Top 10 Questions About High Cholesterol, Answered

1. What Does High Cholesterol Do to the Body?

Having high cholesterol can lead to the stiffening and narrowing of the arteries, as well as reduced or blocked blood flow through them because of a buildup of plaque — a combination of cholesterol, fats, your cells’ waste products, calcium, and fibrin (which causes blood clotting), explains the American Heart Association (AHA). That’s why cholesterol matters: Lack of sufficient blood flow to your brain or heart can lead to a stroke or heart attack.

2. Whom Does High Cholesterol Affect?

High cholesterol can affect anyone at any age. About 73 million adults in the United States have high cholesterol, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But it can also be a problem for children when high cholesterol runs in the family.

3. Can High Cholesterol Be Genetic?

Yes. High cholesterol is genetic for about 1 in 200 people in the United States who live with a condition called familial hypercholesterolemia (FH).

Unfortunately, 90 percent of people who have FH don’t know it, according to the FH Foundation, a national nonprofit organization based in Pasadena, California. Screening for high cholesterol is the only way to identify people who have FH. Because of this, all children should have a cholesterol screening test once between ages 9 and 11, recommends the American Academy of Pediatrics.

If your LDL cholesterol level is above 100, it’s considered high. But if it’s higher than 190, you may have inherited FH, according to leading heart groups such as the AHA, the American College of Cardiology, and the National Lipid Association. If a parent has familial hypercholesterolemia, you have a 50 percent likelihood of having it, too. Finding out if you have it — and getting treated if you do — are vital, because having FH means you have a 20-times higher risk of heart attack or stroke than people who don’t have inherited high cholesterol.

4. Can High Cholesterol Make You Tired?

No, high cholesterol doesn’t usually cause fatigue. But it can lead to heart diseases, like coronary microvascular disease, that do. In this heart condition, excess LDL cholesterol builds up as plaque in the small arteries of your heart, narrowing and stiffening them. This reduces blood flow, which can make you feel tired or short of breath, as well as cause chest pain, notes the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI).

If you’re taking a statin medication to treat your high cholesterol, possible side effects include symptoms that come with fatigue, like memory loss, forgetfulness, and confusion, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Mayo Clinic describes this as mental fuzziness. Be sure to discuss any similar symptoms with your doctor.

5. Can High Cholesterol Cause a Stroke?

Yes, if you have high cholesterol, you’re at risk for stroke due to the excess cholesterol circulating in your blood, according to the AHA.

LDL cholesterol builds up in your arteries, where it slows or blocks the flow of oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood to your body, including your brain. As arteries narrow and stiffen, blood clots may form and cause a stroke from a blockage in the brain.

About 795,000 Americans have a stroke each year, and 130,000 of these are fatal, making stroke the fifth leading cause of death, according to the American Stroke Association. Stroke is also one of the main causes of disability in the United States, but it’s preventable; keeping your cholesterol levels down is one way to cut your risk.

6. Will High Cholesterol Make You Feel Bad?

No. For most people, high cholesterol has no symptoms at all, according to the AHA. But when it causes plaque buildup in larger arteries in your heart, coronary artery disease results, along with angina, chest pain, arrhythmia (an irregular heart beat), and shortness of breath that can leave you short on energy, notes the NHLBI.

Coronary artery disease, also called coronary heart disease, is the most common heart disease, but many people have no symptoms at all until they suffer a heart attack, according to the CDC. For them, a heart attack was the first sign that they’d been living with high cholesterol.

The AHA advises having your cholesterol checked every four to six years starting at age 20 (or more frequently if you’re at risk). If your numbers are too high, you can take steps to lower your risk for both heart disease and stroke. Eat a diet low in saturated and trans fats but rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains; stay physically active; and take medications as instructed if your doctor prescribes them.

7. Will High Cholesterol Cause Erectile Dysfunction (ED)?

High cholesterol alone is not thought to cause erectile dysfunction, but plaque-clogged arteries can, because blood flow is essential to an erection, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

“High cholesterol is atherogenic [causes atherosclerosis] and can cause erectile dysfunction on that basis,” says Seth J. Baum, MD, president of the American Society for Preventive Cardiology and director of women’s preventive cardiology at the Boca Raton Regional Hospital in Florida. “When we see patients with ED, we have to consider not only cholesterol disorders, but also that other parts of the body might be afflicted with atherosclerotic plaque. The heart, lower extremities, and brain are the areas we typically examine to look for such disease.”

8. Can High Cholesterol Cause Headaches or Dizziness?

No, says Baum. “High cholesterol doesn’t cause these symptoms. Sometimes, rarely, the medications we use to treat high cholesterol can cause such side effects,” he says. For example, statins used to lower cholesterol can cause headaches as a side effect in some people. Check with your doctor if you’re having headaches or dizziness to find out if your symptom is related to drug side effects, or points to another health condition that may need treatment.

9. When Should High Cholesterol Be Treated With Medication?

If you’ve had a heart attack or been diagnosed with inherited high cholesterol, you’ll probably need to try a cholesterol-lowering medication or medications, in addition to being careful with your diet and staying active.

“Almost all people who’ve had a heart attack should be on a statin,” recommends Arthur Agatston, MD, medical director of wellness and prevention for Baptist Health South Florida, and clinical assistant professor of medicine at Florida International University’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine in Miami.

