Cholesterol

Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a waxy steroid of fat that is produced by our body in the liver and intestine and it is used to synthesize the hormones and cell membranes. It is an essential component of the plasma membrane that one needs in order to maintain proper membrane fluidity and permeability. While our body needs to maintain a steady level of cholesterol for building healthy cells, one is also prone to risks of heart disease when the amount of cholesterol increases.

Risks of high cholesterol

With a high level of cholesterol, one develops fatty deposits in the blood vessels. Eventually, the deposits grow, making it extremely difficult for the blood to flow through our arteries. There are also cases when the deposits of cholesterol suddenly break and form a clot, which in turn results in a heart attack or a stroke. High cholesterol could be inherited, but it is mostly a result of the unhealthy lifestyle choices one makes.

It can be difficult to predict that one has a case of high cholesterol, given that there are no particular symptoms for the same. The only way to detect it is to undertake a blood test. As the condition is something that can be prevented and treated, it is always advised that one undertakes the necessary measures to prevent the condition from aggravating.