If you’re experiencing pains in your chest, it could be a sign that you have high blood cholesterol. This condition can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease and stroke. If you are concerned about your symptoms, you should see a doctor immediately.
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that your body needs to build cells and make certain hormones. It’s also important for the health of your arteries, which transport blood to your brain and other parts of your body.
Your body produces two kinds of cholesterol: LDL and HDL. Both are important for your overall health, but they can be harmful if they’re too high.
You can control your cholesterol and triglyceride levels by eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and not smoking. But if you have other medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes or thyroid disease, you may be at higher risk for developing high cholesterol.
What’s more, you can increase your chances of getting high blood cholesterol by being overweight or obese. Being too heavy can lead to increased amounts of the bad type of cholesterol, LDL, in your bloodstream.
Having a family history of high cholesterol can also put you at risk for developing the condition. In fact, people with familial hypercholesterolemia — a genetic disorder that makes it more difficult for the body to remove LDL — are much more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than others.
A lipid panel, or blood test, is the best way to detect high cholesterol. Your doctor will collect a sample of your blood, then send it to a lab for analysis.
The results of the test will tell you if you have high or low levels of total cholesterol, LDL and HDL. Your doctor will then recommend a treatment plan for you to help lower your cholesterol levels.
You may need to have your cholesterol levels checked often, depending on your age and other factors. Generally, adults with normal cholesterol levels don’t need to be tested more than once every 5 years, or sooner if your diet or exercise habits change.
Get your cholesterol level checked as soon as you can if you have any of these risk factors:
Your blood cholesterol levels usually rise with age, but younger people can develop high cholesterol. The exact reason is unknown, but it’s believed that it may be related to a combination of genetics and lifestyle choices.
If you have high cholesterol, your doctor will recommend a healthy diet and regular physical activity. In addition, your doctor will encourage you to quit smoking. Smoking has been linked to an increase in heart disease, which can raise your LDL cholesterol levels.
It’s also important to eat foods that are low in saturated and trans fats. Saturated and trans fats are found in fatty cuts of meat, full-fat dairy products and fried foods.
In addition, you should watch how much sodium (salt) you eat. Salt can contribute to high cholesterol.
