Did the doctor say that your cholesterol level is a little high in your latest blood report? Or does someone in your family or a friend have this problem? Don't just ignore it, thinking, "Oh... that's normal now." Because, this thing called cholesterol is a silent enemy that can cause a lot of damage inside our body without making any noise. Therefore, let's understand this exactly today and talk about the diseases related to it and how to avoid them.
What exactly is cholesterol?
Simply put, cholesterol is a type of fat (oil) found in our blood. It is essential for many things in our body, including building cells and producing certain hormones. But, like anything, problems start when it gets too much.
There are several main types of cholesterol. Let's understand them in a simple way.
| Fat type | What they do and what they are like |
|---|---|
| LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) | This is the "bad cholesterol." When it builds up, it builds up inside our arteries, like rust in a water pipe, narrowing the passage of blood. This is the root of many diseases. |
| HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) | This is the "good cholesterol." What it does is reduce the amount of bad LDL cholesterol that builds up in the blood vessels and takes it back to the liver. In other words, it's like a blood vessel cleaner. |
| Triglycerides | These are not actually cholesterol, but another type of fat that we get from the food we eat. They are stored as energy. But if they get too high, especially when LDL is high and HDL is low, they increase the risk of heart disease. |
This LDL cholesterol is deposited in the blood vessels, causing them to thicken, narrow, and become blocked, a condition we medically call atherosclerosis . This is the cause of many diseases.
Diseases that can occur due to high cholesterol
Okay, now let's see what kind of diseases we can develop due to this increase in bad cholesterol.
1. Coronary Heart Disease
The main risk factor for heart disease is cholesterol. Think about the main blood vessels that supply blood to your heart (coronary arteries). When LDL cholesterol is high, fatty deposits (plaque) build up on the walls of these arteries. Over time, these deposits thicken and narrow the blood flow.
- Angina: When the blood flow becomes narrow, the heart does not get enough oxygen and nutrients. You may experience a squeezing pain in the chest, especially during exercise. This is called angina.
- Heart Attack: If that plaque suddenly ruptures, a blood clot forms and the artery is completely blocked, blood is cut off to part of the heart. That's what we call a heart attack.
2. Stroke
This cholesterol is deposited not only in the blood vessels of the heart. It can also be deposited in the vessels that carry blood to our brain. If such a vessel is completely blocked, blood flow to a part of the brain stops, and that part becomes inactive. This dangerous condition is what we call a stroke.
3. Peripheral Vascular Disease
This problem isn't limited to the heart and brain. The blood vessels that carry blood to your legs and arms can also become blocked in this way. Most of the time, the symptoms of this condition appear in the legs.
You may feel a pain as if your knee is about to roll over when you walk. It will subside after you rest for a while. The pain will come back when you walk. This is similar to the pain of angina, but it affects the legs.
4. Diabetes
There is a strong link between diabetes and cholesterol. In a person with diabetes, the balance between good (HDL) and bad (LDL) cholesterol is often disrupted.
People with diabetes have LDL cholesterol that can easily stick to their arteries and cause damage. Also, the excess sugar (glucose) in the blood sticks to these cholesterol particles, causing them to stay in the blood vessels longer. This accelerates the formation of fatty deposits (plaque). People with diabetes, especially Type 2 Diabetes, have low levels of good cholesterol (HDL) and high levels of triglycerides and bad cholesterol (LDL). This condition is called diabetic dyslipidemia .
5. High Blood Pressure/Hypertension
When cholesterol levels increase, a subtle inflammation occurs inside the blood vessels, causing them to become a little stiff and less flexible. Then the heart has to work harder than usual to pump blood through those narrowed, stiffened vessels. That's when the pressure, or blood pressure, increases. High blood pressure is another major cause of heart disease.
6. Erectile Dysfunction
This is the same story. There are very fine blood vessels that supply blood to the penis. When cholesterol builds up and these vessels gradually become clogged, the blood that is needed to provide an erection during sexual intercourse does not flow to that area. Having high cholesterol levels over a long period of time can be a major cause of male sexual dysfunction.
How can you reduce cholesterol and avoid this risk?
The good news is that there are many things we can do to protect ourselves from these risks. A few simple changes to your lifestyle can make a big difference.
1. Talk to your doctor: First, see your doctor and get advice. He or she will help you create a diet and exercise plan that is right for you.
2. Change your diet: Reduce your intake of fatty, fried foods, cakes, biscuits, breads, sugary drinks, trans fats, and saturated fats. Instead, include oats, fruits, vegetables, nuts (e.g. walnuts), and oily fish like mackerel, mackerel, and sardines .
3. Quit smoking completely: Smoking lowers your "good" cholesterol (HDL). If you quit smoking, the benefits for your heart and your entire body are immeasurable.
4. Exercise: Even a simple exercise like brisk walking for 30 minutes a day can go a long way in helping you manage your weight, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Exercise can also lower triglycerides and increase good cholesterol (HDL).
5. Use your medication correctly: If your doctor prescribes medication to control your cholesterol levels, take it exactly as prescribed. Most often, statin drugs are prescribed. If you experience side effects from them, be sure to talk to your doctor about it. He or she will then suggest another treatment option that is suitable for you (e.g. `(Nexletol)`, `(Nexlizet)`). Never stop taking your medication or change the dosage without consulting your doctor.
Take-Home Message
- High cholesterol is a silent risk factor that leads to many serious diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Don't underestimate it.
- Be aware of your LDL (bad), HDL (good), and triglyceride levels in your blood. Get regular medical checkups.
- A healthy diet, regular exercise, and avoiding smoking can have a major impact on cholesterol control.
- Never skip the treatments and medications prescribed by your doctor. If you have any problems, the best and only person to talk to about them is your doctor.
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