In addition to statins, cholesterol-lowering drugs include bile-acid sequestrants and cholesterol absorption inhibitors. If these aren’t effective for you, injectable biologics are also available: Praluent (alirocumab) and Repatha (evolocumab).

If you found out your cholesterol was high after a routine checkup, discuss your test results with your healthcare provider. If the doctor recommends it, give a healthy diet and an active lifestyle a try first. If your cholesterol levels remain high, you may need a heart scan to look for plaque buildup in your arteries, and your doctor may recommend cholesterol-lowering drugs to lower your heart disease and stroke risk.

10. Is High Cholesterol Always Bad?

Not all cholesterol is bad.  Higher levels of HDL cholesterol — optimally 60 mg/dL or higher — may protect your heart from disease, heart attack, and stroke, according to the AHA.

But high total cholesterol, and high LDL cholesterol levels in particular, do put you at risk for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. The higher your LDL cholesterol, the higher your risk, notes the FH Foundation.

5 Ways to Lower Your Cholesterol

One of the contributing factors in the development of high blood cholesterol is a diet high in saturated fat, which is a form of fat typically found in foods that come from animal sources, including beef, pork, poultry, and dairy products like cheese and milk. Saturated fat can also be found in processed food and snacks like chips, cookies, and doughnuts.

To cut out saturated fat and eat in a way that will help lower your LDL cholesterol levels, switch to a plant-based diet filled with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. The Mediterranean diet is one such plant-based diet that’s rich in nutrients and phytochemicals. The diet includes healthy fats such as olive oil and fish, but plant-based foods make up the bulk of each meal. Red meat is limited to no more than a few times a month. This diet originated in countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, where there’s significantly lower incidence of heart disease.

Losing weight is key to helping you lower your blood cholesterol, particularly if you’re obese. Shaving off as little as 5 to 10 percent of your body weight will help you improve your cholesterol levels. As mentioned above, switching to a plant-based diet is a good first step to help you lose a few pounds.

Regular physical activity doesn’t just help you maintain a healthy weight, it also helps you lower cholesterol by stimulating the enzymes that move the “bad” cholesterol in your blood to the liver, where they’re either converted to bile for digestion or excreted.

Smoking creates a double whammy in terms of cholesterol by lowering HDL levels (“good” cholesterol) while simultaneously worsening existing LDL. Research suggests that the toxins produced by cigarettes oxidize LDL cholesterol, making the “bad” cholesterol more potent and damaging.

Sleep is as important as diet in combating high cholesterol. An investigation done by a research group in Helsinki concluded that the gene responsible for cholesterol transport is less active in those who are sleep-deprived. The study also showed that people who suffer from sleep loss have lower HDL levels compared to those who are getting at least seven hours of sleep each night.

You can see that lowering your cholesterol level doesn’t have to be a difficult process. Even though millions of Americans are taking statin drugs to lower their cholesterol levels, you can make a bigger impact by simply making a few positive lifestyle changes. As you develop good eating habits, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep each night, you’ll fight off “bad” cholesterol and better utilize “good” cholesterol to boost your overall health and significantly reduce your risk for heart disease and stroke.

The Johns Hopkins Digestive Weight Loss Center

High cholesterol, or dyslipidemia, means that there is an imbalance of fats (lipids), circulating in your blood stream. Cholesterol is a fatty substance your body uses to make hormones and metabolize food.
Doctors use three different measurements to determine your overall lipid health:

1. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), also known as “bad cholesterol” – if you have too much LDL, you may be at risk for cardiovascular disease. This type of cholesterol is linked to a buildup of plaque in your arteries, which can obstruct proper blood flow to the heart and other organs. The higher your LDL, the higher your risk of heart disease.
2. High-density lipoprotein (HDL), also known as “good cholesterol” – HDL brings cholesterol from other parts of your body back to your liver, which will remove the harmful cholesterol from your body. High HDL levels seem protective against heart disease, while low HDL is associated with increased risk of heart disease.
3. Triglycerides – this term refers to fat in the blood. This is a kind of fat that people eat, found mostly in vegetable oil and animal fats. When it exists in high levels in your blood, it can signal increased risk for cardiovascular disease, because triglycerides also contribute to a buildup of plaque in your arteries.

High cholesterol and obesity

Understanding why some people have high cholesterol and some do not has a lot to do with the interplay of your genes coupled with your environment. Your genes and your environment—in this case, what you eat and how much you exercise—combine to form a baseline risk for developing high cholesterol. If you eat a diet that is high in fat, like high-fat meats, fried foods and high-fat cheeses, you are increasing your risk of both obesity and high cholesterol.

What is my risk for high cholesterol?

To understand your risk of developing high cholesterol, you will need to have a blood test so your doctor can measure the amount of lipids, or fats, in your blood. This is called a complete fasting lipoprotein profile and will include measurements for your low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglycerides.

The table below demonstrates what cholesterol numbers are considered healthy, borderline and high risk for developing cardiovascular disease: 

Source: Third Report of the Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III), National Institutes of Health

How can I change my high cholesterol?

