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Explore the critical link between cholesterol and heart disease in our detailed blog. Understand the differences between good and bad cholesterol, identify risk factors, and discover dietary changes to manage cholesterol levels. Learn how high cholesterol can lead to heart disease and the importance of regular checkups. Stay informed for a healthier heart with Sterling Accuris Diagnostics.
Table of Contents
Cholesterol is a silent killer. You might have heard or read this. There is a lot of misinformation surrounding cholesterol. However, this waxy substance is both good and bad for your body, depending on its levels. Let us understand cholesterol in detail.
Cholesterol is a lipid (compounds that aid your body with some functions) that travels throughout the body to help parts in need. Primarily, the liver produces cholesterol to fulfill the body’s requirements, but you also receive additional cholesterol from several foods you consume.
One interesting fact to note is that the human brain loves cholesterol. Even though the brain accounts for around 2% of the body weight, this fatty organ contains around 20% of the cholesterol.
Therefore, it mandates us to understand the role of cholesterol in our body, its type, and the foods containing good cholesterol.
Cholesterol plays a vital role in the functioning of your body. It helps the cell membranes develop protective layers and aids the production of vitamin D, some hormones, and bile. In the brain, cholesterol participates in the communication process for serotonin, dopamine, and other neurotransmitters. It is directly associated with the brain’s processing speed since myelin (a white fatty covering protecting the neurons that helps increase the processing speed) primarily comprises cholesterol. Moreover, it is also important for "lipid raft" development. They are membranes involved in the signaling of brain cells.
Even though cholesterol is essential for our body, higher cholesterol levels may do more harm than good. The body has two main types of cholesterol.
LDL or Low-Density-Lipoproteins are particles that deliver cholesterol to the cells.
These substances, mainly made of cholesterol, are essential for the body; however, excessive presence and circulation are bad.
LDLs can combine with other particles to accumulate on the walls of arteries. Continuous build-up of such fatty deposits leads to plaque (atherosclerosis), increasing the chances of stroke, heart attack, and other major concerns. Ideal LDL levels in adults should be less than 100 mg/dl, and those with a history of atherosclerosis should have it below 70 mg/dl.
Thus, everybody should choose a heart health checkup package in Vadodara to monitor LDL levels and heart health to ensure all is well.
HDL or high-density lipoproteins primarily consist of proteins. HDL removes the excess cholesterol in the blood by transporting it to the liver— the liver then starts breaking down the waxy substances to flush out entirely from the body. Thus, HDL is a good cholesterol that everybody wants to keep high. Ideal HDL levels for males at birth are a minimum of 40 mg/dl, and for females at birth, they stand at a minimum of 50 mg/dl. Adults must have HDL levels of 60 mg/dl or above.
By now, you understand good and bad cholesterol, but here is the basic difference between HDL and LDL.
Basis |
LDL (Bad Cholesterol) |
HDL (Good Cholesterol) |
Behavior |
Accumulates around the artery walls along with other substances resulting in plaque. |
Transfers excess cholesterol to the liver for complete disposal. |
Found in |
Red meat, whole-fat dairy products, tropical oils, sugary beverages, fried foods, and more. |
Avocado, oats, nuts, soybeans, olive oil, fatty fish, tea, and vegetables like leafy greens. |
Health effects |
Significantly increases the risk of heart attack and coronary artery diseases. |
Significantly decreases the chances of stroke, heart attack, and other heart-related diseases. |
Ideal levels |
Below 100 mg/dl |
Above 40 mg/dl |
Common risk factors for high cholesterol levels are:
There are no visible symptoms of high cholesterol. As a result, most people with the condition are unaware till they undergo diagnostic tests at a pathology lab in India. Thus, it is crucial to get cholesterol levels checked every once in a while.
Please note that if you suffer from familial hypercholesterolemia (a genetic disorder that increases the level of bad cholesterol), there are chances you might see the following symptoms:
High blood cholesterol levels are often identified with blood tests. These tests, known as lipid profiles or lipid panels, report total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides (a fat type present in the bloodstream).
One of the major pre-instructions of this test is that you must fast for eight to ten hours before the blood test. If you are advised to get your cholesterol levels checked or if you are googling a heart check up test near me, you can book our cholesterol test from the website or the application. We provide home blood sample collection services, ensuring the tests are done at your convenience and comfort.
Some foods that lower cholesterol fast or manage the levels are:
Foods that are a NO-NO for people with high cholesterol levels are:
Lifestyle modifications can help you reduce cholesterol naturally. Some of the must follow lifestyle habits are:
While these are some general modifications, you should consult your healthcare provider to understand more effective ways of reducing LDL levels.
Excessive cholesterol accumulated at the walls of the arteries can lead to heart disease. This is because the arteries shrink due to the fatty deposits, slowing or blocking the blood flow to the heart muscle. Several studies state that LDL and triglyceride levels are primarily responsible for heart concerns. While the former leads to artery-clogging plaque, higher levels of the latter can lead to serious heart disease.
Higher levels of LDL particles can lead to the build-up of fatty deposits around the blood vessels, making it challenging for the blood to pass through arteries. The build-up can lead to blockage, cutting off the blood supply to the heart. This can lead to heart attack and also makes cholesterol one of the primary causes of heart attack.
Cholesterol is important for your body. However, excessive cholesterol is terrible, and so are high cholesterol levels. They can interfere with the routine functioning of your heart, leading to severe complications or issues. Thus, everybody should undergo a cholesterol and heart disease checkup in Vadodara, helping them and their healthcare providers keep track of their levels.
NHLBI recommends that the first cholesterol test be conducted between the ages of 9 and 11. For adults, especially men between 45 and 65 and women between 55 and 65, the test should be conducted every one or two years, and those above 65 should be done annually.