What is cholesterol?
High cholesterol is a noteworthy diagnosis and means that there are too many lipids, or fats, in the blood.
The body only needs an adequate amount of lipids to function and simply cannot use an excess dose. This remaining, excess fat accumulates in the arteries and turns into fatty deposits, plaques. When an artery becomes clogged with plaque, the risk of developing life-threatening pathologies increases.
Unfortunately, the danger progresses silently, asymptomatically, and it is possible to find out the cholesterol level only through a blood test. Imagine what a silent pathology we are dealing with, for example, a person may be a marathon runner, but have a cholesterol level in the blood at a dangerous level.
High cholesterol can be both a symptom of a disease and a contributing cause of the pathology.
The process of increasing the cholesterol level in the blood can begin even in childhood. That is why, according to modern guidelines, determining the cholesterol level is recommended from childhood.
Cholesterol screening is recommended at the following intervals:
- Every 5 years for children and adolescents over 9 years of age;
- Every 5 years for men under 45 years of age;
- Every 1 or 2 years for men between 45 and 65 years of age;
- Every year for men over 65 years of age;
- Every 5 years for women under 55 years of age;
- Every 1 or 2 years for women between 55 and 65 years of age;
- Every year for women over 65 years of age.
Please note that this is a general guideline and the frequency of screening may be more intensive depending on the specific clinical case, taking into account the patient's personal or family history.
Both genetic predisposition and lifestyle contribute to the increase in blood cholesterol levels.
Risk factors include:
- Tobacco;
- Severe stress;
- Alcohol;
- Inactive lifestyle;
- Diet.
Source:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11918-cholesterol-high-cholesterol-diseases
