Can cholesterol levels rise without causing any symptoms? Understand how it can become a silent killer.

News Topical, Digital Desk : High cholesterol is a major cause of heart attacks and heart disease, but it's often called the silent killer. It gets this name because the signs of high cholesterol don't appear until the condition becomes very serious.Therefore, it's important to understand how to detect cholesterol early and how it becomes a silent killer. Let's find the answers to these questions. 

Why is cholesterol dangerous?

Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in our blood. The body needs a certain amount of good cholesterol (HDL), but if the amount of bad cholesterol increases, it can build up in the arteries.

Are there symptoms of high cholesterol?

The simple answer is no. High cholesterol usually doesn't cause any symptoms. A person may feel perfectly healthy while plaque slowly builds up inside their arteries. However, when the condition becomes severe, the body may display some signs, such as: 

• Tingling in hands and feet – Numbness may be felt in hands and feet due to obstruction of blood flow in the nerves.
• Yellow spots on the skin – Some people start seeing small yellow spots on the corners of their eyes or eyelids, which are a sign of cholesterol accumulation.
• Shortness of breath or fatigue – Due to lack of adequate oxygen reaching the heart, one starts feeling tired even with simple tasks.
• Chest discomfort – If the arteries become too blocked, it can cause chest pain.

How does it become a silent killer?

Cholesterol can harm the body in many ways, such as-

• Plaque buildup – When there's too much bad cholesterol in the blood, it begins to stick to the walls of your arteries. Over time, it hardens and forms plaque.
• Narrowing of the arteries – As plaque builds up, the arteries become narrower and stiffer. This leaves less room for blood flow and increases blood pressure .
• Disruption of blood circulation – This process can continue painlessly for years. The body tries to adjust to this change, so the patient doesn't feel anything.
• Heart attack or stroke – When arteries become completely blocked or there is very little room for blood flow, it causes a heart attack or stroke.

How to find out?

Because it doesn't cause symptoms, the only way to treat it is through regular lipid profile tests, especially if you have a family history of high cholesterol.

• Avoid saturated and trans fats. Eat a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and fiber .
• Exercise helps increase good cholesterol, which is helpful in reducing bad cholesterol.
• Gaining weight directly affects cholesterol levels, so try to maintain a healthy weight. 

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