If elevated cholesterol symptoms. What are the symptoms of high blood cholesterol? Acute symptoms of high cholesterol

Thanks to various promotions of healthy eating, it is a well-known fact that cholesterol is the main threatening factor for the development of such a formidable disease with its complications as atherosclerosis. However, how much truth is in this phrase from a medical point of view? Let's try to figure this out.

Introduction

So, atherosclerosis is a serious disease of the cardiovascular system, affecting almost 100% of the population by 50 (in men)-60 (in women) years. It develops gradually and is dangerous for human life, not so much by its presence, but by the complications that form against its background. And the high content of cholesterol in the blood, which is found in all patients with this disease, is not its cause at all. The fact is that all pathological changes in the vessels cannot fundamentally develop if they are initially healthy. And if a person has been diagnosed with arterial hypertension or diabetes mellitus for a long time, if the patient abuses smoking or alcohol, leads a sedentary lifestyle or is obese, then all the changes inherent in atherosclerosis will gradually begin to occur on the basis of already existing violations of the vascular wall. And if initially cholesterol in the blood is elevated, then only all this together will cause the development of the disease.

Risk factors

In addition to those already mentioned, there are other risk factors for atherosclerosis. First of all, this is the gender and age category of patients. It has been scientifically proven that atherosclerosis more often affects men, especially those over the age of 50-55 years, in women - less often, older than 60-65 years. This is explained by the different amount of production of estrogens, female sex hormones, which are present in both sexes, but prevailing at times, of course, in women. The action of these biologically active substances is manifested in the utilization of all excess lipids and cholesterol from the blood stream to the fat depot and liver with the help of special transporters - high-density lipoproteins. By the way, their formation is also increased under the influence of estrogens, which leads to a later development of the disease in women. However, after menopause, the amount of hormones begins to decrease, and then women will already be prone to atherosclerosis on an equal basis with men, especially if initially cholesterol in the blood is elevated. But this may already be due to nutritional deficiencies, that is, the use of fatty meat, fried, high-calorie foods.

Pathomorphology of atherosclerosis

So, what are the changes that occur in the vessels, which eventually show signs of high cholesterol in the blood? And the answer is not so complicated. The fact is that normally the wall of the arteries is smooth, shiny, easily extensible due to the muscle layer and elastic fibers, and under the influence of special factors, it can both expand and narrow.

And if it was initially damaged under the influence of the above atherogenic factors (smoking, alcohol, diabetes, hypertension, old age), then it begins to be saturated with fats in the bloodstream. This is how the first stage develops - lipid stripes and spots.

Stages of development

Then the condition worsens, here the total cholesterol in the blood is already elevated. The thing is that the number of those of its transporters is also increasing, which normally carry it into the wall of blood vessels - the so-called. low and very low density lipoproteins. And gradually, the arteries are more and more saturated with fat and cholesterol, until these spots begin to protrude above the surface of the wall, i.e. an atherosclerotic plaque is formed, which gradually increases in size, becomes covered with a fibrin cap and thereby stabilizes. However, if at this stage a person continues to harm his health, then this calm plaque begins to be damaged. It ulcerates, the lid can come off completely, and the same pathological changes occur in other parts of the vessel wall.

Outcome of the disease

Cholesterol in the blood is increased many times, its transporters only manage to remove it into the tissues, and the liver cannot cope with its excess. Because of all these damages, the vessels lose their extensibility, become more sensitive to vasoconstrictors (factors that narrow them), arterial hypertension increases, and the main “pump” begins to suffer. Atherosclerosis also damages vessels of ever smaller caliber, the most important of which are coronary (the heart's own arteries) and brain. The plaques that block the blood flow and narrow the lumen of the arteries keep growing, and eventually there is a sharp ischemia of the organs. The most threatening conditions against this background are myocardial infarction and

At any stage of the development of atherosclerosis, the stabilization of the condition and the prevention of the development of the most dangerous complications primarily depend on the patient's consciousness. If initially there was no elevated cholesterol in the blood, if the patient did not aggravate his condition by the abuse of toxic substances, tobacco and alcohol, led a mobile lifestyle and brought his weight at least a little closer to normal, then the progression of this life-threatening disease would stop. Therefore, the doctor should, first of all, recommend to the patient to adjust his regimen and nutrition, to engage in physical culture, if possible, to spend his weekends in nature, and not on the couch in front of the TV. Give up smoking and taking alcohol-containing drinks, eat more vegetables, fruits, natural juices, meat, cook food mainly by steaming or using the boiled method. Thus, it is necessary to eliminate the causes of high cholesterol in the blood by all means, and then deal with the treatment of the existing background disease. In extreme cases, special drugs are used to stabilize its concentration - statins.

