High blood cholesterol can be called one of the most common problems in the modern world. High cholesterol is especially common in men, as they are more likely to develop bad habits and consume more fatty and fried foods.

Smoking, alcoholic drinks, a sedentary lifestyle, constant stress - this and much more negatively affects a man’s health. Problems with high cholesterol in men began to make themselves felt more and more often from the age of 35.

Clogged blood vessels with cholesterol

To avoid becoming a victim of a stroke or heart attack, it is recommended to regularly donate blood for low-density lipoprotein levels. Under such a long name, the well-known “bad” cholesterol is hidden. Many people have heard that there are “good” and “bad” cholesterol, but not everyone knows what the differences between them are.

What is cholesterol?

First of all, it is a fat-like substance, a lipid, which performs many functions at the cellular level. Without this substance, the body could not exist, since it is involved in the formation of membranes. In other words, cholesterol allows cells to function normally.

There are two types of cholesterol. “Good” is part of high-density lipoproteins (HDL), which perform vital tasks and fight “bad” cholesterol. When LDL levels are elevated, HDL carries excess cholesterol to the liver, and over time it is eliminated from the body.

LDL carries cholesterol in blood vessels, and if there is too much of it, the excess settles on the walls. In places where cholesterol plaques accumulate, the vessel narrows, which impedes normal blood flow. The consequences of this process are unfavorable for the body. If you do not start the fight against elevated levels of low-density lipids in time, there is a risk of myocardial infarction and stroke.

You only need to fight “bad” cholesterol, so men over 35 years old should have a blood test for LDL and HDL at least once a year.

Reasons for the increase or what to pay attention to?

Why does cholesterol accumulate more in men? There are many reasons that lead to clogging of blood vessels with cholesterol, but not everyone knows about them. The male sex often learns about this pathology already when the body is in critical condition. The amount of this blood indicator should be monitored from the age of 35. Men over 40 years of age are at risk for atherosclerosis.

Important! Atherosclerosis is a disease of the vascular system, which is accompanied by the deposition of cholesterol on the walls of blood vessels. Without treatment, it leads to the formation of blood clots, myocardial infarction, and stroke.

Causes of high cholesterol:

• obesity;
• hereditary predisposition to atherosclerosis;
• arterial hypertension;
• smoking;
• diabetes mellitus;
• insufficient consumption of vegetables and fruits;
• age over 40 years;
• cardiovascular diseases;
• inactive lifestyle (risk group – drivers, office workers);
• abuse of fatty, sweet, fried and salty foods, alcoholism.

High cholesterol in men began to be diagnosed at the age of 35. Previously, age-related risks were noticed after the age of 40 years.

Signs of high cholesterol

We have found out why “bad” cholesterol increases, but not everyone knows what symptoms accompany this condition.

Symptoms of hypercholesterolemia

Symptoms of high cholesterol in men and concomitant atherosclerosis:

1. yellow spots in the eye area (xanthomas);
2. angina pectoris (rapid heartbeat, dizziness, severe weakness, increased sweating, surges in blood pressure);
3. heart failure;
4. rupture of blood vessels;
5. bleeding.

It is often possible to diagnose high cholesterol only after the patient has been admitted to the hospital with a heart attack or stroke. Lack of prevention, unhealthy lifestyle, refusal to take tests during medical examinations - all this affects the future of patients.

What are the dangers of an elevated LDL level?

Even if people know what affects blood cholesterol levels, unfortunately, they do not always decide to make drastic lifestyle changes. Few return to a healthy lifestyle, quit smoking or drinking alcohol.

Advice! To more clearly imagine the prospects of life with atherosclerosis, just look at people who have suffered from paralysis of the limbs for several years. This is the most common complication after a stroke.

Stroke survivors experience loss of sensation and movement in one side of the body for some time. In severe cases, a person may stop speaking and walking. If first aid after a stroke is provided on time, then the person gets a chance to return to a healthy lifestyle.

Unhealthy blood vessels become the root cause of heart attacks and angina.

Attack of myocardial infarction

Myocardial infarction is getting younger. This is exactly what modern cardiologists say, since now more and more often men aged 40-45 years are becoming victims of heart attacks. Returning to a normal lifestyle after a heart attack is a difficult task, which is only possible after timely medical care and appropriate treatment.

The causes and treatment of high cholesterol are closely related, so it is important to know what methods can be used to lower this indicator.

What foods to eat to reduce LDL in the blood?

Often the amount of cholesterol increases due to eating unhealthy foods. For men, it is important to know the list of products that can reduce this indicator:

• sesame seeds;
• pine nuts;
• sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds;
• almond;
• flaxseeds and oil;
• olive oil;
• avocado;
• green;
• red fish;
• sardines;
• red caviar;
• pomegranate;
• red grapes;
• cowberry;
• blueberry;
• raspberry;
• strawberry;
• green tea.

It is worth noting that excessive coffee consumption is a common cause of high cholesterol. The risk of atherosclerosis especially increases in men who drink more than 2 cups per day. It's better to give up coffee completely. Doctors recommend replacing it with green or herbal tea. It cleanses blood vessels and promotes rejuvenation of the body. Drinking green tea daily can reduce bad cholesterol by 15%.

What drugs lower cholesterol?

A number of medications have been developed that can lower LDL in a man’s blood, but this does not mean that they can be prescribed to oneself. Only the attending physician can prescribe the following types of drugs:

• Traikor;
• Lipantil 200M (especially effective for patients with diabetes);
• Atomax;
• Tulip;
• Atorvastatin;
• Owencore;
• Simvastatin;
• Simgal et al.

