High blood cholesterol is the increased condition of cholesterol in the blood. It is a metabolic derangement which may lead to cardiovascular diseases. It is often related to the term hyperlipidemia which is the increased level of lipid. The disease can be treated with medications, low cholesterol diets, and in rare cases surgery.

Causes

High cholesterol may be due to abnormalities in the amount of lipoprotein particles which are responsible for carrying cholesterol in the blood. These abnormalities may be due to the genetic factors, presence of diseases like diabetes and thyroid, nutritious imbalance etc.

Secondary causes

Certain other causes of high blood cholesterol are excess body weight, family history, hypothyroidism, kidney disease, lack of physical activity, antiretroviral drugs, zieve’s syndrome etc.

Signs and symptoms

Specific physical findings like Xanthelasma palpabrum which is yellowish patches around the eyelids, Xanthoma which is the deposition of cholesterol on the skin tendons, and arcus senilis which is white coloration of cornea are some of the symptoms of high cholesterol.

Some cardiovascular diseases like short strokes, peripheral vascular diseases and artery diseases are some of the signs which may be due to high cholesterol.

Treatment

High cholesterol types like Fredrickson can be treated with cholesterol absorption inhibitors, statins like rosuvastatin, simvastatin and atorvastatin, fibrates like bezafibrate, ciprofibrate, gemfibrozil etc.

Diet Advice

A diet can reduce cholesterol levels up to 15% in strictly hospitalized and controlled surroundings. Dietary advice may be sufficient in early period of elevated cholesterol.

Clinical Advice

Lipid lowering therapy must be taken to prevent cardiovascular morbidity; statins medication is necessary to avoid the disease with type 2 diabetes; patient taking statins should undergo routine monitoring of liver function tests; phytosterols medication is found to lower the disease up to 8.9% with the daily intake of 3 grams dose.

Even though these medication and advice would reduce the severity of high blood cholesterol, it is advisable to consult your doctor as soon as you see the sign or symptom of the disease.