High LDL cholesterol: symptoms, causes, to treatment

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Definition

What is high LDL cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in blood fats (lipids). Cholesterol is important for the formation of cell membranes, vitamin D, bile acids, and certain hormones.

However, having high cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease. Cholesterol cannot dissolve in the blood and must pass through the bloodstream with carriers called lipoproteins. You may have heard of different types of cholesterol, based on the type of cholesterol carried by lipoproteins, including:

• Low-density lipoprotein (LDL). LDL cholesterol is what can be referred to as "bad" cholesterol in which LDL cholesterol builds up on the artery walls, making them hard and narrow.
• High-density lipoprotein (HDL). HDL cholesterol is referred to as "good" cholesterol which helps remove excess LDL cholesterol in the arteries and return it to the liver.

The higher the level of LDL cholesterol you have in the arteries, the greater the risk of a heart attack from sudden blood clots that you can experience. High cholesterol is often associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

These can include coronary heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease. High cholesterol is linked to diabetes and high blood pressure.

How common is high LDL cholesterol?

High LDL cholesterol is very common and can occur in patients of any age. High LDL cholesterol can be treated by reducing risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of high LDL cholesterol?

Generally, high LDL cholesterol has no signs or symptoms. However, usually the symptoms of high LDL cholesterol are:

• Very high LDL cholesterol from birth
• Accumulation of fat under the skin, especially around the Achilles and hand muscles
• Yellow fat deposits on the eyelids
• Gray, white or blue circles around the cornea
• Chest pain
• Stroke-like symptoms

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

Usually high cholesterol has no symptoms. Sometimes, the first sign that you have high cholesterol or other risk factors for heart disease is a heart attack, stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). Call emergency services.

Cause

What causes high LDL cholesterol?

The following are things that can trigger or worsen your condition:

• Eating habit. Eating too much saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol can raise cholesterol.
• Overweight. Can increase triglycerides and lower HDL.
• Certain diseases. It can increase the risk of high cholesterol, such as hypothyroidism and some types of liver disease.
• Certain drugs. Can increase triglyceride levels and lower HDL cholesterol levels. Medications can include thiazide diuretics, beta-blockers, estrogens, and corticosteroids.

Risk factors

What increases my risk for LDL cholesterol?

Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, the factors that put you at risk of having high LDL cholesterol are:

• Unhealthy diet. Eat foods high in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol.
• Overweight. Having a body mass index of 30 or more leads to a high risk of cholesterol.
• Exercise rarely. Exercise can help you raise HDL cholesterol and reduce the particle size of LDL cholesterol.
• Smoke. Smoking damages the walls of blood vessels, causing fat to accumulate easily. Smoking can also lower levels of HDL or "good" cholesterol.
• Men with a waist circumference of at least 40 inches (102 cm) or women with a waist at least 35 inches (89 cm).
• Family history. If high cholesterol runs in your family, you can experience it too and it may be more difficult to cure.
• Age. Because the chemicals in your body change with age. For example, as you get older, your liver becomes less able to get rid of LDL cholesterol.
• Diabetes. High blood sugar can lead to higher levels of LDL cholesterol. High blood sugar can also damage the lining of your arteries.

Complications

What complications can I have with this condition?

Left untreated, high LDL cholesterol can cause plaque to build up in your arteries. Over time, this plaque can narrow your blood vessels. This condition is known as atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is a serious condition. These conditions can restrict blood flow through your arteries. It also increases the risk of developing dangerous blood clots.

Atherosclerosis can lead to life-threatening complications, such as:

• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Angina
• High blood pressure
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Chronic kidney disease

High LDL cholesterol can also cause a bile imbalance, thereby increasing the risk of gallstones.

Medicines & Medicines

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How is this condition diagnosed?

High cholesterol can only be diagnosed with a blood test. A blood test, called a lipid panel or lipid profile, will show:

• Total cholesterol
• LDL cholesterol
• HDL cholesterol
• Triglycerides - a type of fat in the blood

For the most accurate measurement, do not consume anything (other than water) for 9-12 hours before the blood sample is drawn. Everyone over 20 years old should have cholesterol checked every 5 years. For children, cholesterol tests are usually done between the ages of 9-11 years, and other tests are between the ages of 17-21 years.

How is high LDL cholesterol handled?

The goal of treating high LDL cholesterol is to reduce the chance of a heart attack or stroke, not just to lower cholesterol numbers. The 2 types of treatment are lifestyle changes and medication.

Treatment depends on a variety of factors, including individual risk factors, age, health condition and possible side effects. Common options include statins, bile acid-binding resins, and cholesterol-absorbing inhibitors.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat high LDL cholesterol?

Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with high LDL cholesterol:

Healthy diet

• Choose monounsaturated fats - which are found in olives, canola oil, avocados, almonds, pecans and walnuts as a substitute for saturated and trans fats.
• Limit your cholesterol intake. The most saturated sources of cholesterol include organ meats, egg yolks and dairy products.
• Have a low-salt diet that includes lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
• Increase your fiber intake by eating lots of fruits and vegetables.
• Eat heart-healthy fish.
• Limit alcohol intake (no more than 1 drink per day for women and 2 drinks per day for men).

Healthy habits

Lose excess weight. Losing just 5-10 pounds can lower total cholesterol levels.

• Exercise regularly. Regular exercise a few days a week for at least 30 minutes can help improve your cholesterol levels.
• Do not smoke. Smoking can damage blood vessels and accelerate the accumulation of plaque in the arteries.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.