Important! The duration of use and dosage of the drug are prescribed only by the attending physician. Self-medication can worsen the condition. To monitor cholesterol levels, it is worth taking regular blood tests.

Treat high cholesterol with exercise!

If the patient’s condition is not yet so severe, then the prescription of tablets to lower the indicators can be postponed. Sometimes it is enough to reconsider the pace of life and diet. What to do in this case?

Healthy lifestyle

In addition to returning to proper nutrition, you need to increase the amount of physical activity whenever possible.

1. start every morning with 10 minutes of exercise;
2. drink at least 2 liters of water throughout the day;
3. drink water 20 minutes before each meal;
4. moderate alcohol consumption;
5. stop smoking;
6. conduct an hour-long workout 2-3 times a week;
7. walk every day for at least an hour in the fresh air;
8. If possible, conduct intensive training, which will be based on running, dancing, swimming;
9. end each workout with muscle relaxation;
10. During physical activity, increase drinking water.

It is important for beginners to remember that at first they should not squeeze Spartan standards out of their unprepared body. The load must be added gradually. The ideal option for people who have heart disease is simply brisk walking. The pulse should not increase by more than 15 beats above normal.

How to take the test correctly?

When a person knows the dangers of high cholesterol, he does not need to be forced to undergo preventive examinations with doctors again. In order for the analysis to show a true result, it is worth knowing several rules for donating blood for LDL and HDL:

• It is better to take blood samples in the morning;
• You cannot eat 12 hours before taking the test (it is better to take the material on an empty stomach);
• a few days before the test day, you should completely give up alcoholic beverages;
• on the day of delivery, it is better to quit smoking, at least not smoking 1-2 hours before the procedure
• minimize the amount of stress;
• Refuse the day before blood sampling from heavy physical labor or exercise in the gym, consumption of fatty, salty, fried foods.

These are the main tips that you should follow so that the indicator does not increase.

Cholesterol norm for men

Often, in the tests that a patient needs to take, the “total cholesterol” indicator is indicated. This is a complex value that includes both high-density lipids and low-density lipids. To consider the results in detail, the analysis must separately clarify the amount of LDL and HDL. Any decreases or increases are recorded in the patient’s analysis table.

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that tends to accumulate in the body with age. Therefore, the norm of this lipid is calculated for each age. In addition, the rates differ significantly for men and women.

Norms of total cholesterol for males:

• up to 20 years – 2.91 – 5.10 mmol/l,
• up to 30 – 3.44 – 6.32 mmol/l,
• up to 35 – 3.57 – 6.58 mmol/l,
• up to 40 – 3.63 – 6.99 mmol/l,
• up to 50 – 4.09 – 7.15 mmol/l,
• up to 60 – 4.04 – 7.15 mmol/l,
• over 65 – 4.09 – 7.10 mmol/l.

All this means that the amount of this substance increases with age. If a person monitors his health, then it will still not be possible to avoid this process, since metabolic processes slow down with age.

Often doctors, when testing a patient’s blood, compare the result obtained with the general acceptable standards. The amount of total cholesterol should not exceed 3.6 -7.8 mmol/l. If the patient is young, then the critical upper limit can be considered 6.4 mmol/l.

Thanks to various promotions of healthy eating, it is a well-known fact that cholesterol is the main threatening factor for the development of such a dangerous disease as atherosclerosis. However, how much truth is there in this phrase from a medical point of view? Let's try to figure this out.

Introduction

So, atherosclerosis is a serious disease of the cardiovascular system, affecting almost 100% of the population by the age of 50 (for men) - 60 (for women) years. It develops gradually and is dangerous to human life not so much by its presence as by the complications that arise against its background. And the elevated cholesterol level in the blood, which is found in all patients with this disease, is not its cause at all. The fact is that all pathological changes in the vessels fundamentally cannot develop if they are initially healthy. And if a person has been diagnosed with arterial hypertension or diabetes mellitus for a long time, if the patient abuses smoking or alcohol, leads a sedentary lifestyle or is obese, then, based on existing disorders of the vascular wall, all the changes characteristic of atherosclerosis will gradually begin to occur. And if initially the cholesterol in the blood is elevated, then only all this together will cause the development of the disease.

Risk factors

In addition to those already mentioned, there are other risk factors for atherosclerosis. First of all, this is the gender and age category of patients. It has been scientifically proven that atherosclerosis more often affects men, especially over the age of 50-55, and less often in women, over 60-65. This is explained by the different amounts of production of estrogens, female sex hormones, which are present in both sexes, but are significantly more prevalent, of course, in women. The effect of these biologically active substances is manifested in the utilization of all excess lipids and cholesterol from the bloodstream into the fat depot and liver with the help of special transporters - high-density lipoproteins. By the way, their formation is also increased under the influence of estrogens, which causes a later development of the disease in women. However, after menopause, the amount of hormones begins to decrease, and then women will be susceptible to atherosclerosis on a par with men, especially if cholesterol in the blood is initially high. But this may already be associated with nutritional deficiencies, that is, consumption of fatty meat, fried, high-calorie foods.

Pathomorphology of atherosclerosis

So, what kind of changes occur in the blood vessels that ultimately lead to signs of high cholesterol in the blood? And the answer is not so complicated. The fact is that normally the wall of the arteries is smooth, shiny, easily stretchable due to the muscle layer and elastic fibers, and under the influence of special factors it can either expand or contract.

