High cholesterol is one of the biggest health problems of today. It affects millions of people regardless of age or gender, and can contribute towards serious cardiovascular problems.
The arteries are blood vessels that are responsible for transporting blood rich with oxygen from the heart to other body parts. Normal arteries are strong and elastic, but they can be affected by accumulation of plaque in the arteries. This condition is known as atherosclerosis and is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease around the world.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the USA, taking more than half a million lives every year. The condition is known as a silent killer due to the lack of symptoms in the beginning. The symptoms of the condition depend on the type of arteries affected.
Coronary arteries
If your coronary arteries are clogged, the condition is known as coronary heart disease. In this case, plaque blocks the proper arterial blood flow and the heart gets insufficient amounts of blood, resulting in chest pain or angina. The chest pain can travel to the jaw, arms, neck, shoulders or back, and may resemble indigestion. Angina may be triggered by emotional stress as well, and may be accompanied by arrhythmia or shortness of breath.
Carotid arteries
Carotid artery disease occurs when the brain arteries are clogged. This is a serious problem which may lead to a stroke. The symptoms of the disease include weakness, headaches, loss of consciousness, trouble speaking, blurred vision, dizziness and loss of focus.
Renal arteries
If the arteries in your kidneys are blocked, it can lead towards kidney disease and loss of proper kidney function. In the beginning, there may be no symptoms at all, but as the disease progresses, it can cause loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea, numbness and itchiness in the limbs.
Peripheral arteries
Peripheral artery disease is caused by blocked arm, leg or pelvic arteries which may cause numbness and pain in the limbs.
What makes the arteries clogged?
Atherosclerosis is a term which describes hardened and thickened arteries. There’s a thin layer of endothelial cells that keeps the arteries smooth and toned and allows proper blood flow as well. However, factors such as increased homocysteine levels, free radicals and toxins can damage these cells and the integrity of the arteries, resulting in accumulation of plaque.
Plaque represents deposits of fat, calcium, metals, waste material and LDL cholesterol particles which can get stuck in the arteries and cause atherosclerosis. Other atherosclerosis factors include smoking, alcohol abuse, being overweight, genetics, etc. Lack of vitamin C and oxidative stress can also be the culprit, as can other nutritional deficiencies and a diet high in sugar or starch.
The usual treatment for high cholesterol levels includes taking statins or other type of cholesterol-lowering drugs, but the problem can also be treated by consuming a diet that contains the following foods:
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