When blood flow is restricted going to the heart, a heart attacks occurs; if the blood flow to the brain is disturbed, a stroke happens. Both events are life-threatening. In the early stages of a lipid disorder, there are no symptoms, stated NYU Langone Health. High cholesterol can, however, be detected via a routine blood test that is supposed to take place annually.
Whether you know you have high cholesterol or not, dangerously high levels can show up on the skin.
The development of yellowish skin growths on the ankles – known as xanthomas – are a warning sign that you are at high risk of a cardiovascular health scare.
Xanthomas develop as the build-up of fat has grown so large it is now protruding through the skin.
They can also develop on internal organs, added WebMD, and their appearance require urgent medical attention.
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“Reducing your blood lipids will improve your overall health and reduce the chances of xanthomas coming back in the future,” said WebMD.
The Mayo Clinic noted that cholesterol-lowering medications can improve your cholesterol levels.
Furthermore, you will need to adopt a “heart-healthy” diet, which means cutting down – or cutting out – red meat and full-fat dairy products.
It is also critical to eliminate the consumption of trans fats, sometimes listed on food labels as “partially hydrogenated vegetable oil”.
Whey protein is also another good addition to your cholesterol-lowering diet.
Research has shown that whey protein – given as a supplement – lowers both LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol, as well as blood pressure.
While omega-3 fatty acids do not affect cholesterol levels, it is still part of a heart-healthy diet.
This is because omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce blood pressure, thereby protecting your heart; sources include: salmon, mackerel, herring, walnuts, and flaxseeds.
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