The main reason is malnutrition.

Now let's take a look at the blood. The main reason for this is, of course, poor human nutrition, which is why this substance, which is necessary for the synthesis of many hormones and the formation of a cell membrane, is not properly utilized and circulates in the blood as part of its transporters. And, most importantly, it is there in excess. So, there are foods that increase cholesterol in the blood. First of all, it is, of course, fatty meats - beef and pork. Moreover, it should be remembered that even in their fillet enough cholesterol is hidden. Further, this is poultry meat - geese, ducks, turkeys.

Other products

Thirdly, these are eggs, mayonnaise prepared on their basis and high-calorie dairy products - butter, sour cream (especially homemade), cheese, full-fat yogurt. However, it should be remembered here that cholesterol is concentrated in the yolk, but egg white is mandatory for humans, since it contains essential amino acids and is 100% absorbed, so you can only eat the white part of the egg or limit the amount to one or two pieces per week. And the top of the list of junk food, not only in terms of atherogenic effect, is semi-finished products, industrial baked goods and fast food. Other foods that increase blood cholesterol are processed meats. That is, sausages, sausages, boiled pork, ham and other types of smoked meats.

What to do?

Of course, the main question that worries patients if high cholesterol was found in their biochemical blood test: "What should I do?" First, transfer it (analysis) to your doctor so that he can conduct other laboratory and instrumental studies to make your diagnosis and prescribe corrective treatment. However, it is in your power to help him a lot in this. Namely, to reduce this most elevated cholesterol. What to do with your diet in order to achieve normalization of indicators, you will be prompted by a therapeutic diet (table) No. 10c. It is indicated for all patients with ischemic heart disease and hypertension due to atherosclerotic vascular disease.

Diet number 10-C

Its goal is to prevent further development of the disease, namely: to reduce excess weight, provide all energy needs without overloading internal organs, improve metabolism and blood circulation of the heart and brain so that heart attack and stroke are excluded. Since the treatment of high cholesterol in the blood largely depends on nutrition! In it, first of all, the content of animal fats and those carbohydrates that are easily digested are sharply reduced. In addition, the amount of water and table salt consumed, and, of course, cholesterol, is limited. And, on the contrary, the content of the most important trace elements for the heart (potassium, magnesium), vitamins (B and C), and dietary fiber is increased. Food is mainly prepared by boiled and stewed methods. In addition, fractional frequent meals are recommended - in 4-5 doses per day.

Main part

In detail, with this diet, products from muffin or puff pastry, any broths (except for vegetables, but not legumes), fatty meats and poultry, as well as canned food, sausages, smoked meats and brains, are completely excluded from the patient's diet, the same applies salted or smoked fish and caviar, high-fat dairy products (cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, cream). In addition, it is very important not to consume chocolate, ice cream and confectionery with cream, mustard and pepper, fish, meat and mushroom sauces, strong coffee, tea or cocoa. On the contrary, it is recommended: soups (in milk or vegetable broth), boiled or baked dishes from lean meats, fish and poultry, similar types of cheese, cottage cheese or sour cream, cereals (buckwheat, oatmeal, millet, barley), cabbage is very welcome in any form, as well as zucchini, eggplant, pumpkin, potatoes or green peas.

Snacks and desserts

Salads are recommended with oil dressing: vinaigrettes, seaweed, seafood. And in its raw form, it is better to use lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes and herbs, various fruits, except for those that contain glucose in excess. Of the drinks, dried fruit compotes, as well as fresh juices, are most welcome. Of course, it is extremely difficult to switch to a diet so abruptly, but deviation from it and errors can dramatically worsen the patient's health. Therefore, in order to still stop in the blood and adhere to therapeutic nutrition, there are several simple tricks.

Special Moves

First, you should remove from your eyes all those foods that are strictly prohibited in the diet. Better yet, if you stop buying them. The fewer of them in the refrigerator, the less risk of eating them. Second, learn how to walk to the grocery store the right way. Always make a list at home and strictly follow it, and in the supermarket, try to stay closer to the walls, since all processed foods are usually located in the center: sausages, canned food, fast food, and so on. And when you buy something, first of all, carefully read the composition and calorie content. Also, every time you go to the store, be sure to buy those vegetables or fruits that you have not bought for a long time, and eat them fresh at home or cook healthy dishes from them. Try to switch from the usual animal fats to those found in sea fish, nuts and olive oil. Not only will they not harm your diet, but on the contrary, they will lower your blood cholesterol levels due to their structure. Never exclude meat from your diet. It is vital, just learn how to choose it correctly. Choose lean poultry (chicken, turkey) and lean beef or rabbit. Cook dishes from sea fish more often, bake it in the oven, steam it with vegetables, add it to salads and snacks. Snack at work not with a fresh banana or a couple of apples, this will better saturate you and charge you with energy and vitamins before a full meal. It is advisable to write down in a special notebook everything that you ate during the day, since losing excess weight is the first and most important step in keeping your body healthy!

