease. However, with the right lifestyle choices, regular check-ups, and using the right medications, you can take care of your cholesterol and prevent heart disease. However, if you feel that you may have high cholesterol or there is a history of heart disease in your family, then consult the best cardiologist in Vadodara for early detection and treatment. The sooner you are diagnosed and begin the treatment, the healthier your heart will be in the long run.
World Health Organization – Cardiovascular Health.