Why do you have elevated blood cholesterol

A number of factors—some preventable, others not—can cause abnormal cholesterol levels, or dyslipidaemia, in the blood. Here are the factors that you can control:

A Poor Diet

A poor diet which is high in both saturated and trans- fatty acids are linked to higher level of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.

You can found saturated fatty acids in fatty red meat (beef and pork) and processed meats (sausage, bacon, salami), as well as full-fat dairy products.

While you find trans fats in partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) produced by food manufacturers. It is important to double check products lists for PHOs as FDA ordered PHOs to be removed from food products.

Physical Inactivity

A sedentary lifestyle is linked to low level of HDL while staying active is linked to high HDL and low LDL and then low risk.

Obesity

Being overweight or obese increase your risk of dyslipidaemia and high cholesterol level. You need to start thinking about losing extra pound to control blood cholesterol level.

Smoking

Smoking decreases level of HDL.

Medical Conditions

Several medical conditions can adversely affect your lipid profile:

Diabetes. According to studies people who have diabetes have a high LDL cholesterol and low HDL cholesterol and this is known as diabetic dyslipidaemias. Moreover, uncontrolled blood sugar, pre =-diabetes and low insulin level have been linked with high cholesterol level. You can control diabetes by following a well-balanced diet among with appropriate exercise.

Sleep disorders. Poor sleep quality and sleep apnoea are linked to elevated level of LDL cholesterol and low level of HDL cholesterol as it affect genes regulating cholesterol level.

Thyroid dysfunction. Inactive thyroid or hypothyroidism have been linked to elevated cholesterol level and triglycerides. Correcting under active thyroid is important for lowering lipids level.

Kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease is usually accompanied by high cholesterol and lipid levels. High level may affect kidney disease progression.

Polycystic ovary syndrome. Women with this condition, caused by an imbalance of reproductive hormones, may have high LDL and low HDL levels, and are at increased risk of atherosclerosis.

Pregnancy. During pregnancy and due to hormonal changes, alterations in lipid profile may occur.

A number of prescription medications can affect cholesterol levels. Examples include:

Blood pressure medicines. Thiazide diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide), may cause temporary increases in LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Use of older beta-blocker medications, such as atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), and propranolol (Inderal), has been associated with slight increases in triglycerides and slight reductions in HDL cholesterol.

Amiodarone. This drug, marketed as Cordarone and Pacerone, is used to treat irregular heart rhythms. The medication has been linked with higher cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Antipsychotic drugs. Several medications used to treat schizophrenia and other psychotic conditions are associated with increases in total cholesterol and triglycerides. Examples of these drugs include chlorpromazine (Thorazine), haloperidol (Haldol), loxapine (Loxitane), aripiprazole (Abilify), olanzapine (Zyprexa), and risperidone (Risperdal), among others.

Corticosteroids. These potent anti-inflammatory drugs used to treat autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus have been tied to increases in LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Members of this drug class include dexamethasone, prednisone, and prednisolone.

Antidepressants. Certain medications used to treat depression, such as desvenlafaxine (Pristiq) and venlafaxine (Effexor), may be associated with increases in LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.

These medications may potentially affect your lipid profile, but the extent to which they influence your cardiovascular risk remains unclear. Also, keep in mind that, in many cases, the benefits of these medications outweigh any potential risks posed by their lipid-altering effects.

High Cholesterol Factors Beyond Your Control

Age

As we get older, we are at risk of high level of cholesterol.

Gender

Men at any life stage have lower HDL than women have. But women at menopause age they have higher level of LDL and triglycerides while the level of HDL may decline or remain the same.

Race

Some race have higher risk of high cholesterol than other do.

Family History

If you have a family history of high cholesterol level you may have high risk of getting high level. As genetics lay a key role in chronic disease and elevated cholesterol and triglycerides level.

Sources:

http://reply.universityhealthnews.com/dm?id=EFA120121DFDAFD554949DF5A71320E2D9C691D56B872331

https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/11-foods-that-lower-cholesterol