Symptoms of high cholesterol often go by unnoticed by the sufferer or those around him. Normally high cholesterol is confirmed by a blood test, not by exterior examination. It is often assumed that an overweight person will also be suffering from high cholesterol however this is not always the case.

Symptoms of High Cholesterol are more likely to be symptoms of a more serious illness which is caused by the high levels of bad cholesterol in the body. For example, stroke, coronary heart disease and peripheral vascular disease can all be caused by high cholesterol and will display symptoms of their own.

Coronary disease is also known as angina. Symptoms of this are most often just chest pain or a tightening or pressure in the chest. All instances of this feeling should be an indication that the person needs to seek immediate medical treatment. (more…)

The cause of high cholesterol can be varied. Sometimes it is indicative of a genetic disposition to develop high cholesterol. If high cholesterol runs in your family, there is higher risk of you also obtaining it compared with someone who does not have a family history of high cholesterol.

Genetics is but one cause of high cholesterol in people of all ages. Inherited high cholesterol is called familial hypercholesterolemia.The other more well known cause of cholesterol is of course diet related.

Eat enough high cholesterol foods for long periods of time, and your cholesterol will rise. Couple this with little or no exercise and you turn into a walking time bomb for all sorts of health conditions.It is known that cholesterol levels, on average, are higher in certain parts of the world compared to others. For example, northern European countries have higher average cholesterol levels than southern Europe. Asia has still lower levels than both of these regions.

Could this dramatic fluctuation in cholesterol levels in certain parts of the world indicate that diet is the major factor in causing high cholesterol? All factors point to that being correct.

The cause of high cholesterol is most often either genetic or diet related. While you can’t help your genes, you can certainly go a long way to reducing your cholesterol levels simply by eating a well balanced, healthy diet and of course, by exercising.