Hypercholesterolemia does not always appear in a person immediately, as this indicator goes beyond the normal range. Signs of high cholesterol in the initial stages do not appear. A person may not know about dysmetabolic disorders occurring in his body for a long time. Often, an increase in cholesterol levels is detected by chance during a routine examination.

Severe symptoms with high cholesterol occur as signs of diseases that have developed as a result of lipid metabolism disorders. These pathologies include angina pectoris, coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, and others.

It is necessary to distinguish between "bad" and "good" cholesterol. The first is low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and the “good” is called high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Bad cholesterol is not soluble, so it can be deposited on the walls of blood vessels, forming plaques and blood clots. Good cholesterol is able to attach to bad cholesterol and transport it to the liver cells, where it is safely excreted from the body. In other words, HDL lowers the concentration of HLDL in the blood, so in the case of hypercholesterolemia, special attention is paid to raising the level of “bad” cholesterol, and treatment is partly aimed at increasing the concentration of “good” lipids in the blood.

Why is cholesterol dangerous?

Cholesterol in the blood is vital, it is involved in many important processes in the body. But when the level of "bad" cholesterol goes beyond the norm, serious changes begin to occur in the cardiovascular system, which entail severe, in rare cases, fatal health consequences.

Speaking of hypercholesterolemia, it is important to take into account the level of triglycerides - a special form of cholesterol, the increase of which also increases the risk of developing cardiovascular pathologies. Therefore, the danger from lipid metabolism can be said in the case when there are interconnected processes of increasing the level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides against the background of a simultaneous decrease in the concentration of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the blood.

An excess of lipids in the blood leads to the following negative consequences:

thickening of the vascular walls due to the adherence of cholesterol to them;
decrease in the degree of vascular conductivity;
deterioration of the circulatory process;
deterioration of the functioning of systems and organs due to their insufficient blood supply.

If you diagnose this pathology in time and immediately begin treatment, you can stop these pathological processes and reduce the risks of developing many diseases to a minimum. Otherwise, serious diseases begin to develop, primarily the cardiovascular system is affected. The result of an increase in the level of cholesterol in the blood can be such diseases as myocardial infarction, hypertensive crisis, angina pectoris, cerebral stroke, coronary heart disease. But first of all, a violation of lipid metabolism becomes a harbinger of vascular atherosclerosis.

A large amount of "bad" fats can be deposited on the walls of blood vessels, due to which the flexible tissue becomes more vulnerable and fragile until the capillaries harden. Cholesterol plaques can form in the lumen of blood vessels in any part of the body. Sometimes the plaques increase significantly in size and form a blood clot, which can make it difficult or completely stop the flow of blood to the cells. They, in turn, do not receive the necessary nutrients and die.

The greatest danger is a detached blood clot, which can get anywhere through the blood artery, even to the brain. Then a stroke of the brain develops, death can occur. In addition, there is evidence of the effect of high blood cholesterol on the development of Alzheimer's disease.

How to suspect high cholesterol

It should be noted right away that in the initial stages of this process, a person in most cases does not feel any changes. It is possible to suspect a violation of lipid metabolism in the body only after the diagnosis. There is only one conclusion - you need to monitor your health regularly and annually to take a biochemical blood test.

However, there are the first signs of high cholesterol, to which a person does not always pay attention in a timely manner and goes to see a doctor. They begin to appear when the first failures in the work of the cardiovascular system occur. These include the following:

discomfort in the region of the heart during excitement;
difficulty walking;
increased blood pressure;
occasional intermittent claudication. This sign indicates the presence of atherosclerotic plaques in the arteries of the lower extremities.

A characteristic symptom that speaks of high cholesterol is angina pectoris. Pain behind the sternum appears during arousal, physical exertion, but with running processes of a dysmetabolic disorder, discomfort can be felt even at rest. The symptom appears as a result of narrowing of the vessels that are involved in the blood supply to the heart muscle.

If the vessels that supply the tissues of the legs are affected, a person feels weakness and even pain in the lower extremities during physical work, exercise, and fast walking. This symptom appears due to the narrowing of the lumen of the affected vessels.

In addition, a person may note that he began to get tired faster, his physical activity decreased, and his memory worsened. In any case, if any symptoms of a deterioration in the condition appear, you should contact a specialist who will find out the reasons for their appearance and assess all the risks.

