High cholesterol: The peculiar symptom warning of high levels found in the way you speak
Dr Chris reveals how eyes can indicate high cholesterol levels
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High cholesterol means you have too much cholesterol in your blood. Cholesterol is a waxy substance produced by the liver. Although cholesterol is not intrinsically bad – your body needs a healthy amount to function – high cholesterol levels can clog up the arteries causing a change in the way you speak.
High cholesterol typically doesn’t have any symptoms until it is an emergency event, said Complete Care.
The health site added: “The only way to know if you have a high level of LDL cholesterol is through a blood test.”
It adds leaving cholesterol untreated can lead to the build-up of plaque over time, damaging the heart, putting you at risk for a heart attack or stroke. It says symptoms of this can include slurred speech.
Other symptoms that may occur:
- Nausea
- Numbness
- Extreme fatigue
- Chest pain or angina
- Shortness of breath
- Numbness or coldness in extremities
- High blood pressure.
The risk of high cholesterol increases with age, but levels in the general population are high due to the emphasis on saturated fat in western diets.
This fat is absorbed in the intestine and transported to the liver, where it is converted into two different types of cholesterol.
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which is the “bad” type, and high-density lipoprotein, which is the “good type”, make up total cholesterol levels when combined.
Other risk factors for high cholesterol include:
- Consume an unhealthy diet
- Are obese or overweight
- Lack of regular movement or exercise
- Have a history of high cholesterol or familial hypercholesterolemia
- Smoke tobacco products
- Have diabetes or kidney disease.
Following a formal diagnosis of high cholesterol, you’ll be required to make lifestyle changes to lower high levels.
Diet is one of the central pillars of cholesterol control.
Arguably the most important intervention is to cut down on foods high in saturated fat.
“Saturated fats, found primarily in red meat and full-fat dairy products, raise your total cholesterol,” warns the Mayo Clinic.
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