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High cholesterol and Other Health Conditions and Disease

It has been long suspected that there is a relationship between high levels of cholesterol and other health conditions and diseases including diabetes, angina, and coronary artery disease. Other conditions and diseases include: erectile dysfunction, nephrotic syndrome and also peripheral artery disease.

The connection between high levels of LDL cholesterol and diabetes, angina, and coronary artery disease (CAD) are discussed in further detail below.

Diabetes:

Did you know that there is a similarity between having high cholesterol and being diabetic? Studies show that two out of three individuals who have the disease, diabetes die of heart disease or stroke. Those who have diabetes are twice as likely to have heart disease or suffer a stroke. Diabetes causes changes to occur in the chemical makeup of the blood of the person with diabetes. Atherosclerosis is the build up of plaque in the arteries and this has been shown to occur quicker for that with diabetes than with those who do not have diabetes. Atherosclerosis adds to the risk factor for both stroke and heart disease due to the blockage of arteries leading to the brain and to the heart in those with atherosclerosis.

Individuals who have diabetes tend to test higher in LDL cholesterol levels, higher levels of triglycerides and to test lower when it comes to blood cholesterol levels for the HDL, which is the good cholesterol. To be heart healthy, you should test low for LDL blood cholesterol and high for HDL blood cholesterol.

Individuals with diabetes should already be on a diabetic diet designed to help lower blood glucose levels, they should also pay attention to their consumption of foods rich in cholesterol (animal foods) and to make every effort to limit animal foods and balance their diet with plant foods that do not contain cholesterol.

Angina:

Angina is a condition that presents a discomfort or pain in the chest area that is described as a squeezing or pressure. It can occur when not enough blood is supplied to the heart. Discomfort can also be felt in the jaw, neck, shoulders, arms, and even the back area. Other health conditions can mimic this discomfort and pain including heartburn, lung problems, a blood clot or a heart attack. Anyone experiencing chest discomfort or pain should consult with a medical doctor immediately.

Angina is a common symptom of coronary artery disease that is caused by plaque build-up in the arteries (atherosclerosis).

A high level of LDL blood cholesterol causes atherosclerosis.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD):

This is the most common form of heart disease and affects almost 13 million individuals in the U.S. and is the leading cause of death for males and females. Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) occurs when the plaque that occurs in the arteries leading to the heart become hardened to the point that the arteries are very narrow (atherosclerosis) and the combined lack of blood flow and lack of oxygen it creates the chest discomfort and pain, or possible heart attack that is the result of the damage caused by the lack of blood flow/oxygen flow to the cells, resulting in the death of these cells of the heart muscle. This cardiac cell death can result in heart failure, arrhythmias (changes in normal heart rhythm) and even death of the individual.

Risk factors for angina include males over age 45, and females over age 55, a family history of high cholesterol, smoking, obesity and physical inactivity. Another risk factor for CAD is uncontrolled diabetes.