High cholesterol: symptoms, causes, risks and how to lower it

High cholesterol, also called hypercholesterolemia, is when there are high concentrations of this substance in the blood, which can cause symptoms such as a swollen and sensitive belly, and little balls of fat on the skin.

Cholesterol is an important type of fat for maintaining health and is made up of fractions such as LDL, HDL and VLDL. HDL, known as “good” cholesterol, helps eliminate “bad” cholesterol from the blood, preventing heart disease. LDL, known as “bad” cholesterol, is related to the risk of diseases such as atherosclerosis, high blood pressure and heart attack.

Read too: Cholesterol: what it is, types, values ​​(and how to lower it)
In cases of changes in the cholesterol test, the general practitioner or cardiologist may recommend changes in lifestyle, such as regular physical exercise, healthy eating and, in some cases, may recommend the use of medication.

Main symptoms

The main symptoms of high cholesterol are:

• Fat balls in the eyes, known as xanthelasma;
• Hard nodules on the Achilles tendons, hands or elbows, known as tendon xanthoma;
• Formation of a gray ring around the iris of the eyes, called the senile arch;
• Increased sensitivity in the belly;
• Swollen belly.

High cholesterol does not cause symptoms most of the time. However, excess cholesterol in the blood can lead to the accumulation of fat in the liver, causing symptoms.

How to confirm the diagnosis

The diagnosis of high cholesterol must be made by a general practitioner or cardiologist, through a physical examination, the symptoms presented and the person’s family and health history.

To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor also requests a lipid profile, which is a blood test that assesses the amount of LDL, HDL, VLDL, triglycerides and total cholesterol. Learn more about the lipid profile.

If you want to assess your risk of high cholesterol, make an appointment with the cardiologist closest to you:

In general, cholesterol is considered above normal limits when the total cholesterol value is equal to or greater than 190 mg/dL, LDL cholesterol levels are above 130 mg/dL, and/or when VLDL cholesterol is above of 30 mg/dL.

However, normal values ​​for total cholesterol and its fractions (HDL, LDL, VLDL) depend on each person’s cardiovascular risk. See how to understand cholesterol values.

How to know if your cholesterol is high

To find out if your cholesterol is high, enter your test results into the calculator below:

Possible causes

Possible causes of high cholesterol are:

• Food rich in saturated fats;
• Sedentary lifestyle;
• Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages;
• Hypothyroidism;
• Familial hypercholesterolemia;
• Decompensated diabetes.

Furthermore, an increase in cholesterol can also occur as a result of the use of medications, such as birth control pills, diuretics and some antidepressants. Learn about other causes of high cholesterol.

How to lower cholesterol levels

To lower cholesterol levels, it is recommended to maintain a healthy diet, do physical activities and, in some cases, the doctor may recommend the use of medication.

1. Healthy eating

It is recommended to maintain a healthy diet, prioritizing the consumption of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, as they are foods rich in fiber and antioxidants that help lower blood cholesterol levels. Check out more foods that help lower cholesterol.

However, you should avoid eating foods rich in saturated fat and sugar, such as fast food, ice cream, pizza, French fries and cakes. This is because these foods favor the accumulation of fat in the blood vessels. See what a diet to lower cholesterol should be like.

2. Physical activities

To lower cholesterol, it is essential to practice physical activity at least 3 times a week, such as running, swimming, dancing, calisthenics and weight training.

Physical exercise promotes the loss or maintenance of adequate weight, in addition to helping to increase HDL cholesterol levels and reduce LDL cholesterol in the blood, reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

3. Home remedies

Some home remedies, such as turmeric, artichoke tea, dandelion tea and green tea, have antioxidant and lipid-lowering effects, and therefore can also be recommended by your doctor to help lower cholesterol. Discover other teas recommended for lowering cholesterol.

4. Medications

When cholesterol levels do not improve with lifestyle changes, the cardiologist may recommend the use of some medications that reduce cholesterol or reduce its absorption, such as simvastatin, atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, pitavastatin. See a list of medicines recommended to lower cholesterol.

Main risks of high cholesterol

When left untreated, high cholesterol can increase a person’s risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, such as:

• Atherosclerosis;
• Coronary artery disease;
• Angina;
• Heart attack;
• High pressure;
• AVC;
• Cardiac insufficiency;
• Peripheral arterial disease;
• Vascular dementia.

Furthermore, the small atheroma plaques present in the blood vessels can also eventually break off and cause thrombosis.

Can high cholesterol kill you?

High cholesterol can kill, because this condition is one of the main risk factors for the development of serious diseases, such as heart attack, heart failure and stroke.