At Johns Hopkins, we use an approach to lower cholesterol that includes making small changes to your diet and exercise habits. Instead of changing your total intake of calories, we make suggestions about changes you can make to the types of foods you eat that will contribute to healthier cholesterol levels. However, if you do have extra body fat, studies suggest that weight loss helps reduce your LDL and triglycerides, while increasing your HDL. Exercise can also contribute to increasing your HDL levels, as well as eating more omega-3s, a good kind of fat.

Will having high cholesterol make it hard for me to lose weight?

No. In fact, some people who have high cholesterol are at a healthy weight. But, changing your diet to include healthier choices and following a routine exercise program can help you lower your cholesterol. If you are obese and have high cholesterol, losing weight should help lower your cholesterol, as well as your risk for other obesity-related conditions including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Learn more about our weight loss services.

High Cholesterol – Symptoms, Signs, Causes & Treatments

Overview of High Cholesterol

No one can actually tell if they have high cholesterol or not. Only after a proper check-up, one becomes aware that he/she has high Cholesterol. There are different types of cholesterol and all such cholesterol levels in the body can be measured through a blood test. According to the Times of India, around 80% of Indians are affected by high cholesterol yearly. Raising the risk of heart attacks and strokes, do you know the difference between a heart attack and stoke? A heart attack occurs when the blood flow gets block, mainly due to blood clot while a stroke happens when there is a halt in the blood flow and oxygen to the brain cells. A stroke can also be regarded as a brain attack. Learn and read to know more high cholesterol and its various effects and symptoms.

What is High Cholesterol?

High cholesterol occurs when there is a presence of too much fatty, waxy substance called cholesterol in the blood. It is true that our body requires a definite amount of cholesterol in the system to function efficiently but an excess presence of cholesterol proves to be harmful, at time risk for the body.

A blood test can detect the levels of cholesterol. A person affected by high cholesterol needs to be under a healthy diet and regular check-up; as there are no specific symptoms of high cholesterol.

Symptoms of High Cholesterol

High cholesterol is said to have no specific symptom but there are a few common symptoms that might indicate the risk of high cholesterol. The most basic and trusted method to detect it is to undergo a blood test. Few high cholesterol symptoms are:-

Paleness of skin

If a person is getting signs of skin paleness, there is a high risk of developing high cholesterol. Many times this paleness is wrongly thought to be the signs of jaundice. If you’re experiencing such a sign of skin paleness, immediately consult your doctor and take the required care for it.

Frequent leg and hand pain

Experiencing frequent pain in the legs and hands might also lead to high cholesterol. It is advisory to visit your doctor and get a proper health check-up.

Head and neck pain ( backside)

Another high cholesterol symptom can be that the person is suffering from pain at the backside of the head and neck. To prevent further damage, get your blood test and avoid further damage due to high cholesterol.

Increase in weight

One of the most common signs of high cholesterol is weight gain. People with weight issues are prone to several diseases and high cholesterol is one such disease. Try to maintain your body weight and opt for regular exercises and a healthy diet.

Increase in heartbeat

Irregular drop and rise of heartbeat is a symptom of forming high cholesterol. In such a condition, the person is prone to get a heart attack or stroke.

Causes of High Cholesterol

Numerous factors contribute to building up a high cholesterol ratio in the body. In rare cases, some people are affected by Familia hypercholesterolemia. It is a genetic disorder that does not allow the body to remove LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol. While other factors like weight gain, obesity, and eating too much of food that are rich in saturated fats, cholesterol and trans fat. Family history also plays an important role, for example, if parents have high cholesterol; the children are also more prone to develop high cholesterol in future.

Factors that can lead to high cholesterol:

· Smoking

Smoking lowers the level of HDL (also known as good cholesterol)

· Inactivity

Not following an active lifestyle can lead to an increase in cholesterol. Thus, making a person more prone to get a heart attack or stroke in the near future.

· Diabetic patient

High blood glucose level tends to cause damage to the blood vessels, and also increases high blood pressure and high cholesterol known as VLDL (very low-density lipoprotein). Diabetes also lowers HDL (high-density lipoprotein)

· Kidney or liver disease

Liver disease causes damage to the liver, thus affecting its function. The same goes for kidney disease or kidney stone formation can cause to rise the blood lipids (cholesterol).

· Menopause

With the arrival of menopause, women experiences increase in the LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol level.

· Age

Risk of high cholesterol increases with age; men of the age 45 and above, women of 55 years and above carries a high risk of a heart attack or stroke due to high cholesterol.

What are the different types of cholesterol?

Cholesterol, a waxy substance that our body uses to protect our nerves and produce certain hormones, but it becomes a dangerous component when present at an excess amount in the body. Cholesterol is partly lipid and partly protein. The different types of cholesterol are-

• HDL (high-density lipoprotein), also known as good protein prevents from cholesterol building up in the arteries
• LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is regarded as bad cholesterol. LDL causes damage by blocking the arteries by an increase in fat deposits.
• Triglyceride is a lipid that increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Women with high triglyceride develop more risk of getting a heart attack than men with a high triglyceride level.

What are the healthy cholesterol levels?

1. Cholesterol level is regarded as healthy when it is less than 200mg/dL
2. The triglyceride level should be less than 150 mg/dL
3. HDL cholesterol level must be 40 mg/dL or higher
4. LDL cholesterol level should be less than 100mg/dL

How to prevent High cholesterol?

