Do you also have high cholesterol? (Hyperlipidemia) Let's talk about this simply!

Have you ever seen a blood test report that shows a slightly high cholesterol level? Or have you heard a family member or friend talk about this? In fact, this is a familiar experience for many people in our country. Some people think of this as something very serious and are afraid, while others take it lightly, thinking, "It's something that happens to everyone." What exactly is this high cholesterol, or what doctors call hyperlipidemia? Let's talk about this very simply, without any fear or doubt.

Simply put, what is hyperlipidemia?

Very simple. Hyperlipidemia is when you have more fats, or lipids, in your blood than is normal. Some people also call this dyslipidemia. Now you might be thinking, "Oh, I'm gaining too much fat." Don't worry, let's explain this a little more.

Cholesterol is a type of fat that is essential for our bodies. Our liver naturally produces this cholesterol. Do you know why? We need this cholesterol to help us digest the food we eat and to make many important things, such as hormones.

But the problem starts here. In addition to the amount of cholesterol we need being made by the liver, we also get extra cholesterol from the foods we eat, especially animal foods like meat, dairy, butter, and cheese. The problem starts when the body accumulates more cholesterol than it needs.

When blood flow is disrupted like this, vital organs like our heart and brain are deprived of the oxygen and nutrients they need. That's where the real danger lies.

What's the story about "good" cholesterol and "bad" cholesterol?

You've probably heard of "good cholesterol" and " bad cholesterol ." You've probably seen three or four values ​​in your blood test: `LDL, `HDL, and `Triglycerides.' Let's understand this with a very simple example.

Think of cholesterol as passengers traveling on the road of blood. These passengers cannot travel alone, they travel in special types of vehicles. We call these vehicles lipoproteins.

Now you understand that the problem is not just "cholesterol", but rather the imbalance between the "good" and "bad" types.

What happens to the body when cholesterol increases? Are there any symptoms?

This is the most dangerous thing about this condition and the thing we need to pay attention to. When cholesterol is high, there are no symptoms in the early stages. You don't feel any pain or discomfort. That's why many people don't know about their cholesterol levels.

But the damage from within gradually increases. Fat builds up inside the blood vessels, narrowing the passage for blood. If this continues for years, one day, a plaque can suddenly rupture, forming a blood clot that can completely block the blood vessel.

• If the blockage occurs in an artery that supplies blood to the heart, it causes a heart attack .
• If it occurs in a blood vessel that supplies blood to the brain, it causes a stroke .

That's why cholesterol is called the "silent enemy." By the time symptoms appear, the damage is often already done. That's why it's important to get your blood tested at regular intervals , rather than waiting for symptoms to appear.

Rarely, people with familial hypercholesterolemia may develop yellow fatty lumps on the skin (xanthomas) or a white ring around the cornea (corneal arcus), but this is very rare.

Why does this cholesterol increase? What are the risk factors?

There is not one single cause of high cholesterol, but many factors can contribute to it. Some things we can control, some things we can't.

Lifestyle factors we can change:

• Unhealthy diet: Consuming too much oil, sugar, salt, and processed foods. Especially foods containing saturated fats and trans fats (bakery products, fast food).
• Lack of exercise: Sitting in one place most of the day, not getting any exercise for the body.
• Smoking : Smoking lowers "good" cholesterol (HDL) levels and damages blood vessels.
• Excessive alcohol consumption: This can also increase cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
• Obesity: Excess body weight is a major risk factor.
• Stress: Long-term stress can also indirectly affect cholesterol levels.

Other medical reasons beyond our control:

• Genetics: If someone in your family has high cholesterol or heart disease, you are also at higher risk.
• Age:There is a natural tendency for cholesterol levels to increase as we age.
• Other diseases: Conditions such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, kidney disease, and liver disease can also cause high cholesterol.
• Certain medications: Certain medications for high blood pressure (Beta-blockers, Diuretics), and hormonal medications can also cause changes in cholesterol levels.

How to know cholesterol level?

This is very easy. Your doctor will ask you to do a blood test called a `Lipid Profile` (sometimes called a `Fasting Lipid Profile`). This involves fasting for about 8-12 hours (drinking only water) and then giving a blood sample.

From that report, yours,

• Total Cholesterol
• LDL (bad cholesterol)
• HDL (good cholesterol)
• Triglycerides

The doctor will get a clear picture of each value. Then, taking into account everything like your age, other medical conditions, and family history, he will assess your cardiovascular disease risk score and give you the necessary advice.

What should we do to control cholesterol?

The good news is that cholesterol is something we can control very well. There are two main ways to do this.

1. Lifestyle Changes

This is the first and most important step in treatment. Sometimes, if your cholesterol levels are not very high, you can control them by making just these changes.

• Heart-healthy diet:
• Eat more vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains (brown rice, oats).
• Reduce your intake of oily, fried foods, fast food, cakes, and biscuits as much as possible.
• Instead of animal fats (red meat, butter, cheese), add foods that contain good fats like fish (such as salmon, mackerel, sardines), nuts (cashews, peanuts), and avocados to your diet.
• Reduce salt and sugar consumption.
• Exercising regularly:
• Engage in exercise such as brisk walking, running, cycling, or swimming for at least 30 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week.
• Maintaining a healthy weight:
• Ask your doctor about the appropriate weight for your height. If you are overweight, try to lose weight gradually.
• Completely abstaining from smoking:
• If you are a smoker, quitting is the best decision you can make for your health.
• Limiting alcohol.

2. Medication

If lifestyle changes alone cannot control your cholesterol levels, or if you are at high risk for heart disease, your doctor will prescribe medication.

When starting this medication, some people may experience minor side effects such as muscle pain. If this happens, do not stop taking the medication and inform your doctor immediately. He or she will adjust the medication or change the dosage to suit you. Never stop taking the medication on your own.