Verified on 03/28/2024 by Alexane Flament, Editor
Excess bad cholesterol is a disorder that can be very dangerous. In fact, in the long term, this high rate increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Are there any symptoms to watch out for? We will explain everything to you.
What is excess cholesterol?
Cholesterol occurs naturally in the body and helps it function properly. When we talk about “bad” cholesterol or excess cholesterol, we are talking about LDL.
The latter promotes the formation of deposits on the arteries, which gradually causes a loss of elasticity in them as well as a reduction in their diameter. In France, 12 million French people suffer from excess LDL cholesterol.
In opposition to bad cholesterol, we find good cholesterol: HDL cholesterol. Its mission is to trap excess cholesterol present in the blood. It stimulates its elimination by the liver.
The latter has the effect of reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Generally, cholesterol levels increase with age.
Signs that indicate excess cholesterol
Cholesterol is a silent disease. This is why, after a certain age, this rate must be checked regularly. Indeed, after several years of too high levels, cholesterol forms deposits on the walls of the arteries. We talk aboutatherosclerosis.
However, this disease does not cause any symptoms for years. However, the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the affected organs can decrease considerably, eventually causing symptoms.
Other diseases can appear as a result of high cholesterol levels. These may include heart disease, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease.
So, there are symptoms to watch out for, including:
- Sharp, persistent pain in the chest;
- Numbness in the leg or arm;
- Arm or leg very pale, bluish or a distinct color change;
- Fatigue, increased weakness, or unexplained weight loss;
- Weakness on one side of the body, arm or leg.
In all cases, the presence of symptoms is an alarming sign that requires medical consultation as soon as possible.
Health journalist
March 28, 2024, at 11:54 a.m.
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