External signs of high cholesterol

Lipid imbalance is not an independent disease, but a provoking factor in cardiovascular pathologies. Basically, it is manifested by symptoms of developed diseases of the heart or blood vessels, but there are also some external signs that often appear in adults over 40-50 years old.

An excess of cholesterol in the blood can cause the appearance of xanthoma - formations on the skin, consisting of accumulated lipids. This happens for one reason - one of the functions of the skin is called excretory, therefore, in case of metabolic disorders, part of the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is displayed on its surface.

Xanthomas appear on the skin near blood vessels and tend to grow if the level of "bad" cholesterol in the blood also increases. Such formations can appear on different parts of the body, so there are 5 types of them:

Flat. Appear near the skin folds on the soles and palms.
Xanthelasma - fatty plaques near the eyes, have a bright yellow color. The most common type of xanthoma.
Tendon. Localized over the tendons.
Tuberous. Appear on the skin of the elbows, knees, fingers, buttocks.
Multiple nodules. They can appear on several parts of the body at once.

Older patients (after 50 years) may experience cholesterol deposits in the cornea. Such an external sign is called a lipoid arch, and only an experienced specialist can recognize it. Lipoid arch has a light gray tint, but may be white. Often this symptom is a sign of the hereditary nature of dysmetabolic disorders in the body.

Another external sign, which at first glance has nothing to do with an excess of cholesterol, is early gray hair. Gray hair develops due to atherosclerosis of the capillaries of the hair follicles.

But you should not wait for the first signs of hypercholesterolemia, since their appearance means quite serious, sometimes irreversible changes in the body that require serious treatment. It is necessary to take tests every year on your own initiative, especially if there is a genetic predisposition to dysmetabolic diseases. It is worth noting that in women and men, an excess of "bad" cholesterol can manifest itself with its own characteristics.

Features in women

The first sign of lipid imbalance in the female body is a waist circumference of more than 88 centimeters. It is in this area that “bad” cholesterol tends to be deposited. For slender women, another test can be performed, which can alert if “critical” results are detected. It is necessary to measure the circumference of the waist and hips, and then calculate the ratio between them. If the resulting figure exceeds 0.8, it is worth donating blood to determine the level of cholesterol. This is due to the fact that in obese women, due to certain physiological characteristics, the metabolism and redistribution of fats in the body is difficult.

In addition, you should pay attention to menstrual flow. If they are quite abundant and you can often trace the presence of clots in them, it is worth visiting a gynecologist and a therapist, passing the necessary tests and finding out the nature of this symptom.

Women are more likely to suffer from varicose veins of the lower extremities. For this reason, they need to carefully monitor the condition of the legs. Indirect signs indicating a failure of lipid metabolism in the body can be frequent swelling of the legs, thrombosis and thrombophlebitis.

Features in men

Most often in men, hypercholesterolemia is manifested by painful sensations behind the sternum and the occurrence of dagger pains in the lower extremities during exercise or hard work that requires effort. Men are more likely to experience early gray hair, so do not neglect professional advice in this case, as the reasons can be the most serious.

In men whose blood levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol are elevated, potency may deteriorate. Such an unpleasant symptom occurs due to the appearance of plaques in the vessels that feed the hip area and the penis itself. Over time, the vessels lose their elasticity, their walls thicken, and atherosclerotic plaques may appear. All this affects the blood supply to the inguinal zone, so the erection during sexual arousal is not as strong as before.

Deterioration of erection can also be observed when the veins of the lower extremities are affected by varicose veins, when against its background, due to high cholesterol, thrombophlebitis and thrombosis of the veins of the legs develop. This factor affects the deterioration of blood transport to the groin area, because of which the man has problems of an intimate nature.

Methods of treatment and prevention

If symptoms of hypercholesterolemia appear, first of all, you should immediately consult a doctor and pass all the necessary tests and undergo diagnostic examinations that will help to reliably determine the nature of the pathology and establish the factor that provoked it. In no case should you independently look for recipes for traditional medicine and try them on yourself. Any treatment must be agreed with the doctor.

The second thing that is required from a person with a high level of "bad" cholesterol in the blood is a change in lifestyle. The main thing is the observance of certain nutritional rules: the rejection of a large amount of fatty foods, especially those that contain large amounts of cholesterol and trans fats. In nutrition, it is worth giving preference to foods with a low glycemic index - this is the basis for maintaining health in such patients.

It is worth starting to engage in feasible physical exercises, which the doctor will also recommend, taking into account the individual characteristics of the body and existing concomitant diseases. Normalization of weight is an important component of therapy.

In the normalization of lipid levels in the blood, an important place is occupied by drug therapy. The vast majority of patients are prescribed statins as the main drug, but they have many contraindications, so they can be replaced with other drugs. Statins block the production of cholesterol by liver cells, therefore they are the most effective for normalizing lipid metabolism.

