The causes and symptoms of high cholesterol

High cholesterol is dangerous to health. Here are the causes that can lead to its rise and the symptoms with which it can be associated. Having high cholesterol is a health risk. In fact, even though it is an essential substance for the body to function (it is one of the materials from which cells are built and is used to produce some hormones and vitamin D) when its blood concentrations are too high, cholesterol can be deposited in the wall of the arteries, increasing the risk of serious events such as heart attack and stroke.

In reality, however, not all cholesterol in the blood is of the same type, and not all of it is dangerous to health. The best-known distinction is between "good" and "bad" cholesterol, and it is easy to see that the one to be particularly watched is the latter, also known as LDL (from Low Density Lipoproteins). But why can its levels rise to the point of endangering cardiovascular health?

The causes of high cholesterol

In some cases having high cholesterol is a matter of genes. In fact, there is a form of familial hypercholesterolemia due to a defect on chromosome 19 that leads to changes in the receptor for LDL and reduces the body's ability to eliminate precisely the "bad" cholesterol. In many other cases, however, the causes of high cholesterol must be sought in lifestyle. In particular: 

- A diet high in saturated fats, found in many foods of animal origin-meats, butter, dairy products and eggs-and their derivatives 

- The consumption of trans fats, found in some fried foods, some margarines and products containing them 

- smoking are all factors that can increase the level of "bad" cholesterol. 

Also coming into play are some risk factors such as advanced age, excess weight and heredity.

High cholesterol: the symptoms

Unfortunately, in many cases high cholesterol is asymptomatic, and the only way to know that you are dealing with this problem is to have blood tests. If, however, hypercholesterolemia runs in families, it is possible that some symptoms may also appear. In particular, to the increase in total cholesterol and LDL revealed by blood tests may be added: 

- The presence of fatty deposits in the skin (the xanthomas), particularly at the hands, knees, ankles, and in the eye, around the cornea; 

- The presence of cholesterol deposits on the eyelids (the xanthelasmas). In addition, familial hypercholesterolemia can lead to the appearance of angina or other symptoms of coronary artery disease at an early age and cramps in one or both calves while walking. 

Finally, familial hypercholesterolemia may be associated with sores on the toes that struggle to heal.

A potential enemy to be kept at bay

For all these reasons, cholesterol is a potential enemy to be kept under control. From this point of view, lifestyle can be a powerful ally: an adequate diet in which fruits and vegetables and sources of polyunsaturated fats (such as Omega-3 from fish and monounsaturated fats from olive oil) find their proper place, combined with equally adequate physical activity and abstention from bad habits such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, can help maintain both total, "bad" and "good" cholesterol and triglycerides at levels considered healthy.

Sources: American Heart Association. Causes of high cholesterol. https://goo.gl/fUyXyU, 20/04/18 Epicenter. Cholesterol and hypercholesterolemia. https://goo.gl/uhWPGi, 20/04/18 MedlinePlus. Cholesterol. https://goo.gl/PmjWSJ, 04/20/18 MedlinePlus. Familial hypercholesterolemia. https://goo.gl/eHm7Vf, 20/04/18 Image: Pixabay