High cholesterol is bad for your health and promotes diseases such as heart attacks.
You can often tell whether the values are too high by looking at the face.
Frankfurt – It is well known that high cholesterol levels have a negative effect on health.
For example, it can promote cardiovascular diseases, which is the most common cause of death in Germany.
However, cholesterol levels that are too high are often only detected by the doctor or even noticed when symptoms have already occurred.
There are signs and symptoms that you can pay attention to yourself, as
reported
by fr.de.
But not all cholesterol is the same – there are differences.
"Cholesterol is vital for our body," Regine Brinkmann told the
Apotheken Zeitung
.
She is Senior Physician at the Clinic for General and Interventional Cardiology and Angiology at the Heart and Diabetes Center in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Cholesterol helps to stabilize the cell membrane, form hormones and maintain nerve function.
High cholesterol: These outward signs can be signs
A distinction is made between LDL and HDL cholesterol, the first of which is also called the bad cholesterol and the second the good cholesterol.
The LDL cholesterol is deposited in the blood vessels and thus increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
HDL cholesterol, on the other hand, even helps to remove excess LDL cholesterol, according to the
Health Knowledge Foundation
.
Elevated values do not trigger any specific complaints.
+
Small nodules that look like pimples can indicate high cholesterol levels.
(icon picture)
© Imago
An external feature can indicate elevated LDL cholesterol levels - skin changes.
These are so-called xanthomas, which are caused by fat deposits.
They are usually yellowish and visually resemble pimples.
The skin changes occur particularly often on the
arms
,
legs
,
buttocks
and
eyelids
.
Accordingly, high cholesterol levels can often be seen on the face.
Other physical symptoms usually only arise when cholesterol levels have been elevated over a long period of time.
Don't ignore these physical signs:
shortness of breath
disturbances of consciousness
tightness in the chest
dizziness
visual disturbances
aching legs
Prevent high cholesterol levels: Help with signs of high levels
According to him, there are a number of things you can do yourself to prevent high cholesterol levels in the first place.
Above all, a healthy lifestyle prevents elevated levels.
The
German Heart Foundation
recommends drinking little alcohol and avoiding obesity.
Smokers are advised to stop smoking.
Diet can also help with high cholesterol.
Diet plays an important role in cardiovascular health in general.
Editor's note
The information given in this article does not replace a visit to a doctor. Only experts can make the right diagnosis and initiate appropriate therapy. The intake of medication or dietary supplements should be discussed with a doctor beforehand.
Exercise also helps to lower cholesterol levels.
“We recommend endurance sports such as Nordic walking, cycling, cross-country skiing and swimming, but also dancing, football and tennis.
If you haven't been very active before, start with brisk walks.
If the weather is bad or you don't have the opportunity to do sports, you can also use the home trainer or the treadmill," explained heart expert Ulrich Laufs to the Heart Foundation.
Endurance sports are particularly healthy and are even said to help prevent cancer through exercise.
Studies have even found that exercise can prolong life.
(kiba)
List of rubrics: © Imago
