How High Cholesterol Leads to Cardiovascular Disease

As we mark World Heart Day 2024, a day dedicated to raising awareness about cardiovascular disease, it’s important to focus on one of the most significant risk factors, which is high cholesterol. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of death in Australia and around the world, hence understanding the relationship between cholesterol levels and heart health is essential for preventing serious conditions like heart attacks and strokes. In this blog post, we’ll explore how high cholesterol leads to cardiovascular disease, the risk factors involved, and how you can take proactive steps to protect your heart.

What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a fatty substance produced by your liver and found in certain foods. It plays a vital role in building cells and producing hormones. However, when there’s too much cholesterol in your blood, it can lead to serious health problems. Cholesterol travels through your bloodstream on proteins called lipoproteins, and it comes in two main types:

Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL)

Often referred to as “bad” cholesterol, LDL can build up in the walls of your arteries, leading to blockages that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL)

Known as “good” cholesterol, HDL helps remove LDL from the arteries, reducing your risk of heart disease.

How High Cholesterol Contributes to Cardiovascular Disease

When your body has an excess of LDL cholesterol, it starts to accumulate on the walls of your arteries in the form of plaque—a sticky, hard substance that narrows the arteries and makes it more difficult for blood to flow through. This process is known as atherosclerosis.

As the plaque builds up, it can cause a variety of problems:

• Reduced Blood Flow: Narrowed arteries restrict blood flow to the heart and other organs, leading to conditions such as angina (chest pain) or peripheral artery disease.

• Blood Clots: If a plaque ruptures, it can cause a blood clot to form. This clot can block the flow of blood completely, resulting in a heart attack or stroke.

• Heart Attacks: When a coronary artery becomes fully blocked, it can stop the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle, causing the muscle to die. This is what is commonly known as a heart attack.

• Strokes: Similarly, if blood flow to the brain is blocked, it can result in a stroke, causing brain damage and potentially leading to long-term disability or death.

Risk Factors for High Cholesterol

Several factors can contribute to high cholesterol levels, including:

• Unhealthy Diet: Consuming too much saturated fat, trans fats, and cholesterol-rich foods can raise your LDL levels. But you don’t have to navigate this alone. At Southport Doctors, our experienced dietitian is here to help you develop a balanced, heart-healthy diet tailored to your specific needs. If you’re looking to lower your cholesterol or simply improve your overall health, our dietitian provides personalised advice and support to guide you towards better eating habits.

• Lack of Physical Activity: Regular exercise helps boost HDL (good) cholesterol while lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol.

• Smoking: Smoking damages the walls of your blood vessels, making them more susceptible to plaque buildup.

• Family History: Genetics can play a role in how your body processes cholesterol.

• Age and Gender: As you age, your cholesterol levels naturally increase. Women are also more likely to develop high cholesterol after menopause

Southport Doctors Are Here to Help

The good news is that high cholesterol is both preventable and manageable. Regular health check-ups, a balanced diet, and an active lifestyle are key components in maintaining healthy cholesterol levels and reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease. At Southport Doctors, our team of healthcare professionals, including our experienced general practitioners and dietitians, are here to support you every step of the way.

Don’t wait until it’s too late—take control of your heart health today. Call us here to schedule your appointment and start your journey towards a healthier heart.