Cholesterol and Heart Disease: Is There a Connection?

When you have too much cholesterol in your blood, you are likely to have a heart attack or stroke. As per Dr. Sujay Shad, the Best Cardiac Surgeon in Delhi, at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, ‘Keeping your blood cholesterol at a healthy stage can help reduce the risk of developing heart disease and other problems.’ In this blog learn more about the connection between cholesterol and heart attack with Dr. Sujay Shad and why one must have a check on their cholesterol levels.

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance present in the blood. It helps the human body to make new cells, vitamin D, produce hormones, and insulate nerves. The liver produces all the cholesterol that the body needs. However, cholesterol also enters the body through the food we consume such as animal food like milk, meats, and eggs. Too much cholesterol in the body can be a risk factor for heart problems.

 

How can high cholesterol cause heart disease?

High cholesterol builds up on the walls of the blood vessels or arteries and increases the risk of heart disease. This condition is also termed atherosclerosis. It leads the arteries to narrow and slows down or blocks the blood flow to the heart muscles through arteries.

Blood carries oxygen to the heart, if sufficient blood and oxygen do not reach the heart, brain, and other body parts it may result in chest pain. And if the blood flow stops entirely due to the blockage to the heart and brain, it will result in a heart attack or stroke.

 

Types of cholesterol: There are two types of cholesterol present in the human body: One is low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL).

• LDL builds up most cholesterol and is bad cholesterol because it can adhere to the walls of the arteries and allow plaque formation. Too much plaque formation causes blockages that slow down proper blood flow to the heart.

• HDL is a good cholesterol because it carries LDL away from the arteries and back to the liver. In the liver, LDL gets broken down and then excreted.

Our blood also has a third type of fat called triglycerides, found in fat cells.

Triglyceride also contributes to narrowed arteries. High triglyceride levels occur due to excess weight, having a lot of sugary and fatty foods, and heavy alcohol drinking.

High triglycerides along with reduced HDL and Increased LDL can increase the chances of fatty acid formation in the arteries and a higher risk of heart disease.

 

Signs and Symptoms of High Cholesterol Level:

High cholesterol usually does not show obvious symptoms however, it can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. It is usually a risk factor which means it can happen without any prior indication until it gets serious. So, it is important to have your cholesterol level checked to determine the cholesterol numbers.

Reducing cholesterol levels which are too high reduces your chances of developing heart disease. It decreases the risk of heart attack or life-threatening conditions due to heart disease.

 

What happens in a Heart attack?

A heart attack is a medical condition that needs emergency medical attention.  A heart attack happens when an artery causing blood flow to the heart becomes completely blocked due to blood clots and fails the blood supply. Part joined with the heart muscle immediately dies. However, if it gets immediate medical care, the blockage can be removed.

The signs of heart attack may be:

• A crusting pain in the chest

• Sweating

• Shortness of breath

• Feeling being sick

• A sudden feeling of anxiety

 

Factors that cause high cholesterol:

Several risk factors cause high cholesterol:

• Age

• Smoking

• Lack of physical activity

• Obesity or overweight

• Family history

• Unhealthy diet

 

Cholesterol numbers you should look for:

Some cardiologists or heart specialists recommend that everybody over the age of 20 have their cholesterol levels checked at least every 5 years. Top Heart Surgeon in Delhi, Dr. Sujay Shad, recommends a lipoprotein profile test which is a blood test that includes:

• Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)

• High-density lipoprotein (HDL)

• Total cholesterol level

• Triglycerides

 

How can you reduce the risk of heart disease?

Several ways help lower high cholesterol, such as staying active and eating or limiting certain foods.

• Being physically active can help increase HDL levels and lower triglycerides. Regular exercise and physical activity will help control cholesterol levels.

• Following a heart-healthy eating habit such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, healthy protein, and unflavored milk over time will help reduce cholesterol. Also make healthy fat choices such as avocados, olive oils, nuts, seeds, and their oils for cooking. 

• Use herbs and spices to flavor instead of salt. Consuming foods that consist of plant sterols can also help lower high cholesterol.

• The doctor may recommend medication to lower the cholesterol and to reduce the risk of heart attack.

No matter what the reason, lifestyle modifications, and diet modifications can help reduce the risk of heart disease. Cholesterol levels differ depending on the factors such as age, family history, and gender so, consult with the best cardiac surgeon in Delhi, at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital to know the right levels for you.