1. Increase the intake of soluble fibre such as vegetables and fruits. Also include grains in your diet, as it is rich in fibre
2. Limit eating sweet beverages and processed meat
3. Opt for food that is low in cholesterol and saturated fats. Use less of butter, cheese, cream in your food
4. Avoid smoking
5. Exercise regularly.
6. Consume a low salt diet.
7. Don’t skip meals and eat 3 times a day in modest proportion.
8. Moderate alcohol intake, as triglyceride level, rises if one consumes excess alcohol.
9. Plug-in to a healthy lifestyle and keep stress at bay.

Specific foods that can help you lower cholesterol levels-

• Vegetable oil (sunflower oil)
• Brinjal and ladies finger
• Oats
• Wholesome food
• Fish (mainly tuna, salmon)
• Nuts
• Soy (Soya bean) based food

Including and practising all such things daily, can help to maintain and keep your cholesterol levels at a decent ratio. So try to remain active physically and include more greens in your diet; by doing so you will prevent the chances of getting a heart attack or stroke. Also, try and get in touch with your dietician and doctor to know ways to improve your food choices.

Food ingredients to be avoided by a person with high cholesterol-

1. Full-fat dairy
2. Red meat
3. Baked food
4. Egg, mainly yolks
5. Fast food like French fries, fried chicken etc.
6. Avoid food of high salt and butter content

   All these factors are can be used as a first step to treat high cholesterol. As it can be read above, all the factors include the basic steps that can be easily followed at home. If the condition is severe, rush to the doctor immediately. In the next section, medical surgeries and treatments are mentioned to beat-off high cholesterol, keep reading.

Treatment of High cholesterol

Depending on the risk factor, treatments are initiated by doctors. If a person is in the initial stage, he/she is advised to follow a healthy diet. Changing food habits and lifestyle makes a huge difference. Children are mostly recommended to exercise, actively participate in sports, and only when nothing works out doctors suggest taking up statin. When a condition is critical, the doctor might suggest opting for gastric bypass surgery.

Gastric bypass surgery helps to lose weight by changing the structure of the stomach through a surgical procedure. This surgery is eligible for people under the age group of 16 to 70 years. This surgery is performed to reduce the risk of heart diseases, high blood pressure etc.It has been found out to be effective by doctors and researchers.

Another type of weight loss surgery is bariatric surgery. This surgery is performed on people suffering from obesity. Bariatric surgery reduces the size of the stomach by removing a part of the stomach or by using a gastric band which re-routes the small intestine to a small stomach pouch.

Different types of medical drugs are also used to cure high cholesterol,

Some of the drugs to cure high cholesterol are-

Fibrates

Lowers the triglyceride level and increases the HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol level. This drug is mainly prescribed for heart disease patients.

Statin drugs

One of the most common drugs that are used to lower cholesterol level is statin drug. Statin improves liver capacity to remove cholesterol that is present in the bloodstream. It also lowers the production of LDL (lower density lipoprotein). Many high cholesterol patients are advised to take statin when nothing else helps them decrease the cholesterol level.

Niacin

With the ability to decrease the level of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and triglyceride, niacin also effectively increases HDL(high-density lipoprotein). Niacin is a form of vitamin B which is also used to treat people who have already suffered a heart attack.

Bile acid sequestrants

This kind of drug is given with a statin drug to enhance its effect. Bile acid sequestrants lower LDL(low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol and mixes with bile acids which contain cholesterol in the intestine and

Cholesterol absorption inhibitors

Blocks the absorption of LDL in the intestine thus lowering the LDL cholesterol level in the body, Cholesterol absorption inhibitors may also be given with statin drug.

One can also switch to natural product supplements like red yeast rice, oat bran (present in oatmeal and whole oats), and barley. But make sure to consult with the doctor before consuming it. Any kind of disease can be moderated and treated to provide an adequate amount of relief through proper guidance and care. High Cholesterol, when maintained at a healthy level, helps to avoid the risk of getting heart disease, peripheral artery disease, and stroke.

FAQs

Que1. What is the best drink to lower high cholesterol?

Ans-Green tea, lemon juice and cranberry juice may help decrease the level of high cholesterol.

Que2. Can drinking water help to decrease high cholesterol?

Ans-Water cleans the blood and also removes the excess amount of cholesterol, thus lowering the cholesterol level.

Que3. Does sleep affect high cholesterol?

Ans-Too much or too less sleep affects the lipid levels negatively, sleeping for less than five hours increases the levels of triglycerides and lowers HDL cholesterol levels.

Que4. Is banana good for high Cholesterol?

Ans-Fruits like banana, apple, and citrus fruit like orange can help lower high cholesterol.

Que5. Can high cholesterol make you tired?

Ans-High cholesterol does not cause tiredness directly instead it has other side effects that lead to heart diseases and a person suffering from a heart condition may find difficulty in breathing or may feel tired often.

Que6. What should I eat for breakfast to lower my cholesterol?

Ans- Include orange juice, almond milk, egg white scramble, avocado toast, or oatmeal to start your day with a healthy breakfast

Que7. Does losing weight lower cholesterol?

