High Cholesterol Causes

The tendency to build up high cholesterol may run in families, but excessively high levels are usually the result of a poor diet high in saturated fats and calories, combined with little or no exercise. In some cases, an elevated cholesterol level may be associated with an undiagnosed medical condition, such as hypothyroidism (low thyroid function) or diabetes.

Signs/Symptoms

High cholesterol rarely gives any warning signs. If there's a tremendous excess, some people develop soft, yellowish skin growths called xanthomas, usually in the area near the eyes. Some men develop impotence as the arteries begin to clog up.

Care

The first line of attack on high cholesterol is a change in lifestyle and diet. Regular exercise, weight control, and a diet low in cholesterol and animal fat are often all that's needed to bring cholesterol levels into the safety range. If these measures fail to do the job, your doctor can then prescribe a cholesterol-lowering drug such as Lescol, Lipitor, Mevacor, Pravachol, and Zocor. Remember, though, that these drugs shouldn't be used as a substitute for a healthy diet. They pose a slight risk of damage to the liver and can harm a developing baby if taken during pregnancy.

For those who suffer severe, hereditary high cholesterol, a procedure called LDL apheresis is an option. Over several hours, blood is removed from the body, chemically cleansed of LDL cholesterol, then returned to the body. This treatment can reduce LDL cholesterol levels by 50 to 80 percent, but it's required every two to three weeks. Talk with your doctor in detail about the benefits of this type of therapy, as it can be both time-consuming and costly.

Risks

Your chances of a heart attack rise dramatically when your cholesterol gets even moderately out of line. Generally speaking, a man with a total blood cholesterol level of 240 is twice as likely to suffer a heart attack as a man with a level of 200, all other factors being equal. A level of 300 carries five times the risk.

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