Thread: what happens when your cholesterol is high?

what happens when your cholesterol is high?

High cholesterol levels can lead to hardening of the arteries, also called atherosclerosis. This occurs when fat, cholesterol, and other substances build up in the walls of arteries and form hard structures called plaques.
Over time, these plaques can block the arteries and cause heart disease, stroke, and other symptoms or problems throughout the body.
Lifestyle changes and medicines can lower cholesterol levels and prevent these problems in most people.
Disorders that are passed down through families often lead to higher cholesterol levels that are harder to control.

It can increase your risk for serious medical diseases:

*) Atherosclerosis - narrowing of the arteries.

*) Higher coronary heart disease risk - an abnormality of the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the heart.

*) Heart attack - occurs when the supply of blood and oxygen to an area of heart muscle is blocked, usually by a clot in a coronary artery. This causes your heart muscle to die.

*) Angina - chest pain or discomfort that occurs when your heart muscle does not get enough blood.

*) Other cardiovascular conditions - diseases of the heart and blood vessels.

*) Stroke and mini-stroke - occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery or vein, interrupting the flow to an area of the brain. Can also occur when a blood vessel breaks. Brain cells begin to die.