High cholesterol is a silent condition: it usually causes no symptoms, so many people find out only after a blood test or a heart problem. This guide from Dr. Praveen MP, General Physician in Electronic City, Bangalore, explains the symptoms, risk factors and prevention of high cholesterol in simple words.
What Is High Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a fatty substance your body needs to build cells and make hormones. Problems start when too much "bad" LDL cholesterol circulates in the blood and slowly builds up as plaque in the artery walls. Over the years, this plaque narrows the arteries and raises the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Your blood carries three main fats: LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol and triglycerides. High LDL, high triglycerides or low HDL together are called an unhealthy lipid profile, or dyslipidemia.
Symptoms of High Cholesterol
High cholesterol rarely causes symptoms by itself, so a blood test is the only reliable way to know your numbers. Warning signs usually appear only after plaque has narrowed the arteries or fat has deposited in the skin:
• Chest pain or pressure (angina), especially during walking or exertion
• Breathlessness on light activity
• Unusual tiredness or fatigue
• Yellow skin patches, often soft yellowish plaques on the eyelids near the inner corners of the eyes (xanthelasma), or fatty lumps on the skin or tendons (xanthomas)
• Leg pain while walking that eases with rest, which can mean narrowed leg arteries
These signs can have other causes, but they should never be ignored. Severe chest pain, pain spreading to the arm, jaw or back, heavy sweating or sudden breathlessness is an emergency: go to the nearest hospital immediately.
Risk Factors of High Cholesterol
Some risk factors can be changed, and some cannot. Knowing both helps you decide when to get tested.
Lifestyle factors you can change
• Unhealthy diet: fried foods, sweets, bakery items, processed snacks and too much ghee or butter
• Physical inactivity and long hours of sitting
• Smoking and tobacco use
• Obesity, especially belly fat
• Excess alcohol
Medical conditions linked to high cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
• PCOD / PCOS
• Kidney or liver disease
• High blood pressure, which adds to heart risk together with high cholesterol
Factors you cannot change
• Family history: some people inherit very high cholesterol (familial hypercholesterolemia), even if they are slim and active
• Increasing age
• Some medicines, so tell your doctor about everything you take
People of South Asian origin tend to develop heart disease at a younger age, so checking cholesterol early matters, especially with a family history.
How Is High Cholesterol Diagnosed? The Lipid Profile Test
A lipid profile is a simple blood test that measures total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides. Many labs ask you to fast for 9 to 12 hours first, so ask your doctor or lab how to prepare.
These are general guidelines. Your own target depends on your overall heart risk, and people with diabetes or existing heart disease are often advised lower LDL levels. Your doctor will explain what your numbers mean and how often you should repeat the test.
How to Prevent High Cholesterol: 8 Simple Tips
Most people can improve their cholesterol with steady daily habits. These tips also protect your heart, blood sugar and weight.
1. Eat heart-healthy food. Fill your plate with vegetables, fruits, oats, whole grains, pulses, nuts and seeds. Cook with less oil.
2. Cut down fried and processed food. Limit sweets, bakery items, packaged snacks, reused frying oil and too much ghee or butter.
3. Exercise daily. Aim for a brisk walk, jog, cycling or swimming for about 30 minutes on most days of the week.
4. Quit smoking and tobacco. Quitting lowers your heart attack risk and supports healthy HDL.
5. Reach and keep a healthy weight. Even modest weight loss, especially around the waist, can improve your numbers.
6. Limit alcohol.
7. Control diabetes, thyroid, PCOD and blood pressure. Take your medicines and attend follow-ups, because these conditions affect cholesterol.
8. Get a lipid profile test. Test regularly, and earlier if you have a family history, diabetes, obesity or other risk factors.
If your doctor prescribes a cholesterol-lowering medicine, take it as advised and do not stop it on your own, even when you feel well.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Book a lipid profile test and a heart-risk check-up if any of these apply to you:
• You have never had your cholesterol checked
• Heart disease, stroke or high cholesterol runs in your family, especially at a young age
• You have diabetes, obesity, an underactive thyroid, PCOD or high blood pressure
• You smoke or use tobacco
• You notice chest discomfort, breathlessness, unusual tiredness or yellow patches around the eyes
Go to the nearest hospital immediately for severe chest pain, pain spreading to the arm, jaw or back, heavy sweating or sudden breathlessness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have high cholesterol and feel completely fine? Yes. High cholesterol usually has no symptoms, which is why it is called a silent condition.
Can slim people have high cholesterol? Yes. Genes, diet, an underactive thyroid, diabetes and inactivity can raise cholesterol even when your weight is normal.
Do I need to stop eating eggs completely? Not always. For most people, saturated and trans fats raise blood cholesterol more than the cholesterol in food. Ask your doctor what suits you, especially if you have diabetes or heart disease.
Can cholesterol be controlled without medicine? Many people with mildly raised levels improve with diet, exercise and weight loss. Others, especially those with high heart risk or inherited high cholesterol, also need medicines. Your doctor will decide.
How often should I test my cholesterol? This depends on your age and risk factors. Your doctor will advise a schedule, and people with risk factors usually need more frequent testing.
Consult Dr. Praveen MP in Electronic City, Bangalore
Know your numbers and protect your heart. Dr. Praveen MP helps patients with cholesterol checks, heart-risk assessment and lifestyle guidance, along with diabetes, thyroid and PCOD care.
Dr. Praveen MP MBBS, DPM (NIMHANS), MD – General Medicine General Physician | Internal Medicine Consultant Thyroid | PCOD | Diabetologist Electronic City, Bangalore Phone: +91 7892377288 Website: www.drpraveenmp.co.in
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