Causes Of High Cholesterol

High cholesterol is a major health risk. Unless persistent, high cholesterol doesn’t usually lead to death; however, it can put you at risk of heart attacks, strokes, and premature death. It is a sign of a metabolic issue and so, it’s important to understand how your body handles cholesterol.

This condition is normally caused by eating too much-saturated fat. Well, that is just one of the causes. Do you know what are the other causes of high cholesterol?

Let’s have a look at some of them:

• Heredity – Researchers have established a strong link between genetics and high cholesterol in the past century. They’ve found that certain genes may be a risk factor that can cause this condition. In fact, around 20% of people with cholesterol issues may have a genetic marker that puts them at risk. Another study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that genetics determines a person’s cholesterol levels by at least 80%.

• Gender – There are many causes of high cholesterol, but one of the most overlooked reasons is gender. The male gender has been linked to many diseases due to their higher cholesterol level, and they also have a higher tendency to develop more of it than women.

• Age – For many people, the thought of getting older can be a scary one. Not only is the physical part of aging a slow process, but a host of other health issues can also accompany it. One of the most common of these is cholesterol. Age is one of the most common causes of high cholesterol, and it brings a lot of health complications that can affect our quality of life.

• Diet – While many people assume that excessive consumption of fat is a primary cause of cholesterol, certain foods high in saturated fat do not always raise cholesterol levels. In fact, saturated fats are not the problem-they are merely the symptom. The real culprit is the excess consumption of dietary cholesterol, which is the primary cause of elevated levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood.

• Level of physical activity – There are two main reasons why you may have high cholesterol: 1: you eat too much, and 2: you don’t get enough exercise. We all know that physical activity is good for our health, but people don’t understand that it is just as important as our diet. Physical activity is not just walking or running; it can be as simple as pushing a wheelbarrow, raking leaves, or gardening. But the most important thing is to get the right kind of exercise.

• Obesity – It’s well-known that obesity is one of the most important risk factors for high blood cholesterol: a high body mass index (BMI) and a high level of fat stored in the abdomen contribute to the development of cholesterol. Indeed, the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes is significantly increased by obesity. On the other hand, several studies also suggest that obesity can be caused due to cholesterol. Experts explain that obesity is associated with changes in the body’s metabolism, which can cause an increase in the amount of fat deposited in the body.

• Smoking – Smoking is the leading cause of heart disease in the United States. If you’re a smoker, you probably already know this. The habit is hazardous to your health, and there is no good way you can quit. But did you also know that smoking can also raise your cholesterol levels? That’s right. You can get high cholesterol from smoking, too.

• Diabetes – You may have heard that high cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease. But if you’re reading this website, you already know that. The reason we’re writing this is to suggest that you may want to consider another risk factor: high cholesterol. While it’s crucial to be aware of this risk factor, it can be equally important to consult with experienced medical professionals (like cardiologists in Newton, NJ) who can provide comprehensive cholesterol screenings. That way, they can offer personalized treatment plans and expert guidance to help you manage your cholesterol levels effectively. There’s also a strong link between cholesterol and type 2 diabetes. If you have diabetes and are also a high-cholesterol person (or the other way around), you’d be well advised by cardiologists to take a close look at your lipid numbers.

Having said that, cholesterol is often dangerous. If you have high cholesterol, the best thing you can do is to follow a healthy diet, exercise, and maintain a healthy weight. Going to regular checkups will also help you follow the right medication.