What high cholesterol does to your body: Cholesterol is a sticky substance in your blood that helps build healthy cells. But if it grows too much it can be dangerous. Anything above 200 mg/dL is considered a health hazard. High cholesterol is also known as the ‘silent killer’. Since there are usually no obvious symptoms and a normal condition can lead to more serious problems such as stroke or heart disease, you can avoid it.
How does cholesterol harm the body?
Getting regular blood tests to check your cholesterol levels is always the right decision. And lifestyle choices such as not smoking, exercising 150 minutes a week, and eating a healthy diet can help keep cholesterol levels normal. Let’s find out how cholesterol can harm your body.
1. Blood vessels get blocked
One of the most dangerous aspects of cholesterol is atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque in the arteries. Which may cause blockage. Blood and oxygen reach the heart tissue through the arteries, which can be life-threatening if blocked. This condition is called ‘coronary artery disease’.
2. Can have a heart attack
High cholesterol blocks blood flow and damages blood vessels by forming plaques that obstruct oxygen delivery. When this happens in the coronary arteries that supply the heart, the heart becomes weak and cannot pump blood properly, and then a heart attack occurs, followed by chest pain.
3. Risk of Stroke
Atherosclerosis reduces the heart’s ability to pump blood. This makes it easier for blood clots to form in distant veins or in the heart itself. The clots can travel to the lungs, causing difficulty in breathing. Lack of oxygen can also lead to death. Clots also form in the brain, restricting vital tissue there and then leading to stroke. It can be fatal if not treated immediately.
4. High blood pressure
High cholesterol can also cause high blood pressure. As plaque builds up in blood vessels, they harden and thicken, obstructing blood flow. Your heart has to work harder to transport blood to all parts of the body. The extra pressure causes the walls of the blood vessels to weaken.
(Disclaimer: The information given here is based on home remedies and general information. Please seek medical advice before using it. ZEE 24 TAA does not endorse it.)
