What is High Cholesterol? Know Its Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

As an NRI, you may often find yourself balancing between the two countries. Be it cultures, time zones, or maybe different food habits. This change in lifestyle, along with the daily tasks like long working hours and less physical activity, can result in health conditions like high cholesterol. 

But it’s not just your own health you may be concerned about. High cholesterol is a prevalent condition that can affect anyone, including your loved ones back home. Being far away, the anxiety of not being able to support them during a health crisis can be overwhelming.

This is where health insurance in India can help you reduce your stress and ensure your loved one’s has access to good healthcare services, even in your absence. 

What is High Cholesterol?

To simply understand what is high cholesterol, read till the end. High cholesterol is a condition where you have an excessive amount of a fatty substance called cholesterol in your blood. Now, the main thing to notice here is that cholesterol isn't entirely bad; your body needs it to build healthy cells. However, when you have too much of it, it’s considered high cholesterol and can become a problem.

Cholesterol travels through your blood in small packages called lipoproteins. The two primary types are low LDL and high HDL, which should be well-balanced. This imbalance may cause a high cholesterol state. 

• Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL): Often called "bad" cholesterol, LDL can build up in the walls of your arteries, causing them to narrow and harden. This process, known as atherosclerosis, restricts blood flow and can lead to serious health complications.
• High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL): This is the "good" cholesterol. HDL is a scavenger, removing excess cholesterol from your arteries and transporting it back to the liver, where it is subsequently broken down and expelled from the body. 

What Causes High Cholesterol? 

Now that you know what is high cholesterol, let's understand what causes high cholesterol. While genetics can play a role, for most people, the primary drivers are lifestyle-related. As an NRI, you may find that the convenience of a modern lifestyle abroad, or even indulging in traditional fatty foods without moderation, can contribute to the problem. Here are the main causes:

• Unhealthy Diet: This is the most significant factor in what causes high cholesterol. Diets high in saturated and trans fats are the biggest culprits. Saturated fats are found in red meat, full-fat dairy products, and certain oils like palm and coconut oil. Trans fats are often found in processed foods, packaged snacks, and fried items. As an NRI, eating processed and packaged food items can be a problem for you. 
• Lack of Physical Activity: A sedentary lifestyle is a major contributor to high cholesterol. Regular exercise helps increase your HDL "good" cholesterol and lowers your LDL "bad" cholesterol. It also helps in maintaining a healthy weight, which is another crucial factor.
• Obesity: Carrying excess weight, especially around the waist, can increase your LDL cholesterol and triglycerides while lowering your HDL cholesterol.
• Smoking: Smoking damages the walls of your blood vessels, making them more susceptible to the buildup of fatty deposits. It also lowers your HDL cholesterol, further worsening the problem. So, if you are fond of smoking, just know that you are not doing anything good for your health. 
• Alcohol Consumption: Excessive alcohol intake can raise your total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. So, it's advised to limit the consumption, or if you can quit it entirely, it can do wonders for your health. 

Symptoms of High Cholesterol

This is where the term "silent killer" truly applies. One of the most dangerous aspects of high cholesterol is that it often presents with no clear symptoms of high cholesterol. You can have dangerously high levels and feel perfectly fine, which is why regular medical check-ups and blood tests are so important.  

These are not direct symptoms of high cholesterol itself but rather signs of the complications it causes:

• Angina (Chest Pain): If the arteries supplying blood to your heart are narrowed, you might experience chest pain, especially during physical exertion. This is why you should never ignore chest pain. 
• Stroke or Heart Attack: This is the most severe and often the first indication of high cholesterol. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel leading to the brain is blocked, and a heart attack happens when a vessel leading to the heart is blocked. 
• Xanthomas: In rare cases, especially with inherited conditions, you might notice fatty deposits that appear as yellowish bumps on your eyelids, knees, elbows, or hands. 

High Cholesterol Treatment

If you are diagnosed with high cholesterol or have someone back home who is diagnosed with this health condition, do not worry. The good news is that high cholesterol treatment is highly effective and can significantly reduce your risk of serious cardiovascular events. The treatment is often a combination of lifestyle changes and, if necessary, medication.

• Lifestyle Changes: For many people, the first line of defence is a complete change in their lifestyle. This majorly includes:

  Dietary Modifications: Reducing saturated and trans fats and incorporating more soluble fibre, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats from sources like nuts and olive oil. Simply put, a healthy diet is your key. 

