What are the effects of cholesterol on the body?

A high level of “bad” cholesterol in the blood leads to a risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

However, high cholesterol is silent, which makes it even more dangerous. Explanations!

Cholesterol: what are we talking about?

Contrary to what is generally believed, cholesterol is essential to the body. It makes up the structure of the body’s cell membranes and plays a role in the synthesis of certain hormones.

The majority of cholesterol needed by the body is made by the liver, the rest is provided by food.

Then, there are two proteins that help transport cholesterol in the body via the blood. It is :

• HDL (high density lipoproteins) : this is what is generally called “good” cholesterol. These proteins have the role of preventing the formation of fatty plaques on the walls of the arteries. “HDL brings excess cholesterol accumulated in the organs to the liver so that it can be eliminated” indicates the French Federation of Cardiology;
• LDL (low density lipoproteins) are what we often call bad cholesterol. These proteins distribute excess cholesterol to different organs. This promotes lipid deposition on the artery walls and therefore the appearance of atherosclerotic plaques.

High cholesterol: a risk of cardiovascular disease

The main problem with high cholesterol is that it does not cause any physical symptoms. Therefore, the only way to detect excess cholesterol is to do a blood test. In the body, however, the effects are visible.

So, high cholesterol can include:

• An accumulation of plaques, mixture of fat, calcium and cholesterol, and blockage of blood vessels;
• Greater risk of heart attack or stroke due to partially blocked blood circulation;
• Blood cannot flow properly through the blood vessels. These are blocked by plaque or blood clots;
• “Blood clots form if high cholesterol results from high levels of triglycerides, the most common form of fat in your body” indicates the Canadian government website.

If your cholesterol level is too high, it is possible to do something about it. So you must: exercise regularly, adopt a balanced diet and, if necessary, resort to medication.