“How can high cholesterol affect my heart health?”
I have high cholesterol levels. How can high cholesterol affect my heart health?
2 Answers
High cholesterol can impact your heart health by contributing to the development of atherosclerosis, a condition where plaque builds up in your arteries. This can be caused by plaque buildup, lead to an increased risk of a heart attack, or general heart disease.
Cholesterol, particularly LDL cholesterol (often called "bad" cholesterol), can accumulate in the walls of your arteries. Over time, this plaque can harden and narrow the arteries, reducing blood flow to your heart.
If a plaque ruptures, a blood clot can form, blocking blood flow to your heart muscle. This can lead to a heart attack.
High cholesterol is a major risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD), a condition where the arteries that supply blood to your heart become narrowed or blocked. CAD can lead to chest pain (angina), heart attack, and even heart failure.
It’s critical that you regularly check your cholesterol level to be able to detect any fatal changes sooner than later. If you have an increased risk of high cholesterol in your family, or have had high cholesterol in the past, it’s especially important to make sure that it’s regulated.
Cholesterol, particularly LDL cholesterol (often called "bad" cholesterol), can accumulate in the walls of your arteries. Over time, this plaque can harden and narrow the arteries, reducing blood flow to your heart.
If a plaque ruptures, a blood clot can form, blocking blood flow to your heart muscle. This can lead to a heart attack.
High cholesterol is a major risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD), a condition where the arteries that supply blood to your heart become narrowed or blocked. CAD can lead to chest pain (angina), heart attack, and even heart failure.
It’s critical that you regularly check your cholesterol level to be able to detect any fatal changes sooner than later. If you have an increased risk of high cholesterol in your family, or have had high cholesterol in the past, it’s especially important to make sure that it’s regulated.
Elevated cholesterol, particularly elevated LDL cholesterol, can lead to atherosclerosis (plaque deposition in the arteries) which can lead to heart attack, stroke or claudication depending on which arteries are most affected. Controlling your cholesterol, along with aerobic exercise, blood sugar control, blood pressure control, avoiding nicotine products and maintaining a healthy weight are all part of a heart healthy lifestyle to reduce those risks.