And if it was initially damaged under the influence of the above atherogenic factors (smoking, alcohol, diabetes, hypertension, old age), then it begins to become saturated with fats in the bloodstream. This is how the first stage develops - lipid stripes and spots.

Stages of development

Then the condition worsens, and total cholesterol in the blood becomes elevated. The whole point is that the number of those transporters that normally carry it into the wall of blood vessels is increasing - the so-called. low and very low density lipoproteins. And gradually the arteries become increasingly saturated with fat and cholesterol, until these spots begin to protrude above the surface of the wall, i.e. An atherosclerotic plaque is formed, which gradually increases in size, becomes covered with a fibrin cap and thereby stabilizes. However, if at this stage a person continues to harm his health, then this calm plaque begins to be damaged. It ulcerates, the lid can come off completely, and the same pathological changes occur in other parts of the vessel wall.

Outcome of the disease

Cholesterol in the blood is increased significantly, its transporters only have time to remove it into the tissues, and the liver cannot cope with its excess. Due to all these damages, the vessels lose their elasticity, become more sensitive to vasoconstrictors (factors that narrow them), arterial hypertension increases, and the main “pump” begins to suffer. Atherosclerosis also damages vessels of ever smaller caliber, the most important of which are the coronary arteries (the heart’s own arteries) and the brain. Plaques that block blood flow and narrow the lumen of the arteries continue to grow, and ultimately severe organ ischemia occurs. The most threatening conditions against this background are myocardial infarction and

At any stage of development of atherosclerosis, stabilization of the condition and prevention of the development of dangerous complications primarily depend on the patient’s consciousness. If cholesterol in the blood had not initially been elevated, if the patient had not aggravated his condition by abusing toxic substances, tobacco and alcohol, had led an active lifestyle and brought his weight at least a little closer to normal, then the progression of this life-threatening disease would have stopped. Therefore, the doctor should first of all recommend that the patient adjust his diet and diet, engage in physical exercise whenever possible, and spend his weekends in nature, and not on the couch in front of the TV. Stop smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages, consume more vegetables, fruits, natural juices, meat, and cook food mainly by steaming or boiling. Thus, it is necessary to eliminate the causes of high cholesterol in the blood by all means, and then treat the existing underlying disease. As a last resort, special drugs are used to stabilize its concentration - statins.

The main reason is poor nutrition

Now let's look at the blood. The main reason for this is, of course, poor human nutrition, due to which this substance, necessary for the synthesis of many hormones and the formation of the cell membrane, is not utilized correctly and circulates in the blood as part of its transporters. And, most importantly, it is there in excess quantities. Thus, foods that increase cholesterol in the blood are isolated. First of all, these are, of course, fatty meats - beef and pork. Moreover, it should be remembered that even in their fillet there is enough cholesterol hidden. Next, this is poultry meat - geese, ducks, turkeys.

Other products

Thirdly, these are eggs, mayonnaise prepared on their basis and high-calorie dairy products - butter, sour cream (especially homemade), cheese, full-fat yogurt. However, it should be remembered that cholesterol is concentrated in the yolk, but egg white is essential for humans, since it contains essential amino acids and is 100% digestible, so you can only eat the white part of the egg or limit the amount to one or two pieces per week. And the top of the list of unhealthy foods, not only in terms of atherogenic effects, are semi-finished products, industrial baked goods and fast food. Other foods that raise blood cholesterol are processed meats. That is, sausages, sausages, boiled pork, ham and other types of smoked meats.

What to do?

Of course, the main question that worries patients if their biochemical blood test reveals elevated cholesterol is: “What to do?” First, transfer it (the analysis) to your attending physician so that he can conduct other laboratory and instrumental studies to make your diagnosis and prescribe corrective treatment. However, it is in your power to greatly help him with this. Namely, to reduce this very high cholesterol. The therapeutic diet (table) No. 10c will tell you what to do with your diet in order to achieve normalization of indicators. It is indicated for all patients with coronary heart disease and hypertension caused by atherosclerotic vascular lesions.

Diet No. 10-C

Its goal is to prevent further development of the disease, namely: reduce excess weight, provide all energy needs without overloading the internal organs, improve metabolism and blood circulation of the heart and brain, so that heart attack and stroke are excluded. Because the treatment of high blood cholesterol largely depends on nutrition! First of all, it has a sharply reduced content of animal fats and those carbohydrates that are easily digestible. In addition, the amount of water and table salt consumed, and, of course, cholesterol is limited. And, on the contrary, the content of the most important microelements for the heart (potassium, magnesium), vitamins (B and C), and dietary fiber is increased. Food is mainly prepared using boiled and stewed methods. In addition, split, frequent meals are recommended - 4-5 meals per day.

Main part

In detail, with this diet, products made from baked goods or puff pastry, any broths (except vegetable, but not legumes), fatty meats and poultry, as well as canned food, sausages, smoked meats and brains are completely excluded from the patient’s diet, the same applies to salted or smoked fish and caviar, high-fat dairy products (cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, cream). In addition, it is very important not to consume chocolate, ice cream and confectionery with cream, mustard and pepper, fish, meat and mushroom sauces, strong coffee, tea or cocoa. On the contrary, the following are recommended: soups (with milk or vegetable broth), boiled or baked dishes from lean meats, fish and poultry, similar types of cheese, cottage cheese or sour cream, cereals (buckwheat, oatmeal, millet, barley), cabbage is very welcome in any form, as well as zucchini, eggplant, pumpkin, potatoes or green peas.

