Causes of High Cholesterol

The main causes of high cholesterol are excessive consumption of alcohol, diet rich in carbohydrates and fats and family history of high cholesterol.

Although not present symptoms, this disease can have serious consequences like clogging of blood vessels and infarction, being able to lead to death in some cases.

Main Causes of High Cholesterol

High cholesterol can be caused by several factors, such as:

• Family history;
• Food rich in sweets and fats;
• Excessive consumption of alcohol;
• Cirrhosis;
• Decompensated diabetes;
• Hypothyroidism;
• Hyperthyroidism;
• Renal insufficiency;
• Porphyria;
• Use of anabolic steroids.

It is important to highlight that people with a family history of high cholesterol should take special care to prevent this disease, since they are more likely to be affected.

Consequences of high cholesterol

The main consequence of high cholesterol is the considerable increase in the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as:

• Atherosclerosis;
• Infarction;
• Cardiac insufficiency;
• High pressure.

However, high cholesterol has no symptoms, being diagnosed only through blood test.

Treatment for High Cholesterol

Treatment for high cholesterol involves changes in diet, regular physical activity, and use of cholesterol-lowering medications, such as Simvastatin and Atorvastatin.

In the cholesterol-lowering diet, you should give preference to fruits, vegetables, and whole grains because they are fiber-rich foods that help decrease the absorption of fat in the intestine. In addition, avoid red meat, bacon, sausage, butter, margarine, fried foods, sweets and alcoholic beverages. Here's an example of a menu and what are the essential dietary foods to lower cholesterol.