As part of complex therapy, the following medications can be prescribed:

preparations of nicotinic acid. They help to increase the level of "good" cholesterol in the blood, due to which fat metabolism is normalized;
bile acid sequestrants increase the excretion of fats and their derivatives from the body;
fibric acid derivatives promote the mobilization of fat from the liver.

If the increase in cholesterol in the blood was provoked by another disease, the patient will initially be prescribed therapy for this disease.

It should be understood that all medicines and individual treatment regimens are selected only by a doctor, based on the characteristics of the body and the course of the disease. You can not start treatment on your own or purchase advertised dietary supplements, noting the symptoms of hypercholesterolemia. Even these drugs have their contraindications and side effects.

Diet for high blood cholesterol

Very often from TV screens and from the headlines of articles we hear about terrible cholesterol. Your doctor also talks about it, and a neighbor with high cholesterol is in the hospital. It is worth figuring out why its increase is dangerous, and most importantly, which diet against cholesterol will help you stay healthy.

Danger of high cholesterol

Modern lifestyle: physical inactivity, canned foods, sausages and fast food often cause cholesterol levels to rise above the normal 5 mmol / l. An excess of it cannot float in the blood for a long time, cholesterol begins to attach to the walls of blood vessels, forming cholesterol "deposits" called plaques. If the doctor found you have such a plaque in one place, then all the vessels are affected, to one degree or another, because the blood flows the same - with high cholesterol. The larger the plaque, the less blood passes in this place. If this is a vessel that feeds the heart, then there will be pain in the heart, if it is a vessel of the brain, then the person will suffer from headaches, memory loss and dizziness. Absolutely all organs are damaged from high cholesterol, even the skin - after all, it also feeds on blood through vessels narrowed by plaques.

Diet Features

The high cholesterol diet is collectively referred to as the "Mediterranean" diet. Its main principles are several servings of seafood per week, low-fat cheeses, fresh vegetables combined with olive oil, and lots of fruit. The basic rules of nutrition for high cholesterol, especially in men and women after 50 years, can be formulated as follows:

meals in small portions, at least four times a day;
minimize the use of salt in cooking - it will retain liquid and create an extra load on the heart;
exclude fried and smoked. Food should be steamed, boiled, stewed or baked. As an alternative and an opportunity to diversify the menu, you can use a Teflon-coated grill pan. It will allow you to cook a tasty and healthy product without oil, essentially baking.
minimally consume industrial products - sausages, canned foods, fast foods. All these products for cheapness contain in parallel with meat and offal. In the table below, you can see that they are champions in terms of cholesterol content.

All products used for proper nutrition with high cholesterol should contain its minimum amount. A person needs no more than 400 mg of cholesterol per day, and if cholesterol is elevated in an elderly man or woman, then no more than 200 mg. This is quite a lot, because we get only a third of the necessary fat with food, the remaining two-thirds are formed in the liver and intestines. The table below lists information about the cholesterol content of some foods. Focusing on her data, you can easily understand which foods should not be consumed with high cholesterol.

Product	Cholesterol content, mg
lamb without fat	98
beef	80
turkey	40
rabbit	91
white meat chicken	79
brain	768-2300
beef liver	80
kidneys	300-800
veal	80
chick	20
lean fish	55
medium fat fish	88
boiled sausage	40
smoked sausage	112
cottage cheese 18%	57
cottage cheese 8%	32
egg yolk (1 egg)	250
egg white	0
cheese	67

Prohibited products

Consider what foods should not be consumed with high cholesterol:

fatty meats - pork, lamb, poultry - duck and goose;
especially should be forbidden to eat offal (brains, kidneys, liver). They contain phenomenally high amounts of cholesterol;
oily fish - mackerel, herring. It is undesirable to often eat trout, salmon and other fatty red varieties of fish;
fatty dairy products - homemade cottage cheese, milk with a fat content of more than 3.2%, cream, sour cream;
cooking oils - palm oil, mayonnaise, industrial confectionery products contain a large amount of trans fats. They indirectly affect cholesterol levels, increasing it and increasing the load on the liver;
sausages, sausages, sausages, store cuts - the technology for their manufacture involves the addition of pork fat and offal, which contain a lot of cholesterol;

Approved Products

A diet according to which a person with high cholesterol can eat properly must necessarily include:

a large amount of fresh fruits and vegetables, at least 400 g per day;
unsaturated oils - unrefined sunflower, olive;
baked and stewed vegetables;
rarely - potatoes, preferably baked or steamed;
lean meats - skinned chicken and turkey, rabbit, rarely beef and veal;
low-fat dietary fish varieties - cod, haddock, capelin, pike;
low fat dairy products. At the same time, preference should be given to products with a low fat content (1.5%, 0.5%) over fat-free ones, since the latter are artificially devoid of fat by increasing the carbohydrate content;
low-fat dietary cheeses - soft unripe cheeses, such as Adyghe, feta cheese;
spaghetti - only from durum wheat, avoiding pasta from soft varieties as a source of easily digestible carbohydrates;
bread with bran, from wholemeal flour, whole grain bread.

