Cholesterol is found in all the cells of the body. This cholesterol is necessary for hormonal changes, vitamin D and elements required for digesting food in our body. There are two types of cholesterol, one is HDL which is called good cholesterol and the other is bad cholesterol which is called LDL. Increase in bad cholesterol in the body is considered dangerous. In simple words, cholesterol is a wax-like sticky substance which sticks to our arteries and blood circulation. Many times its particles get mixed in the blood and obstruct the blood supply. When bad cholesterol increases due to high cholesterol, it can stop the blood supply anywhere in the heart or brain. Which can cause heart attack and stroke. Now the most important thing is to know how cholesterol increases.

Causes of high cholesterol:

Unhealthy diet: The main cause of bad cholesterol is considered to be unhealthy diet. Bad cholesterol increases due to excess fat in the diet. Unhealthy fat Unhealthy fat is found in red meat, butter and full-fat dairy products. Trans fat is found in processed food.

Lack of exercise - The second biggest reason for high cholesterol is lack of physical activity. That is, not doing physical exercise. People who are obese have very high levels of bad cholesterol. Therefore, one should always keep his weight under control. 

Smoking - Smoking can be another reason for increasing the level of LDL or bad cholesterol. Smoking can reduce good cholesterol in the body and increase bad cholesterol.

Health problems - Cholesterol can increase if you have any kind of lifestyle disease or health problem. For example, if you have diabetes, high blood pressure or kidney disease, then your cholesterol can also be high.

Another reason for high cholesterol in the body can be your age and your gender. LDL cholesterol can increase with age. Men have more LDL than women. Sometimes cholesterol levels can also be high due to genetic reasons. Which test should be done for cholesterol? 

To detect cholesterol, you can get a lipid profile test done. This is a blood test for which you have to fast for 9-12 hours. This test reveals the level of LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride and total cholesterol in the body. What is the normal range of cholesterol? If your test report has arrived, the normal range of LDL cholesterol should be less than 100 mg/dL. The normal range of HDL cholesterol can be 40 mg/dL or more. The limit of triglyceride should be less than 150 mg/dL.