What causes excess cholesterol? What leads to excess cholesterol in the blood? Cholesterol is an important blood fat that is useful in a variety of activities in our body. However, excess cholesterol leads to a health risk for vascular and heart diseases, and stroke. A diet high in processed carbohydrates, sugars, saturated fats and especially animal fat, margarine and butter, trans fats and more can lead to high cholesterol. What causes of high cholesterol are there besides diet and genetics? Does age affect blood cholesterol levels? What are the main causes of excess cholesterol in the blood?
High cholesterol is caused by a variety of reasons. Excess cholesterol is defined as values of bad LDL cholesterol above 70 milligrams per deciliter. Good cholesterol found at levels below 40 mg per dL is also considered an abnormal value. Total cholesterol levels of 200 milligrams per deciliter or more are considered high and abnormal.
When a person is diagnosed as having high cholesterol, it is important to consult a specialist, undergo a comprehensive diagnosis of the causes of excess cholesterol and use the route of a comprehensive treatment plan. This will provide an answer to possible drug treatment for high cholesterol, lifestyle changes such as weight loss, dietary changes, increasing physical activity, reducing stress and tension, medication changes and monitoring, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and medical conditions that may underlie excess cholesterol.
7 reasons for high blood cholesterol
So what are the causes of high cholesterol? What causes excess cholesterol in the blood? What factors besides genetics and diet can affect blood lipids? Does mental stress affect excess cholesterol in the blood?
Below are some common lifestyle factors that can contribute to high cholesterol. Treating them may have a significant positive effect on cholesterol:
- Diet: Eating a diet rich in saturated trans fats can raise blood cholesterol levels. Foods such as red meat, full-fat dairy products and processed foods are rich in saturated and trans fats.
- Lack of physical activity: Regular physical activity can help raise “good” cholesterol (HDL) levels and reduce “bad” cholesterol (LDL) levels. A sedentary lifestyle and a lack of physical activity will contribute to high cholesterol.
- Obesity: Being overweight or obese can raise cholesterol levels.
- Smoking: Smoking may damage the artery walls and increase the risk of developing high cholesterol.
- Mental pressure, emotional distress, tension, stress are related to an increase in cholesterol.
- Using certain medications such as birth control pills may increase blood cholesterol levels.
- Certain medical conditions and diseases related to the production of cholesterol in the blood such as thyroid problems or diabetes.
As mentioned, while genetics can play a role, lifestyle factors are the main cause of high cholesterol in most people. Making healthy lifestyle choices, such as eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking and managing stress, can help reduce the risk of developing high cholesterol and related health conditions. Along with this, we can advise the attending physician on the use of medications and other methods to lower cholesterol that are suitable for the treatment and the changes we make.