High cholesterol means there is too much fat in the blood. If left unchecked, fat can settle to blood vessels and block blood flow. This condition will cause a number of diseases, including hypertension and heart disease.
To avoid various diseases due to high cholesterol, you need to keep cholesterol levels normal. High cholesterol or hypercholesterolemia that is left can make your blood vessels narrow and harden (atherosclerosis). This condition will make you vulnerable to various diseases.
Various diseases due to high cholesterol
Here are some diseases that occur due to high cholesterol:
1. High blood pressure
High blood pressure (hypertension) occurs when the pressure in the blood vessels exceeds normal. One reason is the buildup of cholesterol which makes blood vessels constrict, so the heart needs to work harder and put extra pressure to pump blood. If left unchecked, over time the heart's performance will also be affected.
2. Coronary heart disease
High cholesterol levels in the blood can cause a buildup of fat or plaque on the walls of blood vessels, including blood vessels in the heart (coronary arteries). This can make blood flow to the heart be reduced and coronary heart disease occurs. If not treated immediately, a heart attack can occur.
3. Stroke
Not only in the heart's blood vessels, fat can also accumulate in the brain's blood vessels. If blood flow to the brain is blocked, this organ will lack nutrients and oxygen, so a stroke occurs.
4. Peripheral artery disease
Blockage of blood vessels due to high cholesterol can also occur in small blood vessels. This condition is known as peripheral arterial disease. Blood vessels that are often affected by peripheral arterial disease are blood vessels in the legs and feet. Even in some cases, blockages also occur in blood vessels in the kidneys.
Tips for controlling cholesterol levels
To reduce the risk of the emergence of the above diseases, you need to control cholesterol levels. This step can be done by implementing a healthy lifestyle, such as regulating a healthy and nutritionally balanced diet, accompanied by regular exercise.
The recommended diet for controlling cholesterol levels is a diet that is low in saturated fat, and rich in soluble dietary fiber. Examples are whole grains, wheat, brown rice, fruits, and vegetables.
If your daily food intake is not enough to meet your fiber needs, you can take supplement products that have similar ingredients. For example supplements in the form of drinks that are more practical for consumption.
Look for products with the words 'rich in soluble food fiber' or 'soluble fiber', and say 'can help reduce cholesterol' on the label. Make sure the beverage product has been researched and approved by the BPOM (Food and Drug Supervisory Agency).
Read the packaging label carefully when buying a product. You can choose products that contain beta glucan and inulin. Both of these substances are soluble food fiber types that are useful to support the performance of the digestive system, and help reduce cholesterol levels.
It would be better if the product also contains vitamins B1 and B2, which can help the body digest fats and carbohydrates, then convert it to energy.
Don't forget to take at least 30 minutes a day to exercise, at least 3-5 times a week. You can jog, swim, gymnastics, or yoga. Choose the type of exercise that you like, the important thing is you can do it consistently.
To avoid the risk of various diseases caused by high cholesterol, you need to make prevention efforts as early as possible. This can be done by living a healthy lifestyle and recognizing the signs of high cholesterol.
Do not hesitate to consult a doctor, especially if you have experienced symptoms of the above diseases, or have risk factors for suffering from high cholesterol, such as obesity and heredity.
It should be understood that high cholesterol can not only occur in the elderly, busyness and poor lifestyle can also make you who are still productive at risk of experiencing high cholesterol. Remember, prevention is better than cure!
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