Cholesterol is a fatty substance produced by the liver. It is essential for the formation of cell membranes, vitamin D, and some hormones. However, high cholesterol content in the blood (hypercholesterolemia) can be dangerous and potentially fatal.
Lipids, when combined with proteins, form lipoproteins. These substances help transport cholesterol from the liver to the peripheral tissue and vice versa. Lipoproteins are of two types mainly, low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL).
LDL is also known as bad cholesterol, as these accumulate in the arteries and lead to strokes or heart attacks. However, HDL is known as good cholesterol and transports LDL from the peripheral tissues back to the liver for elimination.
Hypercholesterolemia can lead to severe heart complications, and to check the health status of your heart, you can contact a cardiologist at the Center of cardiology in New York, NY.
Effects of Cholesterol On Your Heart:
Good cholesterol, or HDL, is not harmful at all, while bad cholesterol is responsible for all the possible adverse effects mentioned below.
- Heart Attack
The presence of high levels of cholesterol in the blood leads to the accumulation in the blood vessels. Eventually, this accumulation makes it difficult for arteries to flow enough blood to the organs and tissue and later forms a clot that leads to a heart attack.
- Atherosclerosis
The accumulation of cholesterol in the arteries makes the lumen of the artery narrow, and with time, plaque develops, further narrowing the artery. If cholesterol content remains high, it will block the artery and prevent blood flow.
- Coronary Heart Disease
When cholesterol levels increase in the body, there is an accumulation of LDL over the walls of the coronary arteries (arteries that supply blood to the heart). If this happens, there will be a high risk of developing heart diseases such as heart failure or angina pectoris.
- Stroke
Stroke is a condition where the brain is deprived of blood. A stroke occurs when the vessels supplying the heart are blocked with high cholesterol content, and the heart can not pump the oxygenated blood to the brain, resulting in a stroke.
A stroke can also result from a block in one of the arteries supplying blood to the brain.
- High Blood Pressure
The accumulation of cholesterol in the walls of the arteries narrows the blood vessels due to increased blood pressure.
All the effects are directly or indirectly related to the blockage of the vessels. Consuming a healthy diet can prevent heart diseases related to cholesterol.