Snacks and desserts

Salads are recommended with oil dressing: vinaigrettes, seaweed, seafood. And in their raw form it is better to eat lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes and greens, various fruits, except those that contain excess glucose. Among the drinks, the most welcome are compotes made from dried fruits, as well as fresh juices. Of course, it is extremely difficult to switch to a diet so suddenly, but deviations from it and errors can dramatically worsen the patient’s health. Therefore, in order to still stop the blood flow and adhere to a therapeutic diet, there are several simple techniques.

Special Moves

Firstly, you should remove from your eyes all those foods that are strictly prohibited in the diet. It's even better if you stop buying them. The fewer of them in the refrigerator, the less risk of eating them. Secondly, learn how to go to the grocery store properly. Always make a list at home and strictly follow it, and in the supermarket try to stay close to the walls, since all processed products are usually located in the center: sausages, canned food, fast food, etc. And when you buy something, first of all carefully read the composition and calorie content. Also, every time you go to the store, be sure to buy those vegetables or fruits that you have not bought for a long time, and eat them fresh at home or prepare healthy dishes from them. Try to switch from the usual animal fats to those found in sea fish, nuts and olive oil. Not only will they not harm your diet, but, on the contrary, they will lower the level of cholesterol in your blood due to their structure. Never exclude meat from your diet. It is vital, just learn to choose it correctly. Give preference to lean poultry (chicken, turkey) and lean beef or rabbit. Prepare dishes from sea fish more often, bake it in the oven, steam it with vegetables, add it to salads and snacks. Have a snack at work, not just a fresh banana or a couple of apples, this will better fill you up and charge you with energy and vitamins before a full lunch. It is advisable to write down everything you eat during the day in a special notebook, since losing excess weight is the first and most important step to keeping your body healthy!

For normal functioning, cholesterol must be present in the body. This natural fatty alcohol, an organic substance, fills the outer layer of all cells in the human body.

Cholesterol plays an important role in metabolism. Without it, sex hormones, in particular testosterone, would not be produced.

Cholesterol, in conjunction with transporter proteins, is carried through blood vessels to all corners of the body.

But its usefulness has a quantitative limitation. Excess cholesterol is a serious threat to human health and even life. Therefore, it is necessary to keep its level under control and prevent the substance from growing above the established norm.

What does high cholesterol mean?

The cholesterol level is calculated by experts. If it is exceeded by more than a third, then the amount of cholesterol is at a health-threatening level.

But not all cholesterol is dangerous, but only that part of it, which is called low-density lipoproteins (LDL).

LDL is called “bad” because it has the bad ability to accumulate on the walls of blood vessels. After a certain time, atherosclerotic plaques form on them.

A blood clot may gradually appear inside the vessel. It consists of platelets and blood proteins. The clot makes the blood flow narrower and prevents the free movement of life-giving fluid. A piece may come off from it, which, together with the blood flow, will reach the place where the vessel is narrowed. There it will get stuck, completely disrupting blood circulation. As a result, certain internal organs will certainly suffer.

Most often, such blockage threatens the arteries of the intestines and lower extremities, kidneys and spleen. Stroke and myocardial infarction are also possible.

That is why it is important to prevent an increase in the level of “bad” cholesterol in the blood.

Why does cholesterol increase? Reasons

Elevated cholesterol levels may be due to the following reasons:

• Genetic diseases, which include:
  • familial hypercholesterolemia;
  • hereditary dysbetalipoproteinemia;
  • combined hyperlipidemia.
• Kidney pathologies, manifested as:
  • nephroptosis;
  • renal failure;
  • glomerulonephritis.
• Hypertension.
• Diabetes mellitus.
• Liver diseases such as hepatitis or cirrhosis.
• Hypothyroidism.
• Pathologies of the pancreas in the form of:
  • acute and chronic pancreatitis;
  • neoplasms.
• Chronic lung diseases.
• Insufficient production of growth hormone.
• Age-related diseases that begin to appear after fifty years.

This list can be continued. But cholesterol increases not only due to diseases. Not the least role belongs to the way of life, namely its components:

• Structure of the daily menu. If its composition is dominated by fatty, fried and smoked foods, cholesterol will sooner or later rise. Constant overeating will lead to the same result.
• A static lifestyle, lack of movement, sedentary work, lack of physical activity - these factors are decisive in increasing cholesterol and the development of atherosclerosis.
• Excess weight - it appears as a consequence of the two previous components. The likelihood of increased cholesterol in people suffering from varying degrees of obesity is high.
• Tobacco smoking and unhealthy addiction to strong drinks. Their excessive consumption gradually destroys the human body, all its organs and systems. Normal metabolism is disrupted, and emerging chronic diseases lead to increased cholesterol levels.

The growth may be caused by medications. Many of them negatively affect the lipid profile - they reduce good cholesterol and increase harmful (“bad”) cholesterol. This is how anabolic steroids, corticosteroids, and birth control pills can work.

Symptoms of high cholesterol

An increase in cholesterol levels does not have external signs for a long time, that is, it cannot be seen or felt.

The process happens slowly and completely unnoticeably. The first symptoms can only be felt when the artery is blocked by more than half. What exactly they will be depends on where “bad” cholesterol accumulates.