  Regular Exercise: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.

  Weight Management: Losing even a small amount of weight can have a big impact on your cholesterol levels.

  Quitting Smoking: This is one of the most effective steps you can take to improve your overall heart health.

• Medication: When lifestyle changes alone aren't enough, your doctor may prescribe medication. The most common type of high cholesterol treatment is statin medication, which works by blocking a substance your liver needs to make cholesterol. Other medications may also be used depending on your specific condition.

Foods to Avoid with High Cholesterol

Now, let’s come to one of the main things. Things that you should avoid. Certain food items! Making smart dietary choices is an essential part of high cholesterol treatment. To help you, here's a list of foods to avoid with high cholesterol:

• Fried and Processed Foods: These are often loaded with trans fats, which are highly detrimental to your cholesterol levels. Think of fried snacks, fast food, and baked goods food items, such as cookies and pastries.
• Red and Processed Meats: High in saturated fat, items like bacon, sausages, and fatty cuts of beef or lamb that are quite common abroad should be limited. Opt for leaner cuts of meat or plant-based protein alternatives.
• Full-Fat Dairy Products: Butter, cheese, and whole milk are high in saturated fat. Switch to low-fat or skimmed versions. While there is no major difference in the taste, the health benefits are significant. 
• Certain Tropical Oils: While some oils are healthy, coconut and palm oil are high in saturated fats and should be used in small quantities. You can use olive or canola oil instead.
• Sugary Foods and Drinks: While not directly high in cholesterol, excessive sugar intake can lead to weight gain and inflammation, indirectly contributing to the problem. 

Wrapping Up

High cholesterol is a growing health concern; however, understanding what is high cholesterol, recognising what causes high cholesterol, identifying symptoms of high cholesterol, and seeking timely high cholesterol treatment are essential steps in maintaining long-term heart health. Furthermore, making informed dietary choices and being aware of the foods to avoid with high cholesterol can significantly reduce the risks.  

As an NRI living abroad, you want the peace of mind that the health of your family is secure back home. This is where a specialised NRI health insurance plan becomes paramount. 

At Niva Bupa, we offer extensive health insurance plans that cover doctor consultations, medications, pre-existing conditions, surgeries, and more in over 10,400 network hospitals across the country, giving you assurance that your loved one’s back home has access to quality healthcare services.  

People Also Ask

1. What is a healthy cholesterol level?

   A healthy total cholesterol level is generally below 200 mg/dL. For LDL cholesterol, it's best to be below 100 mg/dL, while HDL cholesterol should be 60 mg/dL or higher.

2. Can diet alone fix high cholesterol?

   While diet is a crucial factor, for many people, especially those with a genetic predisposition, lifestyle changes alone may not be enough. In such cases, medication may be necessary as part of a comprehensive high cholesterol treatment.

3. Are there any symptoms of high cholesterol that I should look for?

   High cholesterol is often asymptomatic. The first sign is often a serious event like a heart attack or stroke. This is why regular blood tests are the only way to know your levels.

4. How often should I get my cholesterol checked?

   Adults over the age of 20 should get their cholesterol checked every 4 to 6 years. If you have a family history of heart disease or high cholesterol, your doctor may recommend more frequent testing.

5. How can exercise help with high cholesterol treatment?

   Regular physical activity, even a brisk walk, can help raise your HDL ("good") cholesterol levels, which in turn helps remove excess cholesterol from your arteries.

6. Can an NRI get health insurance in India if they have high cholesterol?

   Yes, NRIs can purchase a health insurance policy in India even with pre-existing conditions like high cholesterol. However, there will be a waiting period, typically 2-4 years, before the condition is covered.

7. Does stress affect cholesterol?

   Yes. Chronic stress may disrupt metabolism and contribute to unhealthy habits, indirectly raising cholesterol.

8. What kind of foods should I avoid with high cholesterol?

   You should limit foods to avoid with high cholesterol that are high in saturated and trans fats, such as fried foods, processed meats, full-fat dairy, and commercially baked goods.

9. What is the difference between LDL and HDL cholesterol?

   LDL, or "bad" cholesterol, can clog your arteries, while HDL, or "good" cholesterol, helps remove cholesterol from your bloodstream and transport it to the liver.

10. Is high cholesterol treatment expensive in India?

    Medical costs for managing high cholesterol and its complications can be significant. Having a health insurance plan designed for NRIs provides a vital financial safety net, covering everything from diagnostics to hospitalisation.