7 Things to Know About Cholesterol in order to live a healthy life!

Cholesterol is a natural component in our blood that supports bodily functions. Only when bad cholesterol causes plaque to build up in your arteries does it become a serious risk factor for heart attack, heart disease, and stroke. There are several different types of cholesterol. The most important is the bad cholesterol, also known as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. High levels of this type of cholesterol in the blood demand medication and lifestyle changes. A high cholesterol level raises the risk of heart disease. Hence, it's essential to take precautionary steps or adequate treatment.

Here are a few cholesterol-related facts to keep in mind:

High levels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) negatively impact our health

We are at risk of getting a heart attack as a result of it. Did you know that men with high cholesterol are more likely to develop a more aggressive form of prostate cancer?

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Oestrogen, the female hormone, keeps cholesterol balanced

But after menopause in women, there can be a steep rise in cholesterol. Hence, women who are past the age of 55 are at a higher risk of suffering from a heart attack.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 74 million U.S. adults have high cholesterol

Still, only less than half of them are getting the required and necessary treatment.

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Cholesterol is essential because, without it, our hormones and cells would not function properly

It helps in the production of the acids required to process fat. It is the building block of the cells in our body. Cholesterol has been in our bodies since birth; we get more of it from mother's milk. It is even added to baby formula. 

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Do you know that genetics is the essential determinant of cholesterol levels?

"Approximately 25% of cholesterol is related to nutrition, and 75% is due to genes," explains Dr. Kopecky. The amount of cholesterol our body can get rid of depends on our genes.  Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an inherited condition that affects about 1 in 200 people. People with this condition cannot get rid of the excess cholesterol.

You can tell if someone has familial hypercholesterolemia just by looking at them

Yes, you heard it right. A researcher suggested that the first known case could have been Da Vinci's "Mona Lisa."  She was painted when she was in her twenties and appeared to have visible traits of the condition: a xanthelasma (a yellowish fatty deposit) in her left eye and possibly on her left hand, too. Unfortunately, she died in her thirties.

We all know the risks of high LDL cholesterol. And the good news is that more people are getting aware of their health!

People have become more health-conscious. Hence, the prevalence of high LDL in U.S. adults has fallen during the last decade. People have started getting the right kinds of treatment at the right time. However, there's still a long way to go.