High cholesterol levels do not show symptoms and can only be known through a blood test. If cholesterol levels are above 240 mg / dL, it is included in high levels and must be lowered immediately before causing complications.
If not immediately lowered, high cholesterol levels can only be known when these complications arise. Heart attack or stroke are two major diseases that often occur due to high cholesterol levels.
High cholesterol will form plaques in blood vessels and arteries. The plaque can narrow it down so that less blood passes and can even clog until blood can't flow.
Here are the factors that have a high risk of cholesterol levels:
- Have a bad diet, like eating processed or fast food often containing lots of saturated fat and trans fats. High cholesterol foods such as red meat and high fat dairy products can increase your total cholesterol levels.
- If you are obese or have a body mass index at 30 or more, you can have a high risk of cholesterol.
- Wide waist circumference, which is approximately 102 centimeters in men or 89 centimeters in women.
- Lack of exercise, because exercise can encourage High-density lipoprotein (HDL) or 'good' cholesterol and reduce 'bad' cholesterol so that it is not too dangerous.
- Smoking is the biggest risk factor because it can damage blood vessel walls and make them more likely to accumulate fat deposits. Smoking can also reduce HDL cholesterol or 'good' cholesterol.
- In people who have diabetes or high blood sugar levels usually also have high cholesterol levels, and risk damaging the arterial wall.
- People who have high blood pressure or hypertension.
- There is a family history of heart disease or heart attack.