Cholesterol is a wax-like substance found in the cells of the human body. 80% of cholesterol is produced by the liver, while only 20% comes from the diet. Cholesterol’s effects are not always negative, even though most people associate it with diseases and health problems.
With the stress and strains of today’s lifestyle, it is more necessary than ever to focus on heart health; cholesterol levels are a key component. Keeping a close eye on the cholesterol levels in the body is essential for optimum health, as an abnormally high blood cholesterol level causes no symptoms but can lead to a number of major health problems, such as a heart attack, cardiovascular disease, etc.
What is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that occurs naturally in the body’s cell walls. Cholesterol levels in the body are determined by the amount of cholesterol absorbed by the intestines and the amount produced by the liver. The presence of some cholesterol is normal and healthy. It is required to produce fat-digesting hormones, vitamin D, and bile acids.
An excessive amount of cholesterol in the body can accumulate in the arteries, causing coronary heart disease (CHD) and other serious conditions.
Blood contains two major types of cholesterol: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, also known as “bad” cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, also known as “good” cholesterol.
- LDL cholesterol is referred to as “bad” because it is a major contributor to the development of atherosclerosis – the formation of plaques within blood vessels that can lead to a stroke.
- HDL cholesterol is ‘good’ because it removes cholesterol from developing plaques and transports it back to the liver, where it is excreted via the bile. The levels of HDL in the body can be increased through exercise and decreased through smoking.
What is Cholesterol Testing?
A cholesterol test is a basic blood test that measures the amounts of these two types of cholesterol in the blood and the levels of triglycerides, another lipid seen in the blood. As a result of this test, four measures are determined, namely the amount of:
- Total cholesterol
- HDL cholesterol
- LDL cholesterol
- Triglycerides
A total cholesterol test, a fasting lipoprotein profile, assesses a person’s risk of developing heart disease.
What Are the Reasons for High Cholesterol Levels?
Elevated cholesterol levels increase the risk of coronary artery disease, heart attack, and stroke. High cholesterol levels can cause the arteries to stiffen over time, making blood flow more difficult. High cholesterol levels can be caused by a number of factors, including:
Genes: Genes Some people have a family history of elevated cholesterol.
Unhealthy Eating Patterns: High cholesterol levels are often caused by foods such as red meat, full-fat dairy products, and trans fats.
Sedentary Way of Life: Inactivity, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle can all increase the risk of cardiovascular disease because inactivity lowers high-density lipoprotein levels.
Smoking: raises the risk of high blood pressure, exacerbating the hazards of high cholesterol levels.
Age: Men’s and women’s cholesterol levels rise gradually as they age. Although it is extremely unusual, younger people might develop high cholesterol levels due to various circumstances.
Preventing High Cholesterol
People of any age can take many actions to maintain a healthy lifestyle and maintain their cholesterol levels. These are some examples:
- A healthy diet includes avoiding or limiting saturated fats, trans fats, and added sugars, as well as including more high-fiber foods.
- Sustain Weight: A person’s body-mass index can be used to assess their healthy weight. Conferring with a doctor and devising a proper fitness plan is advisable.
- Regular physical activity is required to maintain a healthy weight, decrease cholesterol, and manage blood pressure.
- Quit smoking and minimize your alcohol intake.
If a person has high cholesterol levels, they can take the following strategies to control the condition:
- Timely dosing of medication is essential.
- Cholesterol levels can be lowered by adopting a healthy lifestyle and making changes like eating better and exercising more.
- Checking cholesterol levels periodically can help doctors evaluate how well their therapy is working.
Cholesterol levels can be managed within a healthy range by making appropriate lifestyle modifications; the onus is on you to do so.
How Cholesterol Testing and Urine Test Related
Urine testing and cholesterol testing are unrelated since they check for distinct things in the human body.
The level of cholesterol in your blood is measured by a blood test called a cholesterol test. The dangers of cardiovascular disease and stroke are amplified in those with high cholesterol levels.
Urine testing, on the other hand, can detect various things in the body, such as glucose, protein, and ketones. It can also be used to check for the presence of certain diseases, such as urinary tract infections.
However, a specific urine test called a urine albumin test can provide information about your cholesterol levels. This test measures the amount of protein albumin in your urine. High levels of albumin in the urine may be a sign of kidney damage, which high cholesterol levels in the blood can cause.
So while cholesterol and urine testing are not directly related, a specific urine test can provide information about cholesterol levels in the body.
Conclusion
High cholesterol frequently has no symptoms, prompting the medical community to label it a silent killer. A blood-test is the only way to detect your body’s cholesterol levels. Even if you are in good health, it is prudent to get routine examinations. Yet, prevention is always preferable to treatment.
The simplest strategy to reduce the risk of high cholesterol levels is to live a healthy lifestyle and have frequent cholesterol tests. At Medguard, one may book a cholesterol testing device at a low rate and use a home cholesterol testing service.