It is important to pay attention to the following symptoms:

• The appearance of pain and weakness in the legs even with short walking or light physical activity. Its cause is a decrease in the lumen of the vessels supplying blood to the tissues of the extremities. Lameness may develop.
• Compressive pain in the heart area - angina pectoris. It occurs because the coronary arteries of the heart narrow.
• A light gray rim appears along the edges of the cornea. If it is visible in a person who is under 50 years old, then this is a sign of a predisposition to high cholesterol.
• Skin neoplasms with fatty inclusions of a yellowish color appear in the eye area (eyelids).
• Shortness of breath and acute heart failure.
• Fainting, dizziness, mini-stroke.
• Colic and bloating, vomiting. Such symptoms appear if the formation of a blood clot occurs in the arteries supplying the gastrointestinal tract. This often leads to chronic intestinal ischemia, or abdominal toad.

When at least one of the listed symptoms is noticed, you should consult a doctor. After all, elevated cholesterol signals that serious pathological processes are occurring in the body.

How to lower cholesterol?

To normalize cholesterol levels, medical experts advise adjusting your daily routine.

I. First of all, this concerns nutrition.

There is no need to torture yourself with a low-fat, low-calorie diet. A person will not be able to endure hunger for a long time, even if he is threatened with a stroke or heart attack.

In your diet, you should adhere to the following recommendations:

• Reduce the amount of carbohydrates you consume, stay away from foods that contain a lot of them (white sugar, confectionery, pasta).
• Never overeat at night, but also eat to your fill.
• Limit consumption of animal fats. Avoid dishes made from pork, duck, sausages and sausages. You should also forget about butter.
• Increase the proportion of fatty fish and seafood in the menu. Sea kale is very useful. The trace elements it contains help thin blood clots and prevent the development of blood clots.
• Dairy products should contain a minimum of fat, meat - only lean.
• Legumes are another mandatory component of the diet. Beans, green peas, and lentils replenish the body with phospholipids, which are able to dissolve cholesterol and remove it from the body in time.
• Eat more fruits and vegetables, preferably fresh. Such foods help slow down the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines. It, like a sponge, absorbs bile substances, then they are excreted naturally.

In response to such efforts, the body will produce more “good” cholesterol.

II. Closely related to nutrition body weight. Making sure that it is normal is one of the conditions for normal cholesterol. After all, the fatter a person is, the more cholesterol the body produces. Research by Dutch scientists has shown that increasing weight by just half a kilogram increases cholesterol levels by two percent.

Bringing the level of harmful substances back to normal is another motivation for losing weight.

III. Will help you lose weight sports. They have a direct impact on how fat and cholesterol are used in the body. It is very useful and effective to do:

• walking;
• swimming;
• sports games: tennis, volleyball, basketball;
• cycling;
• run.

You need to start small and not overdo it.

IV. Helps improve health and lower cholesterol levels quitting smoking and drinking strong drinks.

Not everyone can achieve such lifestyle changes. Therefore, the last weapon that can lower cholesterol comes into play. These are statins and fibrates - drugs that reduce its production in the liver.

Medicines can block the enzyme that is involved in the production of cholesterol. As a result, its level in the blood declines and returns to normal.

But these medications should only be taken as prescribed by a doctor. The negative thing is that once you start drinking them, you can’t stop. Canceling the medication will return cholesterol levels to their original levels within a few days. It might even go up.

And the use of statins is fraught with side effects, including such an unwanted illness as severe depression.

Therefore, it is advisable to reduce cholesterol levels without resorting to medications.

Features of increased cholesterol in women, men and children

Cholesterol levels are affected by a person's age and gender.

Medical statistics indicate that most often the content of the substance increases in men who are over 35 years old. The decisive role here is played by addiction to smoking, excessive consumption of beer and stronger drinks.

Women are more resistant to pathological processes. Their cholesterol increases mainly after menopause. But this happens in the absence of various gastrointestinal pathologies.

A distinctive period is the time of bearing a child. During pregnancy, processes occur in the body that contribute to the growth of “bad” cholesterol. At the same time, the level of the “good” substance drops.

After menopause, most women have the same cholesterol levels as men of the same age.

In children, the substance is also observed to exceed the norm. In older age, this can lead to serious problems.

Even in childhood, the accumulation of plaque on the walls of the arteries can begin, and by the age of 13, real atherosclerotic plaques have already formed.

This is especially dangerous for those children whose parents suffer from heart disease and have high cholesterol.

Such kids should be under special control. After turning two years old, they all must take a test to determine the cholesterol level in their blood.

Parents need to remember that in children the following factors influence the level of the substance:

• nutrition;
• heredity;
• overweight.

If nothing can be done about heredity, then the parents are fully responsible for the remaining two factors.

Cholesterol is both our friend and enemy. In normal quantities, it is a necessary compound for the proper functioning of the body, but if the level of cholesterol in the blood rises, then it becomes a silent enemy to human health, increasing the risk.

In this article, we'll cover what cholesterol is, the causes and symptoms of high levels, and how the condition can be diagnosed. We will also consider possible treatment methods and measures that each person can take to reduce blood cholesterol levels.

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is found in every cell of the human body and has important functions. Replenishment of cholesterol reserves is carried out both externally, that is, with food, and through production in the body itself.

Cholesterol is an organic compound - a natural fatty (lipophilic) alcohol that does not dissolve in water and, accordingly, in the blood. Carried throughout the body by lipoproteins.

