Does Cholesterol Damage Blood Vessels?

Cholesterol is an organic molecule biosynthesized by the liver in all animal cells. It is a waxy substance necessary for the production of various hormones and vitamins. The liver produces enough cholesterol to support the body. A little amount of cholesterol is also obtained from the daily food intake. However, too much cholesterol can lead to angina and heart attack.

This Story also Contains

1. Where Is Cholesterol Found In Our Body?
2. Functions Of Cholesterol
3. Good VS Bad Cholesterol
4. How Does Cholesterol Damage Blood Vessels?
5. Diagnosing High Cholesterol
6. Treating High Cholesterol levels Naturally

Cholesterol belongs to the class sterol, a type of lipid. Its chemical formula is C27H46O. Since it is not water-soluble, it remains in the blood and can easily travel to different body parts. The body has a natural way of getting rid of extra cholesterol in the blood. However, when the natural coping mechanism is compromised, an overload of cholesterol can cause damage to the blood vessels and the coronary arteries.

Where Is Cholesterol Found In Our Body?

Cholesterol is found in every cell of the body. It binds with a protein and a triglyceride molecule, together forming a particle called a lipoprotein. These lipoprotein molecules travel through the blood and help transport food substances and eliminate trash from the blood.

Functions Of Cholesterol

Cholesterol by its nature cannot be considered bad. It has many crucial functions. Below are listed a few functions:

• Production of bile: Bile acids (Cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid) is biosynthesized by the liver's hepatocyte cells from cholesterol.

• Production of Vitamin D: Vitamin D3 is produced in the skin from 7-dehydrocholesterol (7DHC), which is an intermediate in cholesterol formation.

• Production of Hormones: Cholesterol acts as a precursor molecule for the group of hormones belonging to steroids, glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and sex hormones.

• Helps in Digestion: Cholesterol helps our body to break down food and absorb nutrients in the intestines.

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Good VS Bad Cholesterol

There are two types of lipoproteins that carry cholesterol throughout the body. These are:

• LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol: LDL, also known as bad cholesterol, increases the risk of heart disease.

• HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol: HDL, also known as good cholesterol, absorbs cholesterol in the blood and carries it back to the liver. High levels of HDL cholesterol lower the risk of heart disease.

When the level of LDL increases, LDL cholesterol builds up on the walls of the blood vessels. This condition is called Plaque formation, which may cause heart disease and even stroke.

How Does Cholesterol Damage Blood Vessels?

Hyperlipidemia

An abnormally high level of tri glyceraldehyde and cholesterol in the blood causes a condition called hyperlipidemia. The most commonly identified cause of hyperlipidemia is lifestyle such as lack of physical activity and an unbalanced diet. It may also be elevated by certain underlying health conditions (including kidney disease, diabetes, liver disease, Thyroid, and PCOS), obesity, certain medicines (including corticosteroids, Diuretics, Birth control pills, etc.), smoking, and alcohol consumption. However, it can also be genetically inherited. According to a recent study, individuals with untreated or undiagnosed hyperlipidemia are twice as likely to develop heart diseases as people with normal cholesterol levels. In other words, hyperlipidemia can be defined as increased LDL (Low-density lipoprotein) and a decreased HDH (High-Density Lipoprotein).

Symptoms of Hyperlipidemia

Generally, Hyperlipidemia does not show any signs and symptoms until it advances to a severe state i.e. heart attack or stroke. This occurs due to the formation of Plaque in the arteries causing blockage and damage to the blood vessels.

Atherosclerosis

The hardening of the arteries due to the deposition of fat and cholesterol is called Atherosclerosis. These deposits are called plaques and are sticky in nature. These deposits can block or narrow the arteries. Plaque collects on the walls of the artery and blocks the blood vessels. Sometimes a small clump of plaque may break off and float along the blood circulation toward the heart or brain. If it gets stuck in blood vessels, it can even cause a heart attack or a stroke.

Aneurysm

The plaque can also weaken an artery, a condition called an aneurysm. An aneurysm can cause life-threatening bleeding.

Diagnosing High Cholesterol

High Cholesterol level is diagnosed by conducting a Lipid Panel Test. It is a blood test that measures the level of tri glyceraldehyde, LDL, HDL, and total cholesterol. Since Hyperlipidemia does not show any early signs or symptoms, one should try to conduct a lipid panel test every year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cholesterol tests should start at the age of 20 to prevent coronary artery diseases.

Treating High Cholesterol levels Naturally

An elevated level of cholesterol can be treated by bringing major lifestyle changes such as, consuming Omega 3 Fatty acids, avoiding trans fats, increasing fibre and fruit intake, and maintaining a healthy body weight. One should also include at least 30-40 minutes of physical activity in their daily routine. Physical activity can be as simple as brisk walking. Physical activities increase the level of HDL and decrease the levels of LDL. However, uncontrolled levels of cholesterol need monitoring and medications as prescribed by the clinician.

Thus, cholesterol should not always be considered bad. A normal cholesterol level is required to produce various vitamins and hormones. They act as building blocks of the body. However, elevated levels of cholesterol cause a condition called hyperlipidemia. It damages the blood vessels, forms plaque, and causes coronary artery diseases.

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