The Silent Risk Factor 

As our lives get busier, it is easy to ignore our health unless we see signs of a problem or feel too sick to function as usual. Maintaining good health involves not only taking care of obvious injuries or pain but also remembering that there are silent risk factors that can be dangerous if not addressed before there is proof something is wrong. Having persistently high cholesterol is one such risk. 

First, what is cholesterol, and why is it a silent health risk? 

Cholesterol is the amount of fat in your blood. Everyone needs cholesterol for normal body function, but hyperlipidemia or hypercholesterolemia occurs when there is too much. The extra lipids or fats mix with other substances in the blood to form plaque (fatty deposits) in the arteries. High cholesterol is dangerous because it does not indicate it is too high until it is too late or when pieces of this plaque fall off the arteries and into the circulation. Broken plaque in the bloodstream can cause blockage of vessels leading to the heart, lungs, or brain and result in a heart attack or stroke.  

What are some risk factors for high cholesterol? 

Genetics play a big role , as some people just make more cholesterol than their bodies need. We cannot change the way we are made, but we can control our lifestyle choices. 

  • Smoking and tobacco use: Smoking lowers your “good cholesterol” (HDL) and raises your “bad cholesterol” (LDL). 
  • Being under a lot of stress: Stress triggers hormonal changes that cause your body to produce cholesterol. 
  • Drinking alcohol: Too much alcohol in your body can
  • raise your total cholesterol. 
  • Not moving around enough: Physical activity like aerobic exercise improves cholesterol. If you have a desk job or sit a lot in your free time, your body won’t produce enough “good cholesterol.” 
  • Diet: Some foods may raise or lower cholesterol. Sometimes, healthcare providers recommend dietary changes or a visit with a nutritionist to discuss your diet. 
  • How does high cholesterol affect my body? 
  • High cholesterol is a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). When fatty plaque blocks your arteries, it prevents the heart from getting enough blood to function normally, often leading to a heart attack or worse. 
  • Hyperlipidemia can result in blockage of the carotid arteries which carry blood to the large, front part of your brain. When plaque narrows these arteries, the brain cannot get enough oxygen-rich blood, and that is when a transient ischemic attack (TIA or “mini-stroke”) or a stroke is likely to happen. 
  • Blocking your arteries by fatty plaque (arteriosclerosis) can also lead to Peripheral artery disease (PAD). PAD refers to the arteries in your legs and arms that are away from your heart and the center of your body, and they will be unable to do a good job delivering blood to your hands and feet. 
  • High blood pressure (hypertension) and high cholesterol are linked. Cholesterol plaque and calcium cause arteries to become stiff and narrow. So, the heart has to strain much more complicated to pump blood through them. As a result, blood pressure becomes too high. Other chronic conditions affected by arteriosclerosis include: 
  • Chronic kidney disease 
  • Thyroid disease, 
  • Diabetes 
  • Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) 
  • Lupus 
  • and Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) 

What can I do to lower my cholesterol risk factors?

Talk with your primary care provider about a plan that will work for you. This plan will consider your lifestyle, genetic predisposition, and any other health issues or medications that are contributing factors. 

Disclaimer: This is not a medical consultation. It should not replace the instructions to manage your specific medical condition given by your doctor or medical provider. 

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