There are 2 types of lipoproteins:

• Low density lipoproteins (LDL, LDL) - the cholesterol carried by these lipoproteins is known as “bad” cholesterol.
• High density lipoproteins (HDL, HDL) tolerate so-called “good” cholesterol.

Cholesterol in the human body performs 4 main functions, without which a person could not exist:

• Part of the cell membrane.
• Serves as the basis for the production of bile acids in the intestines.
• Participates in the production.
• Provides the production of certain hormones: steroid sex hormones and corticosteroids.

Causes of high blood cholesterol

High cholesterol levels are a major risk factor for the development of myocardial infarction. Reducing the level of lipoproteins in the blood significantly reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.

High levels of LDL lead to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in the blood vessels, while HDL carries cholesterol to the liver for removal from the body. Plaque formation is part of a process that narrows the lumen of the arteries () and restricts blood flow.

High cholesterol levels are the result of modifiable, that is, modifiable, and non-modifiable risk factors. The two main risk factors, diet and physical activity, are highly modifiable, meaning it is possible to reduce the risk and reduce the likelihood high cholesterol.

Limiting your fat intake helps regulate cholesterol levels. In particular, it is necessary to limit the consumption of products that contain:

Meat, cheese and egg yolks are sources of cholesterol.

• Cholesterol from animal products, such as egg yolks, meat and cheese.
• Saturated fat - found in some meats, dairy products, chocolate, baked goods and deep-fried foods.
• Trans fats - found in some fried and processed foods.

Being overweight or obese can also lead to higher levels of LDL in the blood, so it's important to get enough time for physical activity.

The main causes of high cholesterol are genetic. High LDL levels are directly correlated with a family history of hypercholesterolemia.

Abnormal cholesterol levels may also have secondary causes:

• Liver or kidney diseases
• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• Pregnancy or other conditions that increase female hormone levels
• Low thyroid activity
• Drugs that increase LDL and lower HDL: progestins, anabolic steroids and corticosteroids.

Symptoms of high cholesterol

High cholesterol itself, apart from being a risk factor for other diseases, does not have any signs or symptoms. If elevated cholesterol levels go undetected during routine blood tests, then it poses a silent threat of heart attack and.

Diagnostics

High cholesterol can only be diagnosed through a blood test. Many experts recommend checking cholesterol levels every 5 years for all people over 20 years of age.

The cholesterol test is performed on an empty stomach; you should refrain from eating, drinking and taking medications 9-12 hours before the test. This will make your LDL cholesterol readings more accurate.

Below are various cholesterol levels, which help determine your individual risk of heart attack.

LDL cholesterol

• Optimal level: less than 100 mg/dL
• Close to optimal: 100-129 mg/dL
• Upper limit: 130-159 mg/dl
• High level: 160-189 mg/dL
• Very high level: 190 mg/dL or higher

Total cholesterol

• Desirable: less than 200 mg/dL
• Upper limit: 200 - 239 mg/dL
• High level: 240 mg/dL or higher

HDL cholesterol

• Low level: 40 mg/dL
• High Level: 60 mg/dL or higher

Currently, instead of prescribing numerous drugs to lower cholesterol levels, it is recommended to be guided by slightly different principles. Experts have identified 4 groups of patients who are likely to benefit from statin treatment to prevent primary and secondary cardiovascular disease:

1. People with atherosclerosis.
2. People with LDL cholesterol levels greater than 190 mg/dL and a family history of hypercholesterolemia.
3. People aged 40 to 75 years with diabetes and LDL cholesterol levels of 70-189 mg/dL without signs of atherosclerosis.
4. People without evidence of cardiovascular disease or diabetes but who have an LDL cholesterol level of 70-189 mg/dL and a 10-year risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease greater than 7.5%.

Treatment and prevention of high cholesterol

For all people with high cholesterol, including those on medication, 4 lifestyle changes are recommended. These measures will reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction:

1. Eat a heart-healthy diet. Avoid consuming foods high in saturated fat, eat more vegetables, fruits and fiber-rich foods.
2. Regular physical activity.
3. Quitting smoking.
4. Achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight.

Lipid-lowering therapy

Drug lipid-lowering therapy depends on the patient's individual cholesterol level and other risk factors. Statins are usually prescribed to people at increased risk of heart attack when positive lifestyle changes have not been effective.

Cholesterol-lowering drugs such as statins are recommended based on overall cardiovascular risk when cholesterol levels are between 130 and 190 mg/dL.

Statins, also known as inhibitors HMG-CoA reductases are the main group of drugs for lowering cholesterol levels. Other drugs are selective inhibitors of cholesterol absorption: fibrates, resins, niacin.

Examples of statins:

• Atorvastatin (brand name Lipitor)
• Fluvastatin (Lescol)
• Lovastatin (Mevacor)
• Pravastatin
• Rosuvastatin calcium (Crestor)
• Simvastatin (Zocor)

Statin safety

The prescription of statins and their side effects have generated considerable controversy in the medical community in recent years. While it is true that a large number of patients benefit greatly from using statins to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attack, a significant number of these patients experience side effects from this group of drugs, including statin myopathy, fatigue and the risk of diabetes. Studies have shown that approximately 10-15% of people using statins develop myopathy and myalgia.

Statins, which work by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductases also negatively affect the body's production of coenzyme Q10, which is an important component of energy production in the muscles and brain. It is known that coenzyme Q10 is concentrated in the heart muscle, and low levels of this antioxidant increase the negative effects on the heart.

