reason of cholesterol increase - #18765
I am really worried about my cholesterol levels lately. I went for a routine check-up and the results showed a significant increase in my cholesterol. I mean, a few months ago everything was normal, and now I can't stop thinking about the reason of cholesterol increase. I’ve been trying to eat healthier, cutting back on fast food and snacks, but I notice that I'm still feeling really fatigued and occasionally get these weird sharp pains in my chest, which is another reason I'm freakin out a bit. I talked to my doc, and they said stress could be a factor, but I’m curious about other reasons of cholesterol increase too. I turned 40 this year, and I guess that might play a part? My family history isn’t great with heart stuff, and I've been trying to exercise more, but it just feels like nothing’s really changing. Are there common reasons of cholesterol increase that I should be aware of? Maybe lifestyle changes I’m not thinking of? I just feel super confused and a bit hopeless right now, honestly. I thought I was doing everything right, but now I'm starting to wonder if I missed something crucial. Any insights or advice would be super helpful!
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Doctors' responses
A sudden increase in cholesterol can be concerning, and there are multiple factors that could contribute to this. It’s good to hear you’ve started focusing on your diet, but areas like genetics, stress, and age, as you mentioned, can indeed play a role. As we get older, cholesterol levels naturally tend to rise. Family history, unfortunately, contributes significantly as well as some individuals are genetically predisposed to higher cholesterol levels, regardless of lifestyle.
Dietary intake is crucial, though cutting out fast food is a great first step, don’t overlook hidden sources of saturated fats and trans fats in other processed foods or in meats and dairy. Consider eating more soluble fiber, found in oats, fruits, beans, and legumes, which can help reduce cholesterol absorption in the bloodstream. Regular physical activity is vital, even moderate activities like brisk walking can help increase “good” HDL cholesterol while lowering the “bad” LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Ensure you aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.
Alcohol and smoking are another couple of factors — moderate alcohol consumption can sometimes have a positive effect on HDL cholesterol, but it needs careful evaluation under your physician’s guidance, while smoking should be entirely avoided. Stress, as your doctor noted, might indeed contribute; chronic stress can affect cholesterol levels through hormonal pathways and promote behaviors or dietary choices that can further compound the issue. Learning stress management techniques, like meditation or engaging in relaxing hobbies, might be beneficial.
As for symptoms like chest pains and fatigue, they shouldn’t be ignored, especially given your family history. These could be unrelated, but they also may suggest severe cardiovascular concerns. I strongly advise following-up closely with your healthcare provider to further assess these symptoms, possibly requiring diagnostic tests like an ECG or stress test. Ensure that any new symptoms or worsening of current symptoms are reported immediately. Addressing these risk factors and conditions early is crucial in preventing cardiovascular diseases, so maintaining open communication with your healthcare provider is key.
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