High Cholesterol

High cholesterol which is also clinically known as hypercholesterolemia involves the presence of high level of cholesterol in the blood. This is not considered as a disease but rather it is a metabolic disarrangement which can be secondary to a disease and can help contribute to other many forms of diseases most notable are cardiovascular diseases

There are a number of factors that may cause high cholesterol and some are mentioned below:

Heredity

Ones genes influence high blood cholesterol as it affects how fast LDL (bad cholesterol) is made and removed from the blood.

Weight

An excess weight also increase cholesterol level, losing weight can help in lowering ones cholesterol level.

Physical activity and exercise

Regular activities and exercise help lower the cholesterol level.

Age and Sex

Women usually have lower cholesterol level compared to men before menopausal stage but after the age 50 women usually develop a higher level of cholesterol. Studies also show that cholesterol level rises as one age.

Alcohol Intake

Moderate alcohol intake, around 1to 2 drinks, helps increase HDL or good cholesterol but it does not lower LDL.

Mental Stress

Some studies show that too much stress raises blood cholesterol level over a long term. Stress may do this in a way by affecting ones habits. As an example, some people under stress find consolation by eating fatty foods which contribute to higher level of blood cholesterol.

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