Weekly menu including gala dinner option

It is not at all difficult, adhering to the above rules, to draw up an approximate menu for a week, which, for all its satiety, is a cholesterol-lowering diet.

Monday

Breakfast. Millet porridge, crumbly, on water or on water in half with milk and pumpkin. Apple juice, bread.

Dinner. Chicken soup with greens (without frying, remove the skin from the chicken, pasta from durum flour, do not add salt to the soup). Friable buckwheat porridge, cabbage, carrot and onion salad. Grilled fish cutlet.

Dinner. Baked potatoes - two medium potatoes. Salad of beans, tomatoes and herbs. Bread with bran.

Two hours before bedtime / afternoon snack. Homemade yogurt, homemade oatmeal cookies.

Tuesday

Breakfast. Curd casserole with raisins. Tea with milk 1.5%.

Dinner. Soup with beef. Durum wheat pasta with vegetables. Chicken fillet baked.

Dinner. Brown rice (do not add salt). Seaweed salad. Egg. Coarse bread.

Two hours before bedtime / afternoon snack. Nuts (hazelnuts, almonds, walnuts). Compote.

Wednesday

Breakfast. Oatmeal with berries. Sandwich: wholemeal bread, curd cheese, tomato, greens. Compote.

Dinner. Mushroom soup. Vegetables from a double boiler, stewed beef, Beijing cabbage and cucumber salad. Bread with bran.

Dinner. Buckwheat porridge with chicken. The vinaigrette.

Two hours before bedtime / afternoon snack: Yogurt, baked cheesecake.

Thursday

Breakfast. Low fat cottage cheese with fruits and yogurt. Compote.

Dinner. The soup is vegetarian. Barley porridge with chicken meatballs. Chinese cabbage salad.

Dinner. Steamed fish cutlet with potatoes and vegetables.

Two hours before bedtime / afternoon snack. Kefir, homemade oatmeal cookies.

Friday

Breakfast. Omelet with vegetables. Tea. Bread.

Dinner. Soup with turkey meatballs. Spaghetti made from durum wheat. Baked haddock.

Dinner. Pilaf with mushrooms. Cabbage and carrot salad.

Two hours before bedtime / afternoon snack. Yogurt, apple.

Saturday (+ gala dinner)

Breakfast. Barley porridge. Tea. Sandwich with homemade chicken pasta.

Dinner. Ear with white fish. Buckwheat porridge with beef. Salad of beets and peas.

Dinner. Rice with vegetables. Grilled fish steak. Greek salad. Bread with bran. Sliced fresh vegetables. Sliced homemade chicken pasta. Appetizer of cherry tomatoes stuffed with curd cheese and garlic. Cottage cheese cake with blueberries. Wine red (150-200 ml)

Sunday

Breakfast. Pancakes with low-fat sour cream / honey / homemade jam. Fruit tea.

Dinner. Soup with beef. Vegetables with chicken.

Dinner. Baked potatoes - two medium potatoes, turkey. Cabbage and carrot salad with cucumber.

Two hours before bedtime / afternoon snack. Yogurt, cake.

During the day, unlimited: decoctions of dried fruits, fruit drinks, compotes. Fresh fruits - apples, pears, peaches, oranges, tangerines. Green tea.

All salads are dressed with unrefined sunflower oil, olive oil, lemon or lime juice.

All food is not salted - that is, we add half as much salt as you would like. The first few days the food will seem insipid, but the taste buds of the tongue will quickly get used to it. Soups are prepared without the addition of frying. Fresh herbs are added to salads and soups - parsley, dill, cilantro.

Recipes for some of the dishes on the menu

Recipes of some dishes for proper nutrition with high cholesterol.

Grilled fish cutlet

Fish fillet 600 g.

Two medium bulbs.

Salt pepper.

Pass everything through a fine mesh meat grinder. You can finely chop the ingredients. Drain off excess liquid, mold into patties. Cook on a grill pan for 3-5 minutes on each side.

Grilled fish steak

Steak, up to 2 cm thick. (Better: cod. Acceptable: pink salmon, trout, chum salmon)

Remove the steak from the refrigerator and bring to room temperature, do not salt before cooking. You can use allspice and lemon juice. Heat the grill pan, lay the steaks diagonally to the strips. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side. If the steak is thicker than 1.5 cm - after cooking, turn off the heat, cover, leave for 10 minutes.