The effects of statins on the synthesis of coenzyme Q10 and vitamin D are associated with muscle pain and fatigue. Switching to another drug or making lifestyle improvements to lower cholesterol may help improve statin myopathy and other unwanted effects of these drugs.

Ten-year risk of heart attack

Blood cholesterol levels play an important role in the likelihood of a heart attack over the next 10 years. There are various calculators that allow you to estimate your risk of cardiovascular disease based on several data:

• Age
• Blood cholesterol level
• Smoking
• Blood pressure

Assessing your risk allows you to manage your lifestyle and other cholesterol-lowering measures, thereby reducing your chances of developing cardiovascular disease, leading to heart attack and stroke.

Cardiovascular diseases do not always appear immediately. Symptoms of high cholesterol are also not noticeable at the initial stage of hyperlipoproteinemia. Often, lipid metabolism disorders are detected accidentally during a preventive examination.

General information

Cholesterol is a natural lipophilic alcohol that is part of the group of animal sterols.

• Regulates the degree of permeability of cell membranes, which makes it possible to provide them with necessary nutrients and remove decay products.
• Participates in the synthesis of bile acids.
• Necessary for the production of vitamin D, sex and steroid hormones.

Cholesterol molecules can be divided into good and bad.

• LDL, VLDL. Low and very low density lipoproteins. They transport cholesterol produced by the liver to tissues. Absorbed from the blood. Conventionally called bad lipids, because they contain a large number of fat-like particles that settle on the vascular walls. Plaques form from cholesterol deposits, which narrow the lumen of the arteries and can cause the development of atherosclerosis.
• HDL. High density lipoproteins. Remnants of cholesterol are taken from tissues, organs, blood vessels, transported to the liver for subsequent processing, or completely eliminated from the body. Conventionally called good lipids.

Hypercholesterolemia is promoted by diseases of internal organs, unhealthy diet (rich in animal fats, saturated fatty acids), and hereditary factors.

Why is cholesterol dangerous?

It should be borne in mind that the negative consequences of hypercholesterolemia can be discussed when identifying the relationship between a decrease in the concentration of HDL, an increase in the amount of LDL and VLDL.

Excess bad cholesterol leads to the following vascular deformations:

• thickening of arterial walls;
• decreased elasticity;
• narrowing of the lumen of blood vessels;
• decreased blood flow.

Negative changes in blood circulation disrupt the functioning of life support systems. With long-term lipid imbalance, the risk of developing atherosclerosis or other serious diseases increases:

• trophic ulcers, gangrene, muscle atrophy of the lower extremities;
• stroke;
• myocardial infarction;
• ischemia of internal organs;
• hypertension;
• increased thrombus formation.

Atherosclerotic plaques can affect any blood vessels. But the most common places where deposits are localized are large arteries: the carotid, aorta, areas of its bifurcation, large vessels of the lower extremities.

How to identify a pathological condition

Signs of high cholesterol levels at the initial stage are not felt. Dyslipidemia can only be detected based on the results of the diagnostics.

Clinical manifestations depend on the type of arteries affected:

• Thoracic aorta. The most characteristic symptom is hypertension. It is characterized by a persistent increase in blood pressure (140 to 90 mm Hg and higher). It remains asymptomatic for a long time. With a long-term pathology, significant damage to the walls of the artery, the heart begins to work with increased load. Patients often feel tired, have a rapid heartbeat, and feel pain in the chest, left shoulder blade or arm. Attacks of angina or suffocation are possible. The condition is dangerous due to its complications: heart attack, ischemic heart disease, thromboembolism.
• Lower limbs. Symptoms of arterial damage are manifested by short-term pain that occurs during physical activity (running, walking long distances). The pain intensifies and can occur even during a short walk. Numbness of the toes appears periodically. Partial or complete muscle atrophy develops, lameness, trophic ulcers, and gangrene appear.
• Brain. Excess cholesterol causes a lack of blood circulation in the brain vessels, slows down metabolic processes, which leads to deformation of nerve cells. Initially, the pathological condition manifests itself with mild symptoms: periodic headaches, tinnitus, poor performance, forgetfulness. As the disease progresses, symptoms increase: the patient becomes aggressive, often becomes depressed, mood becomes unstable, and speech problems may occur. The risk of developing a stroke or cerebral infarction increases.
• Abdominal aorta. Damage to the arteries of the abdominal cavity disrupts blood circulation in the kidneys, digestive tract organs, and lower extremities. Symptoms appear when oxygen starvation of internal organs occurs due to decreased blood flow to tissues. The patient experiences frequent abdominal pain, suffers from excessive gas formation and heartburn. Also possible: stool upset, weight loss. If treatment is not started on time, the risk of complications – thrombosis or embolism – increases.
• Lungs. For a long time, the pathology is asymptomatic. Damage to the arteries due to high cholesterol is often detected at an advanced stage, when the first signs of pulmonary insufficiency appear: bluish skin, shortness of breath, fatigue, persistent cough, enlarged veins in the neck.

It should be borne in mind that clinical manifestations of high cholesterol can occur against the background of other chronic diseases. Therefore, if any symptoms appear that indicate a deterioration in your health, you should consult a doctor for advice.