Ans- If a person is losing as little as five per cent of the bodyweight than there are chances of lowering the cholesterol levels

Que8. Does high cholesterol make you tired?

Ans- No, high cholesterol does not really cause fatigue but it can lead to heart disease.

High Cholesterol and Night Sweats | Wicked Sheets

First of all, what is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a type of fat (lipid) in your blood. To function at healthy levels, your cells need cholesterol. Your body naturally makes approximately 75% of what you need, but you also get cholesterol from the food you eat. 25% of the cholesterol that your body has comes from animal products in your food.If you have too much cholesterol, it starts to build up in your arteries, the blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart. This hardening of the arteries is called atherosclerosis. As your cholesterol levels rise, there’s a noticeable link between high cholesterol and night sweats — your body reacts to the thickening and hardening of your arteries. Blood flow (and blood pressure) speed up and your body often starts sweating. Learn more about high cholesterol and night sweats in in this blog.

To help you understand what happens inside your body, think about how a clog forms in the pipe under a kitchen sink. Like the buildup of grease in the pipe, the buildup of cholesterol narrows your arteries and makes it harder for blood to flow through them. It reduces the amount of blood that gets to your body tissues, including your heart. This can lead to serious problems, including heart attack and stroke. Decreased blood flow also means shortness of breath and flushing – hence, the high cholesterol and night sweats coinciding.

As you age, your physician will recommend that you get your cholesterol levels checked with a simple blood test since the risk of heart disease and stroke increase with age. The results of this blood test, or lipid panel, will give you a number that is represented below:

• High cholesterol is 240mg/dL or above.
• Borderline-high cholesterol is 200 to 239mg/dL.
• Best total cholesterol is less than 200mg/dL.

For more information on the link between perimenopausal/menopausal women, high cholestorol and night sweats, check out this WebMD blog.

What are the different kinds of cholesterol?

• LDL is known as the “bad” cholesterol, the kind that can clog your arteries if you have too much of it. This is the cholesterol you need to lower, if you have high cholesterol.
• HDL is the “good” cholesterol. HDL helps clear fat from your blood. You want your HDL to be high. A high HDL level is linked to a lower risk of heart disease.
• Triglycerides are another type of fat in your blood. If you have high triglycerides and high LDL, your chances of having a heart attack are higher.

What are the symptoms?

High cholesterol doesn’t necessarily make you feel sick, so sometimes when people receive their blood work results they already have narrowing arteries. Some doctors, however, report that their patients experience feelings of fatigue, pain, and/or increased sweating because of the shortage of oxygen-rich blood being delivered to the body. High cholesterol and night sweats are often found after a blood test — and you may find that after increased night sweats, high cholesterol was the root cause.

How high cholesterol is treated and why could it be the cause of your increased sweating?

Statins are the medicines most often prescribed to treat high cholesterol because of their ability to block the production of cholesterol in the liver and lower the LDL levels and triglycerides. The main types of statin drugs prescribed are: Lipitor (atorvastatin), Crestor (rosuvastatin), Zocor (simvastatin), Pravachol (pravastatin), and Mevacor (lovastatin).

Most, if not all, medications come with warnings and side effects but the one of most interest for people who are experiencing increased sweating is Nicotini Acid. Common names of this medication include: Niacin, Niaspan, and Nicolar. While high Cholesterol and night Sweats are common, your medicines may also be causing your sweating.

Nicotinic Acid, or B-Complex Vitamin treatment, is found in food, but in order to treat cholesterol is prescribed in high doses. Nicotinic acid lowers LDL cholesterol and raises HDL cholesterol levels, which serves dual purposes in your overall cholesterol health. Despite its higher levels of safety and efficacy, nicotinic acid’s main side effects are flushing, itching, tingling, and headache.

It should be mentioned that this unavoidable flushing, commonly experienced at night, is different from night sweats. Flushing is redness of the skin, typically of the neck and cheeks that may cause increased sweat production. In addition to the nicotinic acids (Niaspan, Niacin, and Nicolar) there are a number of other drugs that cause flushing: Tamoxifen, Hydralazine, Nitroglycerine, and Viagra (sildenafil).

A recent study revealed that out of over 118,000 people studied, a little over 1% of them reported excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis. The split between males and females was just about 50/50 in the experience of excessive sweating and the majority were aged between 60 years and above.

One additional data point revealed the co-morbidities, or co-existing conditions, of the subjects with high cholesterol was of particular interest. The top five co-existing conditions include: hypertension, depression, chronic pain, diabetes mellitus, and anxiety. Each one of these conditions is typically treated with a drug whose number one side effect is increased sweat production.

When you are experiencing increased sweat production and/or night sweats, first look to see what medication(s) you might be taking that could increase this likelihood. Although beneficial in the treatment of certain medical conditions or diseases, they may also be to blame for the increased severity of your sweating. And as always, talk to your doctor about any other symptoms that might be a cause of concern. Don’t let high cholesterol and night Sweats worry you – consult your doctor.

Blood Cholesterol | NHLBI, NIH

If you have been diagnosed with unhealthy levels of blood cholesterol, it is important that you continue your treatment. Follow-up care depends on your cholesterol levels, your risk of complications such as a heart attack or a stroke, and your response to treatment.