Homemade chicken pastor

Chicken fillet - two pieces (about 700-800 g).

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon lemon juice

2 tablespoons soy sauce

3 garlic cloves, minced

Powdered sweet paprika, ground black pepper.

Mix everything, grease the chicken fillet on all sides, leave it in the marinade for at least half an hour, preferably overnight. Tie the fillet with a thread, forming "sausages", lay on the foil. Pour the remaining marinade on top. Wrap the foil. Bake at 200 degrees for 20 minutes. Then open the foil and leave to cool in the oven. After cooling, remove the thread, cut into slices.

Homemade oatmeal cookies

Oat flour - 2 cups

Wheat flour - half cup

Honey - 1 tablespoon

Sugar - two tablespoons

Butter of good quality - 50 grams

Baking powder

In a bowl, mix the egg and sugar until the latter dissolves. Add softened butter, honey, flour and baking powder. You will get a stretchy sticky dough. We make round cookies from it, put it on a baking sheet. Bake at 180 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Allow cookies to cool before serving.

homemade yogurt

1 liter pasteurized milk 1.5% fat

Dry sourdough

We heat the milk to 40 degrees - this is a fairly hot liquid, but it does not burn. We dissolve the sourdough, put the milk in the slow cooker on the “Yogurt” mode or wrap a cup with milk and place it in a warm place. The preparation time for yogurt is 4-8 hours. In the finished product, add sugar, berries, fruits to taste.

Cholesterol is a substance from which our body synthesizes sex hormones and vitamin D, so it cannot be unambiguously considered always harmful. But in people of mature age, cholesterol is no longer consumed as before, but remains in the blood. Such cholesterol causes unpleasant symptoms in a person. Therefore, it is extremely important to follow a diet to lower cholesterol, the basic principles of which, including a detailed menu with recipes, are outlined above.

Diseases with high cholesterol

Cholesterol (cholesterol) is a fat-soluble lipophilic alcohol that is produced in the human body. It is found in cell membranes and plays an important role in the functioning of the nervous and immune systems.

An increased concentration of a substance leads to the development of atherosclerosis. If the total cholesterol is 9 mmol / l and above, then there is a threat to health. With a high rate, a strict diet and drugs are prescribed that lower cholesterol levels.

Indicators

Cholesterol is insoluble in water, and is delivered to the tissues of the body by water-soluble high and low density lipoproteins (HDL, LDL). The higher the LDL content, the more likely the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, because it precipitates cholesterol crystals.

The increased content of HDL contributes to the protection of blood vessels from the formation of plaques, prevents cholesterol from settling on the walls. The concentration of LDL in the norm can be no higher than 2.59 mmol / l.

If the indicator is higher than 4.14, then diet therapy is prescribed to reduce
of LDL level. The value of total cholesterol in women and men has a different meaning:

up to 40 years in men, the cholesterol level should not be more than 2.0–6.0 mmol / l;
for women under 41, this figure should not be higher than 3.4–6.9;
up to 50 years, the concentration of total cholesterol in men is not more than 2.2–6.7;
the level of total cholesterol in women over 50 years of age is not higher than 3.0–6.86.

The total level of cholesterol in the blood with age in men can reach up to 7.2 mmol / l, and in women not higher than 7.7.

Risk group

Violation of lipid metabolism invariably contributes to the development of atherosclerosis. The main factors in the formation of cholesterol plaques are:

smoking, drinking alcohol;
overweight;
sedentary lifestyle;
malnutrition with a high content of animal fats;
dysfunction of the endocrine system (diabetes mellitus);
genetic predisposition;
hypertension.

Cholesterol plaques can cause vascular disease of the heart, brain, lower extremities, intestines, kidneys, and aorta.

Thoracic aorta

The largest vessel in the human body that runs from the thoracic region to the abdominal cavity. It is conditionally divided into two parts - chest and abdominal. If there is high cholesterol, then cholesterol settles on the inner walls of blood vessels.

At the same time, they lose their elasticity, the lumen of the vessels narrows, and there is a possibility of thrombosis. This serves as a risk of myocardial infarction, a stroke is possible. The development of the disease is gradual.

If high cholesterol prevails in the thoracic region, then diseases of the heart vessels are possible. The initial symptoms of high cholesterol in the blood can be the following factors:

pain behind the sternum, which is periodic, lasts for several days;
give to the arm, neck, lower back, upper abdomen;
high cholesterol is accompanied by high systolic blood pressure;
active pulsation in the intercostal spaces on the right side;
convulsive states are possible when turning the head.

