Medical Information Blog

Cholesterol is a type of fat (lipid) that is synthesized in the body. It is essential for good health and is in all body cells. However, a high level of blood cholesterol (hypercholesterolaemia) is associated with an increased risk for heart disease and stroke. Seven out of ten people over 45 have high cholesterol.

Why is high cholesterol a problem?
The most serious consequence associated with high cholesterol is cardiovascular disease (CVD). This includes diseases of the heart and blood vessels. High cholesterol causes a narrowing of blood vessels with fatty deposits called atherosclerotic plaques. This can lead to heart attacks, strokes and blood vessel disease throughout the body.

What increases cholesterol levels?
Several factors may contribute to increased blood cholesterol:
* A diet rich in saturated fats and to a lesser degree, rich in cholesterol (see below how diet affects cholesterol)
* Lack of exercise can increase LDL or “bad” cholesterol and decrease HDL or “good cholesterol”
* Family history – people are at increased risk of high cholesterol show if a direct male relative younger than 55 years, or a direct female relative under age 65 suffer heart disease.
* Being overweight, which can increase LDL or “bad” cholesterol and decrease HDL or “good cholesterol”
* The age and sex – cholesterol generally rises slightly with age, and men are likely to be affected to a greater extent than women.
* Drinking more alcohol than the recommended (ie, in the case of man who takes more than three or four units a day and in the case of women who drink two to three units per day)

In rare cases, cholesterol levels may rise due to a condition known as familial lipid disorder (familial hypercholesterolemia). Approximately 1 in 500 people suffer from this condition.

Other conditions such as poorly controlled diabetes, certain kidney and liver diseases and an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) may also cause a rise in cholesterol levels. Some medications such as beta blockers, steroids or thiazides (a type of diuretic) may also affect blood lipid levels.

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