Monitor your condition

Follow up with your doctor regularly to see how well your treatment is working, whether you need to add or change medicines, and whether your health condition has changed.

• Take all medicines regularly, as prescribed. Do not change the amount of your medicine or skip a dose unless your doctor tells you to.
• Talk with your doctor about how often you should schedule office visits and blood tests.
• Call your doctor if you have any symptoms of complications or if you have problems with your blood pressure or blood sugar.
• Adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle. Your doctor will recommend that you make lifelong lifestyle changes, including heart-healthy eating, being physically active, quitting smoking, managing stress, and managing your weight. Your doctor may refer you to a dietitian to help you plan healthy meals and an exercise professional who can help you increase activity and improve your fitness level.

If heart-healthy lifestyle changes alone are not enough, your doctor may prescribe a statin or another medicine to help lower and control your high blood cholesterol levels.

If you start taking a statin or another cholesterol medicine, your doctor may order a lipid panel one to three months later to see whether the drug is working. Repeat tests may be done every three to 12 months after that to make sure your cholesterol levels remain healthy.

Learn the warning signs of serious complications and have a plan

High blood cholesterol can lead to serious cardiovascular complications, such as heart attack or stroke. If you think that you are or someone else is having the following symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately. Every minute matters.

Heart attack

Heart attack symptoms include mild or severe chest pain or discomfort in the center of the chest or upper abdomen that lasts for more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back. This discomfort can feel like pressure, squeezing, fullness, heartburn, or indigestion. There also may be pain down the left arm or in the neck. Although both men and women can experience these symptoms, women are more likely to have other, less typical symptoms, such as shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, unusual tiredness, and pain in the back, shoulders, or jaw. Read more about the signs and symptoms of a heart attack.

Stroke

If you think someone may be having a stroke, act F.A.S.T. and perform the following simple test.

F—Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

A—Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S—Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?

T—Time: If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately. Early treatment is essential.

Read more about the signs and symptoms of a stroke.

Learn about other precautions to help you stay safe while taking statins

Statins are the most common medicine used to treat high blood cholesterol. Learn some tips to stay safe if your doctor gives you statins.

• Keep taking your statin medicine as prescribed. If you started taking a statin after you recently had a heart attack, a stroke, or another complication, you should not stop taking this medicine on your own, because that can increase your risk for a repeat event or even death. Ask your doctor if you have any concerns about your medication or if you would like to stop or change to a different treatment.
• Ask your doctor what medicines, nutritional supplements, or foods you should avoid. Some of these can interact with statins to cause serious side effects or make them less effective. For example, grapefruit (fresh or as juice) affects how your liver breaks down some statins.
• Tell your doctor about any symptoms or side effects. Sometimes, people report muscle problems while taking statins. If you start having muscle pain, your doctor may order a blood test to look for muscle damage. The pain may go away if you switch to a different statin. Muscle damage with statins is rare, and your muscles may heal when you switch to a different medicine.
• If you are a woman who is planning to become pregnant, talk to your doctor about your options. You should stop taking statins about three months before getting pregnant. Also, you should not take statins if you are breastfeeding.

10 Medications That Can Cause Sleeplessness

4. SSRI antidepressants

Why they’re prescribed: SSRIs (selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors) are used to treat symptoms of moderate to severe depression. SSRIs block the reabsorption (reuptake) of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain, which may help brain cells send and receive chemical messages, easing depression. They’re called selective because they seem to primarily affect serotonin, not other neurotransmitters.

Examples: citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).

How they can cause insomnia: Just as it isn’t known exactly how SSRIs work, it isn’t known exactly how these drugs interfere with sleep. Studies have shown, however, that SSRIs cause agitation, insomnia, mild tremor and impulsivity in 10 percent to 20 percent of the people who take them.

Although about half of people who take SSRIs say that the drugs make them feel better, many continue to struggle with symptoms that can make life miserable, especially insomnia. We know this from researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, who combed through data from the STAR*D trial, the largest and longest study ever done on depression treatment, and published their findings in 2011. Almost all of the subjects in the Star*D trial, which was funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, said they continued to have problems with insomnia, with 81 percent reporting being unable to sleep in the middle of the night.

Alternatives: If you are experiencing anxiety or insomnia while on an SSRI (or any other antidepressant, for that matter), it’s important to tell your prescribing doctor right away. Sleeplessness — in itself a marker of depression — can make you even more depressed.

Because antidepressants vary in their side effects, a change in dosage or switching to another medication may help you feel better without causing insomnia or other sleep disturbances. A selective serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SSRI/SNRI), a newer-generation antidepressant, offers some advantages in improving relaxation and sleep. Of the three drugs in this category (clomipramine, duloxetine and venlafaxine), I find venlafaxine to have the least adverse side effects in older patients and to be easier to dose to a therapeutic level.

Many people find that cognitive behavior therapy works just as well as medication. (Cognitive therapy aims to help people overcome their difficulties by changing their thinking, behavior and emotional responses.) Others report success with such approaches as acupuncture, exercise, changes in diet, meditation, relaxation therapy and the like.

90,000 Signs of High Blood Cholesterol – Don’t Miss Out!

