2023-11-09 20:02:44
Title: How to Detect and Prevent High Cholesterol Levels: Physical Signs and Lifestyle Changes
As of: November 9th, 2023, 7:02 p.m
By: Kilian Bäuml
Elevated cholesterol levels promote diseases such as heart attacks and are bad for your health. You can tell from certain signs whether the values are too high.
Kassel – High cholesterol levels can be harmful to your health. For example, it can lead to cardiovascular diseases, which are one of the most common causes of death in Germany. The high cholesterol value is often only diagnosed by a doctor when symptoms already exist. However, there are signs to look out for to detect high cholesterol early.
“Cholesterol is vital for our body,” Regine Brinkmann told the Pharmacy newspaper. She is a senior physician at the Clinic for General and Interventional Cardiology and Angiology in the North Rhine-Westphalia Heart and Diabetes Center. Cholesterol helps to stabilize the cell membrane, produce hormones and maintain nerve functions.
High cholesterol levels: These external features can be signs
LDL and HDL cholesterol are two different types of cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is called the bad cholesterol and HDL cholesterol is called the good cholesterol. While LDL cholesterol is deposited in the vessels and thereby increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, HDL cholesterol transports away excess LDL cholesterol, informs the Health Knowledge Foundation. Elevated HDL cholesterol levels do not cause any specific symptoms.
An indication of increased LDL cholesterol levels are skin changes caused by fat deposits. These so-called xanthomas usually have a yellowish color and look like pimples. They occur particularly frequently on arms, legs, buttocks and eyelids. Therefore, high cholesterol levels can often be seen on the face.
Further physical symptoms usually only arise when cholesterol levels are elevated over a long period of time. Don’t ignore these physical signs: Shortness of breath, impaired consciousness, tightness in the chest, dizziness, visual disturbances, painful legs
Prevent high cholesterol levels: Help with signs of high levels
There are a few things you can do to avoid high cholesterol levels. A healthy lifestyle is of great importance here. The German Heart Foundation advises people to avoid alcohol, avoid being overweight and stop smoking. A balanced diet can help prevent high cholesterol levels and is also important for a healthy cardiovascular system.
Exercise also helps lower cholesterol levels. “Endurance sports such as Nordic walking, cycling, cross-country skiing and swimming, but also dancing, football and tennis are recommended. If you haven’t been very active, start with brisk walks. If the weather is bad or there is no opportunity to exercise, you can also use the exercise bike or treadmill,” explained heart expert Ulrich Laufs of the Heart Foundation. (kiba)
Editor’s note
The information provided in this article does not replace seeing a doctor. Only professionals can make the correct diagnosis and initiate appropriate therapy. The use of medication or nutritional supplements should be discussed with a doctor beforehand.
This article was created using machine assistance and reviewed by the editorial team.]
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