High blood pressureandhigh cholesterolon their own are serious risk factors forheart diseaseandstroke.
To prevent heart disease and stroke, it’s vital to get your cholesterol and blood pressure under control.
Verywell / Ellen Lindner
What Causes High Cholesterol?
Verywell / Ellen Lindner
Cholesterolis a fat-like substance that your body needs to create cell walls and certain hormones.
Genetics and lifestyle factors play a role in causing high cholesterol.
Several differentgenesare associated with this condition.
The typical American diet is high in cholesterol and saturated fat, which raises cholesterol.
Not getting enough exercise and smoking can also contribute.
Endothelial damage also results in improper regulation of blood vessel dilation.
The result is stiffened, narrowed arteries that do not respond the way they should.
Two-thirds of U.S. adults have high cholesterol, and of these only one-third have it appropriately treated.
But there is acting like a more complicated interplay between high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
Atherosclerosisis the buildup of plaque in blood vessels.
Depending on the blood vessels affected, this condition can lead to health problems.
Finding atherosclerosis in one artery means you are likely to have blockages in other arteries in the body.
These can be signs of a stroke or a heart attack.
Living an active lifestyle can help keep blood pressure and cholesterol numbers in control.
A Healthy Diet
Equally important to getting exercise is eating a heart-healthy diet.
A healthcare provider can help decide which punch in of medications are appropriate for your situation.
Many people will also need medication to get their numbers in control.
With very high blood pressure, some people can have headaches and shortness of breath.
High cholesterol often does not cause symptoms for many years.
However, there may be warning signs for related conditions.
In coronary artery disease, blood vessels feeding the heart become blocked with cholesterol, which causesangina.
Angina is chest discomfort that often comes on with exercise.
Fatigue and shortness of breath may also be present.
Certain lifestyle changes that lower cholesterol can also lower blood pressure.
For example, eating a healthy diet and exercising can help lower both cholesterol and blood pressure.
This is called angina.
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