Cholesterol: Cholesterol silently increases in the body. What should its level be and when should it be tested? Learn everything..

High Cholesterol: The very mention of cholesterol often brings to mind problems affecting heart health. While high cholesterol is certainly detrimental to the body, not all cholesterol is harmful.

Cholesterol is a type of fatty substance found in our bodies. It helps build cells, hormones, and vitamin D. Our liver produces it, and we also get a small amount from our diet. The real problem arises when bad cholesterol, called LDL, increases and good cholesterol, called HDL, decreases. This leads to fat accumulation in the blood vessels.

This problem is rapidly increasing these days. Health experts attribute this to eating too much oily and fast food, lack of exercise, obesity, diabetes, and smoking. Previously, cholesterol was thought to be a problem only for the elderly, but now it is rapidly increasing among young people as well.

What happens when cholesterol is high?

High cholesterol is a dangerous condition for health; it accumulates in our arteries and narrows them. This is medically known as atherosclerosis. When blood vessels narrow, blood supply to the heart and brain is reduced. This can lead to serious problems like a heart attack, chest pain, angina, or stroke.

In addition, long-term high triglycerides and low HDL levels can increase inflammation and increase the risk of high blood pressure. Recent studies have found that triglyceride levels are also increasing in Indian children aged 5-9 years.

How to know if you have high cholesterol?

In most cases, high cholesterol doesn't show any symptoms. A person may feel completely healthy, but blood cholesterol levels are still rising. This is why it is called a silent killer.

Yellow lumps on the skin, called xanthomas, and a white or yellow ring around the pupils of the eyes can be common signs. With increased cholesterol, problems like shortness of breath, palpitations, and fatigue are also more common.

What should be the cholesterol level?

Doctors say that most people don't understand their cholesterol levels without getting tested. Cholesterol testing takes into account four main factors: total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides.

Total cholesterol less than 200 mg/dL is considered normal. LDL less than 100 mg/dL is considered normal. HDL should be more than 40 mg/dL in men and 50 mg/dL in women, while triglycerides less than 150 mg/dL are considered normal.

For people with pre-existing heart disease or diabetes, doctors recommend keeping LDL even lower.

When should a cholesterol test be done?

The timing of a cholesterol test varies from person to person. Generally, adults over 20 should have a lipid profile test every 3-4 years. However, people with diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, smoking, or a family history of heart disease should have this test done once a year, or as directed by a doctor.

The best way to avoid high cholesterol is to improve your lifestyle. Include more green vegetables, whole grains, pulses, and fruits in your diet. Avoid oily and fried foods. Make regular exercise a habit and keep your weight under control.

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