5 Surprising Facts About Cholesterol That Everyone Should Know

Cholesterol is a fatty substance that travels through the blood to areas throughout the body, bundled up in packets called lipoproteins. It is needed for some important functions, but too much of it in our bloodstream can cause problems such as heart disease and high blood pressure.

High Cholesterol is more dangerous than you think it is. Here are 5 facts you should know about Cholesterol.?

1. Cholesterol is not evil

Cholesterol is an essential part of your diet. The real stuff is called "good" cholesterol. The bad kind of cholesterol is called "bad" cholesterol, which can lead to heart disease if it builds up in your blood vessels.?

Good cholesterol/High-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels are typically 50 or 60 mg/dL, while bad cholesterol/low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels are typically 160 or 190 mg/dL or higher.

2. High Cholesterol is a Silent Killer

This is so because High cholesterol has no symptoms. A blood test is the only way to detect if you have it.

3. People with average weight can also suffer from high cholesterol.??

Cholesterol does not discriminate based on body size. It's just likely to accumulate in your arteries regardless of your weight.?

In fact, research shows that adequate physical activity helps raise “good” cholesterol and lower “bad” cholesterol. This means that even people who aren't overweight can still experience high cholesterol levels if they don't exercise regularly or don't take care of their health in other ways.

4. Women usually suffer from high cholesterol than men.

The reason why this happens is because of genetics and hormones. Women tend to have higher levels of testosterone than men, which can lead to higher levels of LDL cholesterol in the body.

5. High cholesterol causes 4.4 million deaths every year

This figure includes both adults and children who may have developed them due to certain factors, including lifestyle choices, age and family history. Additionally, research shows that it is one of the major controllable risk factors for heart disease, heart attack and stroke.

Final Takeaway?

Take active steps in order to lower your cholesterol or maintain a healthy level.

A daily regimen of exercise, healthy eating habits and a balanced view of cholesterol have been shown to lower LDL (the bad cholesterol) in a person’s blood.?

Don't take chances, start living healthy today!