Do you have high cholesterol? Let's talk about this silent enemy!

Most of the time, we get scared when we hear the word 'cholesterol'. Some people think that this is a disease that only affects fat people. But the truth is much different. Even if you are thin and healthy, your blood cholesterol level can be high. The scariest thing is that it does not show any special symptoms at first. Like a silent enemy inside our body, high cholesterol can lead to serious conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke over time.

Are there really no symptoms when cholesterol is high?

Simply put, there are no obvious symptoms directly related to high cholesterol. That's the danger of this. You can go about your daily life without any problems, but cholesterol can be deposited in the blood vessels inside the body.

However, sometimes when cholesterol levels become very high, especially due to hereditary causes, some signs may appear.

• Xanthomas: Some people may develop yellowish, soft fatty lumps on the surface of their skin, especially around the eyes, elbows, knees, or buttocks. These are called xanthomas. If you see these, it can be a sign that your blood cholesterol levels are very high.
• Male impotence: Cholesterol deposits in the blood vessels can obstruct blood flow. This condition can cause impotence in some men.
• Diabetes Mellitus and Obesity: Many people with diabetes and those who are overweight are at increased risk of high cholesterol levels.

What is a "Lipid Profile"?

When you see a doctor and get a blood test to check your cholesterol, the report doesn't just say "cholesterol." It has several values. This entire test is what we call a "lipid profile." Let's look at the main components of it.

• LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) Cholesterol: This is what we call "bad cholesterol." Simply put, these are the ones that build up on the walls of our blood vessels, narrowing and blocking them, leading to diseases like heart attacks and strokes. It is very important to keep this level low.

• HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol: This is what we call "good cholesterol"Like a superhero, this HDL cholesterol helps carry the bad LDL cholesterol that has built up in the blood vessels to the liver and remove it from the body. So, the higher the HDL level, the better for us.

• Triglycerides: This is another type of fat found in our blood. This is how the body stores extra calories from the food we eat. Elevated levels of these also increase the risk of heart disease.

Your doctor will look at all of these values ​​to determine your risk of heart disease.

What can we do to control cholesterol?

The good news is that cholesterol levels can be largely controlled by making lifestyle changes.

Get regular medical checkups.

Since cholesterol has no symptoms, it is important to have your cholesterol levels checked every 4-6 years after the age of 20. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or are overweight, your doctor may recommend more frequent testing.

Make exercise a part of your life.

Exercise is a great way to increase HDL (good cholesterol) and lower LDL (bad cholesterol). You don't have to run a marathon. Just brisk walking, swimming, or dancing for 30 minutes a day, 3-4 days a week, is enough. If you're short on time, you can also exercise for 10 minutes a few times a day.

Quit smoking completely.

Smoking lowers your good cholesterol (HDL). This means that more bad cholesterol (LDL) stays in your body. Smoking is also directly linked to many diseases, such as heart disease and high blood pressure. Quitting smoking will improve your cholesterol levels and the health of your blood vessels.

Be careful about what you eat and drink.

The foods we eat directly affect cholesterol, and we need to be especially careful about this.

Maintain a healthy weight.

Weight gain, especially visceral fat , increases bad LDL cholesterol and lowers good HDL cholesterol. Losing even 10% of your weight can have a big impact on your cholesterol levels. Talk to your doctor about the best diet and exercise plan for you.

When should you see a doctor immediately?

Although cholesterol is silent, there are symptoms of complications that can arise from it. If you or someone in your family has any of these symptoms, seek medical advice immediately.

If you already have medical conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure, follow the treatment your doctor has given you exactly. Don't skip your medication. Be sure to talk to your doctor before changing your treatment plan.