High cholesterol is the most common health condition in the U.S. with nearly 94 million adults living with it. In fact, you could have high cholesterol and not even know it because many people don’t experience symptoms and are unaware they have high cholesterol until a healthcare provider checks their cholesterol levels.
Here’s why that matters: Having high cholesterol can cause some very serious health conditions, including coronary heart disease, which is the number one cause of death in the U.S. While high cholesterol can be genetic, it is largely influenced by diet and lifestyle habits. There’s one habit that impacts cholesterol so much that a cardiologist is issuing a warning for everyone to stop it by the time they’re 50.
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Dr. Amit Prasad, MD, a cardiologist at Texas Health Huguley Hospital Fort Worth South, explains that high cholesterol can be caused by a combination of different factors. One cause, he says, is having a diet that’s high in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol.
Dr. Prasad says living a primarily sedentary lifestyle can also lead to high cholesterol. “Not getting enough exercise can lead to weight gain and higher cholesterol levels,” he says. Related to this, Dr. Prasad says that having obesity can increase LDL cholesterol (that’s the bad kind) while lowering HDL cholesterol (the good kind). Other causes of high cholesterol include genetics, diabetes and hyperthyroidism, Dr. Prasad says.
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The risk for high cholesterol increases as we age. Dr. Prasad says that men older than 45 and women older than 55 are at an increased risk for high cholesterol. No matter how old you are, having high cholesterol is dangerous. “High cholesterol is dangerous because it can lead to the buildup of fatty deposits in your blood vessels. These deposits can restrict blood flow, increasing the risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Over time, these deposits can harden and narrow the arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis,” Dr. Prasad says.
Having high cholesterol when you’re 50 or older has additional health risks. Dr. Prasad explains that high cholesterol in people over 50 can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, including heart attack and stroke. “Additionally, fluctuating cholesterol levels in older adults have been linked to an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia. It’s important for older adults to manage their cholesterol levels to reduce these risks,” he says.
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The #1 Habit To Quit By 50 To Avoid High Cholesterol
If you want to avoid having high cholesterol in the future and the very serious health risks that accompany it, what you do today matters. If you are 50 or younger, Dr. Prasad says that the most important habit to quit is smoking. “Quitting smoking is one of the most important steps you can take to lower your risk of high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease,” he says.
Dr. Prasad explains that smoking damages blood vessels, lowers HDL cholesterol (the “good” kind of cholesterol) and increases the risk of heart disease. “By quitting smoking, you can significantly improve your heart health and overall well-being,” he says.
Scientific research backs up the connection between smoking and high cholesterol, showing that the nicotine in tobacco raises LDL cholesterol while lowering HDL cholesterol. This means that using tobacco in other ways (such as chewing or vaping) can also increase LDL cholesterol.
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Besides not using tobacco, Dr. Prasad says that the best way to prevent high cholesterol is to maintain a healthy diet. “Diet plays a key role in managing cholesterol levels for several reasons. It reduces LDL cholesterol, maintains healthy levels of HDL cholesterol and reduces saturated and trans fats,” he says.
Scientific research shows that the best way to manage cholesterol through diet is to minimize foods high in saturated fat and refined carbohydrates while prioritizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, foods high in omega-3 fatty acids (like fish) and low-fat dairy products.
The dangers of high cholesterol shouldn’t be underestimated, but there is a lot you can do to keep your cholesterol levels in check. Adopt healthy habits today to protect your heart tomorrow.
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Sources
Dr. Amit Prasad, MD, cardiologist at Texas Health Huguley Hospital Fort Worth South, a joint venture of Texas Health and AdventHealth What doctors wish patients knew about high cholesterol. American Medical AssociationHigh Cholesterol Diseases. Cleveland ClinicLeading Causes of Death. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and PreventionDyslipidemia in Obesity: Mechanisms and Potential Targets. Nutrients. 2013The 32-year relationship between cholesterol and dementia from midlife to late life. Neurology. 2010The Effect of Chronic Tobacco Smoking and Chewing on the Lipid Profile. Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research. 2013Dietary treatment to lower cholesterol and triglyceride and reduce cardiovascular risk. Current Opinions in Lipidology. 2020 Read More Details
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