Why It’s Important to Keep Your Cholesterol in Control

Cholesterol is an essential fat-like substance present in our blood and our cells. Most of the cholesterol is produced in our liver, and the rest of it is extracted from our diet. Cholesterol travels through your bloodstream in bundled packets known as lipoproteins.

Our bodies contain a couple of different cholesterol types:

LDL (Low-density lipoprotein): This is the harmful type of unhealthy cholesterol that can build up in our arteries and form waxy, fatty deposits restricting blood flow.

HDL (High-density lipoprotein): This is the other kind of healthy cholesterol that transports an excess amount of cholesterol out of our arteries to our liver which then removes it from our body.

Having high levels of LDL can be detrimental to our health. It can affect us in the following ways.

Affects our circulatory and cardiovascular systems

When we have too much LDL present in our body, it can clog our arteries. This hardens the arteries and makes the blood flow difficult. The hardening of arteries is known as atherosclerosis. Since the blood flow is impacted, our heart needs to work harder to maintain the same flow level. However, over time, plaque builds inside the arteries which may lead to heart diseases.

The buildup of plaque in our arteries can also disrupt the flow of blood that is rich with oxygen to our heart muscle. This causes chest pain known as angina. Angina is not actually a heart attack, but it's just a temporary disruption in our blood flow.

Affects our endocrine system

Our body has hormone-producing glands that use cholesterol to produce hormones like testosterone, cortisol, and estrogen. Hormones also affect our body's cholesterol level. For example, during the menstrual cycle, estrogen level rises, and so does the HDL, but LDL declines. This might be one of the reasons why women are at a higher risk of heart diseases after their menopause.  

Affects our digestive system

Our digestive needs to produce bile that helps us break down food and absorb essential nutrients in the intestines. To produce bile, our body requires cholesterol. However, if we have too much cholesterol, the excess can develop into hard stones in our gallbladder.

If you're struggling with a high cholesterol level, seek professional help as you may be at risk of heart disease and other health problems. In case of complications, reach out to FastDocNow; they offer online health services.

They also offer online prescription refills, in-home lab testing, and much more. Contact them today to learn more about their virtual health services.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

6 Benefits of Birth Control Pills

Image
Birth control pills are usually taken for preventing pregnancy. Women of different ages have used these pills to avoid getting pregnant since they were first approved by the FDA  in 1960.  But they also have several other benefits.   Most of these pills have little to no side effects, hence they are used by many women. However, it's risky to take a birth control pill if you're a smoker or have high blood pressure. Birth control pills are also not recommended to those having clotting disorders. Always use an online consultation service from a doctor before trying these. Following are some essential benefits of birth control pills: REDUCED RISK OF ANEMIA Some women are at risk of heavy bleeding when on periods. This heavy bleeding can increase the risk of anemia. Anemia can cause weakness and fatigue, which can impact your daily life. Birth control pills help you in skipping your period to reduce the risk of anemia. REDUCED RISK OF OVARIAN CYSTS Ovarian cysts can cause a lo...
Read more

Is Telemedicine Beneficial for Seniors?

Image
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, we have become more cautious about contracting a disease from our environment. This is one of the main reasons why telehealth services became so popular during the pandemic. They offered people a safe way to consult their doctors and get medical services without compromising their health. People have become accustomed to telemedicine due to its convenience and many other prominent benefits. It’s especially beneficial to seniors, who find it hectic to visit a doctor’s clinic for every checkup due to their old age. Let’s look at how seniors can benefit from virtual medical care. Zero Traveling Time People get physically weaker as they grow old.  Seniors may find it tiring to drive long distances during rush hours and get stuck in traffic jams. Not only can it discourage them from visiting their doctors for regular checkups, but traveling can put them under a lot of stress and worsen their health conditions. Virtual medical care eliminates the traveling ti...
Read more

Why Should You Consider Booking a Virtual Medical Consultation?

Image
We live in a world that's more connected than ever. One of the benefits of increased connectivity and better communication is greater convenience. We have everything at our fingertips, from instant food deliveries to cab bookings.     With the advent of virtual healthcare services, consulting a doctor isn’t any different anymore. You can now easily book our medical appointments from your couch. If you're still skeptical about using virtual medical services, you're not alone. However, its benefits outweigh its negligible drawbacks. Here are some compelling reasons why you should consider booking a virtual medical appointment. It allows doctors to attend to more patients Our healthcare system is overburdened. We need to wait for several days, and sometimes even several weeks, to schedule our medical appointments. However, your health isn’t something you should compromise on.   With the rise of telehealth services , we no longer have to wait to schedule appointments. Virtual...
Read more