Wednesday,
18
July
2018

Starting from the age of 20, it is very important to regularly see doctors and take the necessary tests to monitor the level of cholesterol in the blood, it must be within the limits.

Cholesterol is one of the types of fat that is present in one way or another in all cells of our body and it should be noted that it is necessary for the correct functioning of all its systems.Most of the cholesterol is secreted by the liver, but it also enters the body with the food we consume. The main function that cholesterol performs is to participate in the formation of bile acids, which are responsible for the absorption of fats. It is also responsible for the production of certain sex hormones and thyroid hormones. But despite the fact that cholesterol is needed by many organs and cells of our body, it can turn into a potential killer (without exaggeration) if its level is not controlled in any way.As a result, it can lead to serious health problems, for example, with the liver or with the cardiovascular system. With high cholesterol levels, the risk of atherosclerosis (this is the accumulation of fat on the walls of the arteries, which prevents normal blood circulation) increases significantly. And given the danger of such a condition and the complexity of early diagnosis, it is very important to know about a number of symptoms that would help to suspect something was wrong. Symptoms of high cholesterol levels.

Everyone, starting from the age of 20, should be regularly examined by doctors and be sure to take a blood test to determine the level of cholesterol.It is important to do this because the symptoms will appear later, and here it is important to ensure timely treatment. Without a blood test, a person continues to lead a normal life, nothing bothers him, and the body is already suffering at this time. Nevertheless, the experts were able to identify some symptoms that may indicate an increase in blood cholesterol levels: Feeling of pain and heaviness in the liver and gallbladder Dry mouth and pallor of the mouth, often accompanied by halitosis (bad breath) Heaviness in the stomach and digestive problems, especially after consuming fatty foods Belching, gas and upset stomach after meals Changes in intestinal rhythm, tendency to constipation Desire to sleep after meals Appearance of food intolerances (certain foods) Skin rashes and itching Headaches and migraines Dizziness and problems with body coordination and balance Swelling and numbness of the extremities Vision problems Unusual agitation and restlessness during movement and physical activity

All of the above symptoms are often confused with other diseases and health problems, they can disappear spontaneously, just as they appeared.However, by ignoring the level of cholesterol, people themselves aggravate their condition (by inaction), and as a result, it will be very difficult (and sometimes impossible) for them to repair the damage. But we have good news: all of this can be avoided with a simple blood test and a healthy lifestyle. After all, the right habits help stabilize cholesterol levels naturally and at the same time stimulate liver function. How to monitor your cholesterol levels without leaving your home?

Medicines will be needed to lower cholesterol levels in most cases, but it has been proven that some people may not need them.But regardless of whether a person takes medication or not, it is better, of course, to avoid the consumption of fatty and too high-calorie foods, such as: Sausages Red meat Meat delicacies Fast food Confectionery Convenience foods Cream Butter and mayonnaise Egg yolk Instead of them, it is desirable to include Add nutritious foods to your diet, such as: Fresh fruits Vegetables Legumes Whole grains Low-fat dairy products Olive oil Lean meat Fish Flaxseeds and chia seeds It would also be nice to change the way you cook.It is better to avoid directly frying food, and bake in the oven without oil. Give preference to steaming and boiled dishes. Knowing how dangerous high blood cholesterol can be, it’s important to improve your habits and do your best to keep it under control.

General practitioner (family doctor) OGBUZ “Prokhorov Central District Hospital”

Pogorelova I.A.

90 016 90 000 what does this mean and what should be done? / State Budgetary Healthcare Institution of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug “Labytnangskaya City Hospital”

Cholesterol is an organic substance, a natural fat-soluble alcohol.In the body of all living things, it is a part of the cell wall, forming its structure and participating in the transport of substances into the cell and back.

Cholesterol exists in two forms: LDL or low density lipoprotein (LDL) is called “bad” cholesterol. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) or HDL is called “good”.

High blood cholesterol, which was not considered a problem a few decades ago, now worries many. Heart attacks and strokes claim the lives of many people, and half of them are caused by atherosclerosis of the vessels, which, in turn, is a consequence of high blood cholesterol in men and women.What does this mean, and what should be done in this case.

Determination of cholesterol is shown for the following patients:
• Women taking hormonal contraceptives for a long time;
• Women in menopause;
• Men over 35 years old;
• People at risk for heredity;
• Upon reaching a certain age;
• Suffering from diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism;
• Obese;
• Having bad habits;
• If you have symptoms of systemic atherosclerosis.

Most experts believe that sedentary work, a sedentary lifestyle, lack of regular physical activity in the fresh air, overeating, an abundance of junk food in the diet are the determining factors in the early development of atherosclerosis and the causes of high cholesterol in the population.

The norm of cholesterol can fluctuate in the range of 3.6-7.8 mmol / l. However, doctors say that any cholesterol level over 6 mmol / l is considered elevated and poses a health risk, since it can provoke atherosclerosis, in other words, clog the vessels, creating obstacles for blood flow through the veins and arteries.

Classification of blood cholesterol levels:
• Optimal – 5 mmol / L or less.
• Moderately increased – 5-6 mmol / l.
• Dangerously high cholesterol – 7.8 mmol / l.

