Monday, 26 August 2013

497. Cholesterol - High Cholesterol on the Body?



What Are the Effects of High Cholesterol on the Body?

        Cholesterol is a fatty, waxy substance that is needed to develop healthy cells.

        However, too much cholesterol can cause health problems. High cholesterol can be inherited or caused by unhealthy eating and lack of exercise.
       
        Prevention includes limiting foods that are high in cholesterol, exercising regularly and talking with a medical professional about any questions or types of medication.

Atherosclerosis

        Uncontrolled high cholesterol can cause atherosclerosis, which occurs when plaque builds up in the artery walls.

        Plaque is a substance that is made up of cholesterol, fat and calcium.

        When plaque builds up in the artery walls it causes the arteries to become hard and narrow.

        The arteries provide blood and oxygen to the body and when blocked, the blood and oxygen cannot pass through.

        This can result in a stroke or heart attack.

        The Heart Lung and Blood Institute reports that signs and symptoms of atherosclerosis can include
1.    chest pain,
2.    shortness of breath,
3.    numbness or
4.    pain in limbs.

Nevertheless, some people won't experience any symptoms.

Heart Attack
When cholesterol builds up in the artery walls and blocks oxygen and blood flow, a person is at risk of having a heart attack.

        During a heart attack, the plaque ruptures and forms a clot that can block the arteries from receiving blood and oxygen, and the heart muscles begin to die.

        If blood flow is restored in time, through cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, the heart can sometimes be revived.

        According to MayoClinic.com, signs and symptoms of a heart attack can include
1.    shortness of breath,
2.    chest pain,
3.    sweating,
4.    fainting,
5.    nausea and
6.    vomiting and
7.    pain beginning in the chest and
8.    PAIN radiating to
a.    the shoulder,
b.    arm,
c.    back, or
d.    even to the teeth and jaw.

People who are experiencing any of these signs and symptoms should seek medical treatment immediately
Angina
• Angina, which is characterized by the chest tightening and pain, is the result of restricted blood flow due to clogged arteries from too much bad cholesterol in the blood. Arteries become clogged and narrow because of the fatty deposits of plaque building up which restricts blood flow to the heart. Angina can often lead to coronary heart disease.

Stroke.
When the arteries to the brain become blocked or narrowed due to high cholesterol, blood and oxygen can't get to the brain. When brain cells don't get enough oxygen and blood, they begin to die and a person can suffer a stroke. Signs and symptoms include difficulty speaking or slurred speech, difficulty walking, paralysis or numbness on one side of the face or body, blurred, double or blackened vision. Some people experience a sudden, severe headache that can result in vomiting, dizziness or altered consciousness. Strokes require immediate medical treatment.
Peripheral Artery Disease
• High cholesterol also increases the chance of peripheral arterial disease. The disease is a result of leg arteries becoming blocked by plaque buildup. As a result, your legs fail to get the needed oxygen or blood and PAD develops, which is a painful disease of the leg arteries. Besides affecting the legs, PAD can raise the threat of a heart attack and other heart problems.

High Blood Pressure
• While good cholesterol doesn't cause high blood pressure, bad cholesterol does. In fact, good cholesterol can help with attaining a normal blood pressure. High levels of bad cholesterol can stick to the artery walls, as well as other blood vessels. This blocks the passageways for the blood to flow, making your heart work twice as hard. There's also a stronger force of blood on the artery walls, which leads to high blood pressure.

Function
Cholesterol helps the body produce hormones, bile acid, and vitamin D. Cholesterol moves through the bloodstream to be used by all parts of the body.
Food Sources
Cholesterol is found in eggs, dairy products, meat, and poultry. Egg yolks and organ meats (liver, kidney, sweetbread, and brain) are high in cholesterol. Fish generally contains less cholesterol than other meats, but some shellfish are high in cholesterol.
Foods of plant origin (vegetables, fruits, grains, cereals, nuts, and seeds) contain no cholesterol.
Fat content is not a good measure of cholesterol content. For example, liver and other organ meats are low in fat, but very high in cholesterol.The popular matumbo( intestines) also contains a lot of cholesterol.
For more Information please Call Joint Medical Service
Tel. 0724 255 378 (24/7)
Information compiled by Ms. Judith Odera

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