Cholesterol high reason - #12541
I am really confused about cholesterol high reason. Like a few months ago, I went for my annual check-up, and my doctor said my cholesterol levels skyrocketed. I'm not exactly sure how that happened since I thought I was eating kinda healthy, mostly! I mean, I do love my weekend burgers but had cut back on fatty snacks thinking I was doing good. Also, I exercise a few times a week, or at least I try to. Anyway, my results came back with total cholesterol at 250, and I just feel like—what did I do wrong? I’ve read online that stress can play a part and I’ve been really overwhelmed with work recently. Could that be a cholesterol high reason? Plus, there's high cholesterol in my family, but I always thought that wouldn’t affect me until later in life or something! Do genetics really have that much of an impact? I can’t help but lower my hopes, feels like I’m gonna end up on meds. What other reasons might there be for this cholesterol high? I honestly don’t get it! Would love any insights into what could really cause this and if I need to rework my daily routines, or if it's just my genes playing tricks on me. Thanks a ton!
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Doctors’ responses
Cholesterol levels can be influenced by several factors, and it sounds like you’re dealing with a mix of lifestyle, genetic, and possibly other influences. First off, while diet plays a big role, it’s not the only thing. High cholesterol can sneak up on you despite efforts to eat healthier if certain aspects aren’t fully addressed. Reducing fatty snacks is a good start, but it’s crucial to look at the types of fats in your diet. Saturated fats, often found in animal products like burgers, cheese, and butter, can raise cholesterol levels. Try to substitute these with healthier fats, like those found in fish, nuts, and olive oil. Exercising, which you’re doing a few times a week, works best when it’s consistent and includes a mix of cardiovascular and strength activities. Stress indeed can impact cholesterol indirectly by altering lifestyle habits or through physiological stress responses that might affect lipid levels. Family history is significant and does contribute; genetics can dictate how efficiently your body processes cholesterol. If high cholesterol runs in your family, it could predispose you to higher levels, sometimes despite an active lifestyle and a relatively healthy diet. Medications might be necessary to manage this genetic factor effectively. It’s also worth having a chat with your healthcare provider to analyze your stress and maybe explore stress-reduction techniques which can have a positive effect overall. Besides dietary improvements and exercise, ensure you avoid smoke exposure and keep alcohol intake in moderation as these can also impact lipid profiles. Rather than focusing solely on what might have gone wrong, consider it an opportunity to refine your health habits further in collaboration with your doctor. They may recommend periodic lipid level checks and even consider medications if lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough.
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