At the same time, several types of these compounds are distinguished:
• HDL – high density lipoproteins, transport excess free cholesterol from tissues to the liver for processing and excretion.
• LDL – low density lipoproteins intended for the transport of cholesterol from the liver to the tissues.
• VLDL – very low density lipoproteins, carry endogenous cholesterol, triglycerides in the body.

Elevated cholesterol levels in the blood contribute to the development of atherosclerotic damage to the walls of blood vessels and is one of the risk factors for the development of severe cardiovascular diseases such as angina pectoris (coronary heart disease) and myocardial infarction, cerebral stroke and intermittent claudication.

Why is blood cholesterol high, what does it mean and what should be done? The risk of high cholesterol increases in the case of a hereditary predisposition, if close relatives are sick with atherosclerosis, ischemic heart disease or arterial hypertension.

With age, the risk of developing hypercholesterolemia also increases. In middle age, an increase in cholesterol is more often detected in men, however, with the onset of menopause, women become susceptible to this pathology as often as men.

However, the main causes of high cholesterol in women or men are acquired in nature:
• Wrong lifestyle of the patient: physical inactivity, smoking, alcohol abuse, frequent stressful situations;
• Concomitant diseases: obesity, diabetes mellitus, systemic connective tissue diseases;
• Culinary preferences: regular consumption of fatty foods, animal origin, insufficient amount of fresh vegetables and fruits in the diet.

All of the above factors are direct answers to why cholesterol can be increased, or rather, these are direct results of a poor-quality attitude to one’s health.
Symptoms

Here are some of the signs that can help you detect higher than normal cholesterol:
• Angina pectoris due to narrowing of the coronary arteries of the heart.
• pain in the legs during physical exertion.
• presence of blood clots and ruptured blood vessels.
• rupture of plaques and, as a consequence, heart failure.
• Xanthoma is a yellow patch on the skin, most often in the eye area.

High cholesterol itself has no symptoms. Symptoms are common in atherosclerosis, a common consequence of excess cholesterol. If you can recognize a cold by a mild runny nose, then high blood cholesterol is sometimes found only after a heart attack.

In other words, don’t wait for the signs of high cholesterol to show up. It is better to do tests for prevention every 1-5 years (depending on the risk).

How to treat high cholesterol?

A comprehensive approach is needed to reduce high blood cholesterol levels. Consult your healthcare professional for the best cholesterol control program.

Depending on the degree of risk, different methods of treatment are used:
• rejection of bad habits;
• physiotherapy exercises;
• weight loss;
• special diets;
• drug treatment.

Helps to reduce blood cholesterol in women and men:
• physical activity 5-6 times a week for 30-60 minutes;
• Do not eat foods containing trans fats;
• Eat plenty of fiber, in foods that are acceptable for a low-carbohydrate diet;
• Eat sea fish at least 2 times a week or take in Omega-3 fatty acids;
• quit smoking;
• Be a teetotaler or drink alcohol in moderation.

It should be noted the importance of regular medical examinations, because most diseases are much easier to cure at the initial stage, when practically nothing bothers a person. Remember: complications caused by high cholesterol are irreversible, and treatment does not eliminate existing problems, but only prevents the development of new ones.

In order to reduce hypercholesterolemia, you should limit cholesterol-raising foods in your diet:

red meat – beef, veal;

egg yolk;

fatty pork, lamb, lard;

offal;

sausages, sausages;

duck meat;

mayonnaise;

canned food;

easily digestible carbohydrates;

fried foods;

margarine;

coffee;

Products containing trans fats, so-called fast food: chips, crackers, etc.NS.;

high fat milk: cheese, cream, sour cream, milk, ice cream, butter, ghee;

oysters, crabs, shrimps, caviar. For example, a lobster weighing 100 grams. contains 70 mg. cholesterol.

Do not forget that, on average, only 30% of cholesterol enters the bloodstream from the outside. The rest of it is produced by the body on its own. Therefore, even if you try to reduce the level of these fats with the help of various diets, you will still not be able to “remove” a significant portion of it.

Experts recommend adhering to a cholesterol-free diet not for prophylaxis, but only for medicinal purposes, when the level of these fats is really high.

In addition to limiting foods that increase cholesterol, you can add cholesterol-lowering foods to your diet.

avocado;

wheat germ;

brown rice bran;

sesame seeds;

sunflower seeds;

pistachios;

pumpkin seeds;

pine nuts;

flaxseed;

almonds;

olive oil;

greens in any form;

wild salmon and sardines – fish oil;

blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, lingonberries, chokeberry, pomegranate, red grapes.

Also, eliminating coffee and replacing it with high-quality weak green tea can reduce cholesterol levels by 15%.

Sports activities
The easiest and most natural way to keep blood vessels in good shape is movement: physical labor, gymnastics, dancing, walking, in short, anything that brings a feeling of muscle joy. People who are physically active tend to have lower total cholesterol and higher cholesterol levels.

Walking for half an hour at a moderate pace 3–5 times a week so that the heart rate increases by no more than 10–15 beats per minute is an excellent therapy cycle.

In addition to ways such as increasing physical activity, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and eating healthy foods, a person with high cholesterol may be offered medication. # Yamalzdorov # national project demography89 # national health project 89

Reducing cholesterol: 17 tips on how to avoid heart disease