Hidden signs of excessive ldl cholesterol specialists say to look out for
High cholesterol usually has no symptoms, but in some cases visible signs could signal dangerously high levels — as experts explain what you need to do to bring your cholesterol levels down
Cholesterol often sparks fear and worry in many people — but its concept is largely misunderstood. There are two distinct types of cholesterol, which are simply known as “good” cholesterol and “bad” cholesterol.
You can likely guess that it’s the “bad” cholesterol you want to limit in your system. This is what triggers the issues and heightens your risk of certain severe, potentially fatal diseases including heart disease and strokes.
And while your “bad” cholesterol levels can be high without you being aware of it, there are some signs in your body that might need further exploration to determine if high cholesterol might be the culprit.
But first, let’s gain a clear understanding of what cholesterol is and why it’s necessary.
Your body requires cholesterol to carry out numerous crucial functions that you simply couldn’t survive without.
It produces hormones, constructs cells, is essential for digestion and even the synthesis of vitamin D from sunlight.
In fact, every single one of your cells needs it to survive and perform the tasks that keep you alive.
When looking at a picture of cholesterol, one can see it as a type of fat, a waxy, yellowish substance, according to Surrey Live.
And, although it’s frequently associated with foods like red meat, milk and eggs, the vast majority of cholesterol is actually produced by your own body.
Cholesterol is transported throughout the body by two types of lipoproteins: low-density lipoprotein (LDL), often referred to as “bad” cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good” cholesterol.
If there’s an excess of LDL cholesterol in your system, it can accumulate in the walls of your blood vessels; this buildup can trigger a heart attack or stroke.
HDL cholesterol, on the other hand, removes the “bad” cholesterol from your arteries, transporting it back to the liver and thus reducing your risk of a heart attack and stroke.
However, high cholesterol typically doesn’t cause symptoms and can only be definitively diagnosed with a blood test. Despite this, research has found that cholesterol deposits can lead to visible changes in the body.
The British Heart Foundation says that high cholesterol can lead to high blood pressure and a condition known as peripheral arterial disease (PAD).
The condition causes the blood vessels in the legs and feet to become hardened, reducing the blood flow, which in turn can lead to circulation problems, made worse by high cholesterol due to the build-up of fatty deposits.
Even if you discover that your LDL cholesterol levels are dangerously elevated, everything is still okay.
Not only are medications readily available, but you can also lower your levels of harmful cholesterol through healthy eating and increased physical activity.
Dr Sarah Berry, chief scientist at science and nutrition firm Zoe and an academic leader in cardio-metabolic health at King’s College London, says “the right diet [can] improve your cholesterol as much as medication”.
There’s one particular food that some nutritionists highlight as the primary culprit to cut back on if you want to slash your risk of developing high “bad” cholesterol levels.
“Adding foods that lower LDL, the harmful cholesterol-carrying particle that contributes to artery-clogging atherosclerosis, is the best way to achieve a low cholesterol diet,” Harvard Health advised. They suggest beginning with a straightforward move like having a bowl of porridge for breakfast.
Heart UK, a cholesterol charity, also recommends cutting down on saturated fat consumption and swapping it with unsaturated fats to help bring down cholesterol levels. Saturated fat is the type of fat present in butter, lard, ghee, fatty meats and cheese.
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