Elevated Cholesterol Levels: Signs, Root Causes, and Remedies
High cholesterol levels often go unnoticed as they seldom cause symptoms, and individuals are usually unaware of their high levels until they get their results from a cholesterol screening. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about half of people in the United States have high cholesterol, making regular screenings important.
Beyond unhealthy diet and lifestyle choices, common causes of high cholesterol include several health conditions, genetic factors, and other daily habits.
Medical conditions such as chronic kidney disease, thyroid disease (hypothyroidism), diabetes, lupus, and metabolic syndrome can disrupt how the body produces and processes cholesterol, leading to elevated levels.
Genetic factors like familial hypercholesterolemia, an inherited disorder, cause the liver to produce too much cholesterol or impair cholesterol removal from the blood, significantly raising cholesterol regardless of lifestyle.
Stress and hormonal changes can trigger increases in cholesterol levels. Elevated stress hormones (like cortisol) promote inflammation and raise "bad" LDL cholesterol while reducing "good" HDL cholesterol.
Certain medications may unintentionally increase cholesterol as a side effect.
Poor sleep patterns affect hormonal balance and metabolic health, leading to higher LDL cholesterol and lower HDL cholesterol.
Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and obesity, though lifestyle-related, act through complex biological pathways and are also common contributors beyond just an unhealthy diet.
Managing cholesterol often requires addressing these broader causes in addition to improving diet and physical activity. Regular exercise, at least 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity, can lower total cholesterol and blood pressure.
A heart-healthy diet, which includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, fish, poultry, low-fat dairy products, and nontropical vegetable oils, is recommended to lower cholesterol. Saturated and trans fats, present in various food sources such as fatty meats and packaged foods, should be avoided to lower cholesterol.
The optimal levels of LDL cholesterol are less than 100 milligrams/deciliter (mg/dl), while HDL cholesterol levels should ideally be 60 mg/dl or higher. Doctors will categorize a person's total cholesterol according to certain ranges, with less than 200 mg/dl being desirable, 200-239 mg/dl being borderline high, and 240 mg/dl and above being high.
High levels of cholesterol can lead to health problems, including atherosclerosis, heart attack, stroke, chest pain, and reduced blood flow to the legs and feet. Abnormal cholesterol levels may be caused by various factors, including genetics, diet, lack of exercise, smoking, and certain medical conditions such as diabetes and hypothyroidism.
Statins, drugs that reduce the liver's production of LDL cholesterol and increase its ability to remove this substance, are prescribed to lower cholesterol. Certain medications, such as chemotherapy drugs for cancer and beta-blockers for reducing high blood pressure, can increase levels of LDL cholesterol or decrease levels of HDL cholesterol. Doctors may prescribe medications to help lower cholesterol levels, in addition to lifestyle changes such as a heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, and quitting smoking.
References:
- American Heart Association. (2019). Understanding Cholesterol. Retrieved from https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/understanding-cholesterol
- Mayo Clinic. (2021). High cholesterol: Symptoms and causes. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/symptoms-causes/syc-20369215
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2021). What is cholesterol? Retrieved from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/what-is-cholesterol
- WebMD. (2021). High Cholesterol: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/guide/high-cholesterol-symptoms-causes-treatments
- World Health Organization. (2021). Fact sheet: Cholesterol. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cholesterol
Seekers of better health and wellness should be aware that high cholesterol levels can often go unnoticed, and common causes include not only unhealthy diet and lifestyle choices, but also medical conditions such as chronic kidney disease, thyroid disease, diabetes, lupus, metabolic syndrome, and genetic factors like familial hypercholesterolemia. Stress, hormonal changes, certain medications, and poor sleep patterns can also contribute to elevated cholesterol levels. In addition to addressing these causative factors, efforts to manage cholesterol should focus on improving diet and fitness-and-exercise, with a heart-healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, fish, poultry, low-fat dairy products, and nontropical vegetable oils, while avoiding saturated and trans fats. Regular exercise, at least 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity, can also lower total cholesterol and blood pressure. Mental health, such as managing stress, can play a role in maintaining cardiovascular health, as well as appropriate nutrition and addressing any underlying medical conditions. Doctors may prescribe statins or other medications to help lower cholesterol levels, in addition to lifestyle changes.
