Causes of Elevated Cholesterol Levels
The increase in cholesterol levels can be attributed to various factors, including dietary choices, lifestyle habits, genetics, and, in less common cases, specific health issues affecting the kidneys, thyroid gland, or liver.
Unhealthy Habits
Leading an unhealthy lifestyle is one of the most common reasons behind elevated cholesterol levels.
Poor Nutrition
Several food types can contribute to increased cholesterol levels in the body. Trans fats, found in commercial baked goods like chips and microwave popcorn, are significant culprits. Saturated fats, which are prevalent in animal products, as well as cholesterol-rich foods such as red meats, full-fat dairy products, organ meats, and eggs, also play a role. Although organ meats and eggs are high in cholesterol, their impact on blood cholesterol levels is relatively minimal. The key aspect to consider is the total intake of saturated fats from dietary sources.
Lack of Physical Activity
Engaging in regular physical exercise can enhance levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), commonly referred to as “good” cholesterol, while simultaneously reducing the harmful effects of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), known as “bad” cholesterol. Exercise helps increase the size of LDL particles, which is beneficial.
Smoking
There are numerous reasons to avoid smoking, as it not only poses various health risks but also lowers levels of good cholesterol in the body. Additionally, smoking damages blood vessels, increasing the likelihood of fatty deposits accumulating in them.
Genetic Factors
Cholesterol levels in the blood can sometimes rise due to inheriting abnormal genes from one or both parents, particularly those associated with chromosome 19. This genetic predisposition can lead to familial hypercholesterolemia, a condition that significantly impairs the body’s ability to efficiently remove LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream. The severity of this condition depends on the LDL cholesterol levels and their duration in the blood, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis at an early age. Familial hypercholesterolemia is characterized by its autosomal dominant inheritance pattern, meaning only one abnormal gene from a parent is required for a child to inherit the condition. In rare instances, a child may inherit the condition from both parents, leading to severe cholesterol elevation and heightened risks of heart attacks and cardiovascular diseases even in childhood.
Medical Conditions
Obesity and Overweight
Individuals struggling with excess weight should consult healthcare professionals for personalized weight loss plans to reach a healthy weight range, as obesity is linked to numerous health problems, including diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. Obesity can lead to increased cholesterol levels by diminishing the body’s responsiveness to dietary fats and elevating both LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels while lowering good cholesterol levels. Furthermore, obesity disrupts the body’s natural processes responsible for regulating and eliminating LDL cholesterol depending on dietary fat intake. It is noteworthy that changing one’s diet has minimal effects on cholesterol levels. Moreover, insulin resistance, commonly seen in obese individuals, can alter the enzymes critical for cholesterol metabolism.
Diabetes
Research indicates a connection between insulin resistance, often present in type 2 diabetes, and the risk of vascular disease, atherosclerosis, and diabetic dyslipidemia, which can develop even before a diabetes diagnosis. Diabetic dyslipidemia is characterized by abnormal blood lipid levels, including low levels of good cholesterol and elevated LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, thus increasing the risks of stroke, atherosclerosis, and coronary artery disease.
Other Medical Conditions
Various other health issues can also lead to elevated cholesterol levels, including kidney diseases, Cushing’s syndrome, hypothyroidism, alcohol abuse, and liver diseases such as cirrhosis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Some of these disorders can slow down metabolic processes, reducing the body’s ability to manage fats and cholesterol effectively. For instance, liver disease or alcohol abuse diminishes liver function, impairing the metabolism of dietary saturated fats and internal cholesterol production, leading to cholesterol accumulation in the bloodstream. Additionally, thyroid disorders affect how the body metabolizes triglycerides and cholesterol, which can instantly reflect in blood cholesterol levels. Patients with Cushing’s syndrome have shown increased thickness in small arterial walls, possibly due to cortisol’s role in activating the renin-angiotensin system, promoting the uptake of LDL cholesterol by blood vessel cells.
Medications
Certain medications used to treat specific health conditions may inadvertently raise cholesterol levels. It’s crucial for individuals not to discontinue any prescribed medications without consulting their healthcare provider. Physicians can monitor lipid profiles and determine the need for additional medications to help regulate cholesterol or triglyceride levels if necessary. Examples of medications that may contribute to elevated cholesterol include:
- Diuretics, like thiazides, commonly used for hypertension.
- Steroids, such as prednisone, prescribed for various inflammatory conditions.
- Antiretroviral medications used to treat HIV, which may increase cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
- Antiarrhythmic drugs like amiodarone, used to correct heart rhythm disorders.
- Immunosuppressants like cyclosporine and tacrolimus, utilized post-organ transplant or for treating inflammatory diseases.
- Beta-blockers, often prescribed for migraines, hypertension, and glaucoma, may elevate triglyceride levels while reducing good cholesterol.
- Hormone replacement therapy used in menopausal women, as the body utilizes cholesterol to produce hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, and cortisol, potentially leading to increased cholesterol levels in the blood.
Risk Factors for Elevated Cholesterol Levels
Several factors can heighten the risk of increased cholesterol levels in the body, including:
- Gender and Age: Although high cholesterol can occur in younger individuals, such as teenagers and children, the risk increases with age for both men and women, particularly around 60-65 years. Pre-menopausal women generally have lower total cholesterol levels compared to their male counterparts of the same age, but post-menopause, their cholesterol levels tend to exceed those of men.
- Ethnicity: Individuals of African descent often exhibit elevated levels of both good and bad cholesterol compared to those of Caucasian descent.
- Genetics: There may be an increased likelihood of elevated blood cholesterol based on family genetics, as studies have shown that relatives often share similar levels of good and bad cholesterol.