External signs of pathology

A high concentration of cholesterol, in addition to worsening the general condition and diseases of internal organs, can manifest itself as external symptoms:

• Tendon xanthomas. The accumulations under the skin are white or light yellow. They form next to the blood vessels on the tendons, skin folds, palms, and soles of the feet.
• Xanthelasmas. Dense, fatty nodules of yellow color. Appear on the skin of the eyelids.
• Tuberous xanthomas. Fatty growths of large sizes from 1 to 5 cm. They have a dark yellow or sometimes brown color. They may appear on the fingers, elbows, knees, and buttocks.
• Lipoid arch. Deposits of cholesterol deposits in the cornea of ​​the eye. It has a white or light gray tint.

In rare cases, in elderly people, high cholesterol causes the formation of gastric xanthomas. They are lipid plaques growing on the mucous membrane of the organ. They belong to benign formations.

Early gray hair is a symptom that, at first glance, is completely unrelated to excess cholesterol. Loss of pigmentation occurs against the background of atherosclerosis of the blood capillaries of the hair follicles.

Hypercholesterolemia in women

The first external symptom of increased cholesterol concentration in women is waist circumference; if it exceeds 88 cm, it is advisable to donate blood for a biochemical analysis.

For thin, slender women, it is necessary to measure the circumference of the hips and waist and calculate the ratio between these indicators. If the result is higher than 0.8, it is advisable to undergo an examination and take the appropriate tests.

Swelling of the legs, varicose veins, which women suffer from, can also be an indirect sign of a lipid metabolism disorder.

Hypercholesterolemia in men

High cholesterol levels in men most often manifest themselves as pain in the sternum area. Sharp pain in the legs may also occur during heavy physical work.

In 30% of cases, men suffering from atheroslkerosis experience a decrease in erection. This condition occurs when the arteries of the groin area or penis are damaged by atheromatous plaques. It should be added that deterioration in potency can occur against the background of damage to the arteries of the legs, when the condition is complicated by the formation of blood clots.

Features of treatment

Get tested. They will help confirm or refute the diagnosis. Treatment of hypercholesterolemia should be comprehensive:

• giving up bad habits;
• physical activity;
• healthy eating;
• taking specialized medications.

Nutritional Features

Diet therapy involves eating foods that normalize lipid metabolism, eliminating foods containing animal fats and cholesterol, and following a diet.

• offal;
• fatty meats;
• butter;
• margarine;
• egg yolk;
• fatty dairy products;
• canned meat, semi-finished products;
• sweets, confectionery.

This will help reduce the intake of cholesterol and fats from food, and reduce the calorie content of meals to the recommended 2000 kcal/day.

The basis of the daily menu should be the following products:

• fruits, vegetables;
• berries;
• cereals;
• fish;
• vegetable oils;
• green;
• low-fat fermented milk products;
• soy products;
• mushrooms;
• compotes, fruit drinks, juices.

Such a diet will help restore the properties of the arteries, cleanse them of atherosclerotic growths, and remove excess cholesterol from the body.

Traditional medicine

You can reduce high cholesterol using folk remedies. They give a good effect together with diet therapy. They can also be used to prevent hypercholesterolemia and generally strengthen the body.

The following recipes are most effective:

• Garlic tincture. The head of garlic is peeled, crushed, and poured with 1 glass of vodka. Infuse in a warm, dark place for at least 7 days. Strain, take 10 drops three times a day with meals. The course of treatment is 1 month. The tincture removes excess LDL from the body, improves the condition of blood vessels, and strengthens the immune system.
• Linseed oil. Drink 1 tbsp. l. three times a day before meals. The oil helps reduce total cholesterol, restores the elasticity of arteries and veins, and reduces cholesterol plaques. Duration of therapy is 1.5 months.
• Potato juice. Raw potatoes are grated on a fine grater, the juice is squeezed out, and drunk on an empty stomach. The product helps normalize lipid metabolism and removes low-density lipoproteins from the body.
• Honey-lemon mixture. Grind one lemon in a blender, add 1 tbsp. l. honey Take 2 tbsp in the morning on an empty stomach. l. The product helps strengthen the immune system, slows the progression of atherosclerosis, and restores the properties of blood vessels.
• Decoctions from medicinal plants: hawthorn, rose hips, periwinkle, Caucasian dioscorea. To prepare the decoction, take 100 g of raw materials, pour in 300 ml of boiling water, and leave for at least 4 hours. The strained broth is taken three times a day before meals. To prepare a multicomponent decoction, the ingredients are taken equally so that the total amount is 100 g.

In addition to restoring arteries, all remedies help normalize blood pressure and the functioning of the cardiovascular system.

Medications

They are used to treat dyslipidemia when conservative methods have not brought any effect. The vast majority of patients with atherosclerosis are prescribed specialized lipid-lowering drugs -. However, they have multiple contraindications and side effects, and in some cases they can be replaced or supplemented:

• Fibrates. Designed to normalize lipid metabolism. Effectively reduces the concentration of organic fats. Can be used in conjunction with statins.
• Bile acid sequestrants. Reduces the production of bile acids. The liver begins to use up excess cholesterol to replenish its quantity.
• Nicotinic acid. Normalizes lipid metabolism by reducing blood viscosity, expands the vascular lumen, and increases elasticity.

Literature

1. Jacquelyn Cafasso. Symptoms of High Cholesterol, 2016
2. Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM. High Cholesterol, 2011
3. Jennifer Moll, PharmD. The Symptoms of High Cholesterol, 2018

Last updated: August 22, 2019