Do you have high cholesterol? Let's talk about how to control it!

The word 'cholesterol' is familiar to many people in our country now, isn't it? We often hear things like 'I have high cholesterol', 'Don't eat oily food or you will develop cholesterol'. But what exactly is this cholesterol? Why is it dangerous? Many people don't know about it. The most dangerous thing is that our body does not show any symptoms even though our cholesterol is high. That is why it is very important for us to be fully aware of this silent enemy.

What exactly is cholesterol?

Simply put, cholesterol is a type of fat found in our blood. It's needed to build cells, protect nerves, and produce hormones. But the problem starts when we have too much of it.

There are two main types of cholesterol:

1. LDL (Low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol: This is what we call "bad" cholesterol . Like dirt getting stuck in a water pipe, this LDL cholesterol builds up on the walls of our blood vessels, narrowing and blocking them.

2. HDL (High-density lipoprotein) cholesterol: We call this the "good" cholesterol . It works by removing the bad LDL cholesterol from the blood vessels and cleaning it up. It's like a cleaner.

In addition to these two, there is another type of fat in our blood called triglycerides . Like LDL, when these are elevated, they increase the risk of heart disease.

Normally, our liver produces the cholesterol we need. But we also get extra cholesterol from the foods we eat, especially processed foods (e.g., donuts, frozen pizza, biscuits, patties, rolls) and animal foods (milk, eggs, meat). Over time, this extra cholesterol can start to damage our bodies without us even realizing it.

What are the symptoms of high cholesterol?

This is the most important thing. Even if your cholesterol is high, you may not show any symptoms. You may have dangerously high cholesterol levels in your body without even realizing it.

Knowing these values ​​can help you reduce your risk of heart disease. If you already have heart disease, lowering your cholesterol can help reduce your risk of heart attack or related death.

How to know cholesterol level?

If you are over 20 years old, doctors recommend that you have your cholesterol levels checked at least every 5 years . This is done with a simple blood test called a lipid profile . This test shows the following about your:

• Total cholesterol level
• LDL (bad) cholesterol level
• HDL (good) cholesterol level
• Triglyceride levels

It's important to get your cholesterol checked even for children. It's usually recommended that children get their cholesterol checked once between the ages of 9 and 11. However, if you have any of the following risk factors, it's important to get checked even earlier (between the ages of 2 and 10).

Your cholesterol levels will help you and your doctor decide what your risk of heart disease is, and what the best ways to lower it are. For example, if an adult's LDL level is 190 mg/dL or higher, it's considered very high. Your doctor will talk to you about starting medication to lower it. Similarly, if your HDL (good) level is 60 mg/dL or higher, your risk of heart disease is reduced.

What are the causes of high cholesterol?

Various things can cause cholesterol levels to increase or decrease.

Diet

• Saturated fats and simple carbohydrates: Reducing foods high in these can help lower blood cholesterol levels.
• Trans fats: Avoid artificial trans fats. These raise cholesterol. Check the labels of baked goods, snacks, frozen pizza, margarine, etc. If the label says "Partially hydrogenated," it means it contains trans fats.
• Good fats (Unsaturated fats): These do not raise cholesterol levels. These good fats are found in things like nuts, fish, vegetable oils, olive oil, and avocados.
• Sugar: Eating and drinking too much sugar can increase your triglyceride levels.
• Fiber: Foods high in fiber help lower cholesterol levels. Fiber can be found in legumes, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and whole grains.

Lifestyle and other factors

• Excess weight: Being overweight is a risk factor for heart disease. It also increases cholesterol levels. Losing weight can help lower LDL, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.
• Exercise: Regular exercise can lower bad LDL cholesterol and increase good HDL cholesterol. Aim for at least 2 1/2 hours of moderate exercise, such as brisk walking, per week.
• Smoking: Smoking can increase blood fat (triglyceride) levels and lower good HDL cholesterol levels.
• Age and heredity: Cholesterol levels tend to rise as we age. Sometimes high cholesterol can be hereditary.
• Other medical conditions and medications: Cholesterol can increase due to conditions such as hypothyroidism, liver disease, kidney disease, and certain medications such as steroids.

Medications that lower cholesterol

If lifestyle changes alone aren't enough to control your cholesterol, your doctor may recommend medication. The best option will depend on your overall heart disease risk.

Additionally, some people may experience side effects such as changes in liver function, stomach pain, and constipation. Also, avoid drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medication. It can affect the way the medication works.

Complications caused by high cholesterol

When cholesterol increases, it is deposited on the walls of the blood vessels, gradually narrowing and thickening the vessels. We call this condition atherosclerosis . When the vessels narrow in this way, blood flow is obstructed. The parts of the body, including our heart, get the oxygen they need from the blood. Problems arise when this blood flow is obstructed.

• High blood pressure: The heart has to work harder to pump blood through narrowed arteries.
• Chest pain (Angina): Occurs when the heart muscle does not receive enough blood and oxygen.
• Heart attack and stroke: This can occur when a piece of fatty deposits breaks off or a blood clot forms, completely blocking a blood vessel leading to the heart or brain.
• Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): Blockage of the arteries that supply blood to the legs and feet.