Cholesterol meaning 

Cholesterol is a fat, or lipid substance found in the blood. Fat does not dissolve in water, that is why they do not come apart in the blood. Our body requires cholesterol to construct healthy cells. But too much cholesterol can cause a problem.

The source of cholesterol in the liver and the remaining cholesterol in the body comes from animals. For example poultry, meat, dairy products. All of these contain cholesterol. 

Cholesterol structure 

Cholesterol is a molecule belonging to the steroid family. The molecular formula is C27H46O. When it is in its pure state, it’s a white and crystalline substance that is odorless and tasteless. Cholesterol plays an important role in animal life, and it is crucial for the typical functioning of cells. 

Cholesterol levels

Cholesterol levels vary from person to person according to their gender and age. It’s recommended to check your cholesterol levels every 4 to 5 years. Cholesterol level is measured in three classification-

  1. LDL (low-density lipoprotein) or bad cholesterol – Can cause serious heart problems like stroke and attack. 
  2. HDL (high-density lipoprotein) or good cholesterol – Can help return the LDL cholesterol to the liver for elimination. 
  3. Total cholesterol levels – This includes both HDL and LDL. 

The cholesterol range increases with age. Experts recommend taking precautions in early-stage to prevent high levels of cholesterol. High cholesterol in the blood is one of the major controllable risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Given below are some readings of cholesterol normal range 

For adults-

  • The total cholesterol levels of an adult are between 200-239 mg/FL. If the reading exceeds over 240 mg/dl, it’s considered high. 
  • HDL levels of an adult should be between 41 mg/dl- 59mg/dl.
  • LDL cholesterol levels should be somewhere between 100-129 mg/dl.

For children-

  • Total cholesterol levels range from 170 to 199 mg/dL.
  • LDL levels should be between 110 to 129 mg/dL. 

High Cholesterol symptoms

Having high cholesterol in the blood doesn’t always show oblivious symptoms but it can increase the chances of angina, high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke. Some other high cholesterol symptoms are-

  • Yellow lesions on the skin. This condition is called xanthomas.
  • Overweight or diabetes
  • Impotency in males
  • Angina 
  • Shortness of breath 
  • Pain in the upper abdomen, back
  • Numbness in the extremities 
  • Extreme fatigue 
  • Dizziness 
  • Yellow lumps around the eyes 
  • Slurred speech 

What are cholesterol risk levels?

High levels of cholesterol in the blood can be hazardous to the heart. High blood cholesterol can lead to hardening of the arteries and over time cause blood flow to and from the heart to slow down or become obstructed. An individual is considered at high risk for developing heart disease if their,

  • Total cholesterol level is elevated
  • LDL levels are higher than 160 mg/dL 
  • HDL level is below 40 mg/dL.

If the cholesterol level is excessively high, there are chances of acquiring heart disease and having a stroke. These risks are escalated for certain people based on other factors, such as diet and family history, so one needs to know how these factors affect your risk of developing heart disease.

Cholesterol risk factors 

Down below we have listed some factors which increase the risk of cholesterol disease-

    • Age- Young children can also have high cholesterol. But it is mostly seen in people over 45 years old. 
    • Obesity- An individual having a body mass index of more than 30 is at a high risk of cholesterol-related diseases.
  • Lack of exercise- Indulging in physical activities boosts your body’s HDL, that is the good cholesterol.
  • Consuming alcohol- Drinking a lot of alcohol can increase the total cholesterol levels.
  • Smoking cigarettes- reduces the level of HDL.
  • Poor diet- Taking too much trans fat or saturated fat can result in high cholesterol.

Cholesterol risk factor chart

Risk category Treatment
Category 1, low risk Change in lifestyle and diet is suggested. 
Category 2, moderate riskFollow a low cholesterol diet and start with drug treatment.
Category 3, high riskFollow a heart-healthy diet, consider drug treatment, and talk to a physician.
Category 4, highest risk Immediately seek medical assistance and follow a heart-healthy diet.

 

What is the cholesterol diet plan?

  • Choose healthier fats instead of trans and saturated fats. 
  • Limit consuming salts.
  • Avoid foods with cholesterol 
  • Consume almond milk
  • Limit salt
  • Stop consuming alcohol 
  • Eat lots of soluble fiber

How to lower cholesterol levels?

  • Weight management – If you’re obese, losing weight can help lower your LDL levels in the blood.
  • Physical activity – Individuals suffering from cholesterol should exercise at least for 30 minutes a day. 
  • Managing stress – Experts suggest that stress can sometimes raise LDL levels and lower HDL levels.
  • Eat healthily – Having a healthy eating plan and limiting the amount of trans and saturated fat in the diet can help you lower your cholesterol levels.
  • Quit smoking – This can raise your HDL levels. As HDL helps to remove LDL cholesterol from the arteries, having more HDL can help to lower LDL levels.
  • Drug treatment – In case lifestyle changes do not lower your cholesterol levels, you may need medications. But before taking any drug treatment, have a health check-up in Patna.

Why is GoodDeed clinic the best for your health checkups?

GoodDeed provides you with proper medical assistance in the clinic in Patna. We ensure you get high-quality services from a neurologist on a boring road and a gastroenterologist on a boring road Patna, at the best price possible. GoodDeed has exceptionally qualified and experienced physician doctors in Patna boring road, who are trained in the USA and are practicing here in the clinic and diagnostic center of health checkups in Patna. You can simply fix an online appointment with doctors, and have a one-to-one conversation. We are also open for long-distance packages for families who stay abroad and their parents are in India. To get smooth and effective treatment, consult GoodDeed, a clinic for full body checkup in Patna.

How often should my cholesterol levels be tested? 

If you are not diagnosed with cholesterol levels before then you should have a test done every four to five years. And in case you have started your treatment to manage cholesterol you should check your levels every 5 to 10 weeks. 

What are the side effects of cholesterol drug treatment?

The common side-effects shown after consuming cholesterol medications are memory loss, confusion, muscle pain, vomiting, dizziness, headache, and nausea.