Abdominal aorta

Elevated cholesterol in the abdominal aorta is a common disease. The accumulation of cholesterol plaques leads to calcification with further blockage of blood vessels. As a result of a violation of fat metabolism in the body, the activity of low and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) is manifested.

An increase in the level of LDL and VLDL above the norm contributes to the formation of cholesterol plaques. The blood supply to the pelvic organs and lower extremities is disturbed. With high cholesterol in the branches of the aorta of the abdominal cavity, there are severe abdominal pains that begin after eating.

The work of the intestines is disturbed, the appetite worsens. As a result of high cholesterol in the body, diseases of the visceral arteries, peritonitis, and kidney failure can develop.

Vessels of the brain

If the balance between LDL and HDL is disturbed, with an increased level of LDL, cholesterol is deposited on the walls of the vessels of the brain, thereby worsening its passage of blood through the arteries. Connective tissue grows around cholesterol plaques, calcium salts are deposited.

When the lumen of the vessel narrows, atherosclerosis progresses. This leads to memory impairment, increased fatigue, and insomnia. A person becomes excitable, he has tinnitus, dizziness, his character traits change.

In combination with hypertension, elevated blood cholesterol can lead to stroke, cerebral hemorrhage.

Heart

Elevated cholesterol levels can lead to cardiovascular disease. As a result of excessive levels of low-density cholesterol, plaques form on the vessels.

There is a narrowing of the lumen, reduced blood flow to the myocardium. The heart tissue does not receive enough oxygen. This causes pain, a heart attack may occur. Symptoms of high levels of "bad" cholesterol in the blood are:

pain behind the sternum on the left side, radiating to the arm and shoulder blade, aggravated by inhalation;
blood pressure becomes higher than normal;
there is shortness of breath, fatigue;
there are signs of angina pectoris.

Vessels of the lower extremities

If cholesterol in the blood is elevated, then this condition can affect the vessels of the legs. When it is higher than the norm, then the manifestations of symptoms may be as follows:

increased sensitivity to cold;
numbness and leg cramps;
intermittent claudication;
after damage to the skin tissues, trophic ulcers appear;
in the legs when walking or in a calm state, pain of varying intensity occurs.

The progression of the disease can affect the development of thrombosis. Sometimes a high level of cholesterol concentration causes an embolism.

renal arteries

If cholesterol is elevated in these arteries, then cholesterol plaques are found in the lumen of the vessels that supply blood to the kidneys. This condition contributes to the development of secondary hypertension.

If the content of cholesterol in the body is increased, then this can lead to kidney infarction. This occurs as a result of blockage of blood vessels. The supply of oxygen to the tissues of the kidneys is impaired. When the artery of one kidney is narrowed, the disease develops slowly.

When the arteries of two kidneys are affected, malignant hypertension is detected by changes in the urine. Due to increased "bad" cholesterol, thrombosis or aneurysm of the renal arteries may occur.

Against the background of a disease of the abdomen and lower back, pressure rises. If the disease is in advanced form, then it is complicated by trophic ulcers or gangrene.

Diagnostics

In order to determine how high the excess cholesterol in the blood is, it is necessary to undergo an examination. Lipidogram shows the ratio of total cholesterol, LDL and HDL, triglycerides in the blood.

A blood test can be used to judge the concentration of "bad" (LDL) and "good" (HDL) cholesterol. LDL contributes to the deposition of cholesterol plaques on the vessels, and HDL transfers fat-like substances from one cell to another, strengthens the walls of blood vessels.

High triglycerides depend on the age of the patient. A high triglyceride indicator indicates the risk of ischemia, myocardial infarction, hypertension, atherosclerosis, disorders in the vessels of the brain and other serious diseases.

By the low level of triglycerides, one can judge the state of the kidneys, muscle mass, and the nutrition system. It is important to monitor blood pressure. Patients with diabetes should constantly check their cholesterol levels to avoid complications.

Treatment

The main treatment for high cholesterol is diet therapy. The complex treatment for high cholesterol includes physical education. Massage improves vascular trophism.

If necessary, prescribe medication to lower cholesterol. Therapeutic drugs include statins and fibrates. To lower cholesterol, the use of Lecithin is recommended.

Diet food

With a high cholesterol content, it is recommended to reduce the consumption of foods that have animal fats. These include:

fatty meats;
fish caviar (red, black);
egg yolk;
liver (pork, chicken);
butter, sausages;
cream.

Eating these foods increases your cholesterol levels. It is recommended to include plant foods in the diet:

olive oil, avocados significantly reduce LDL;
bran contains fiber, which prevents the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine;
consuming flax seeds will reduce LDL by 14%;
garlic is known for its unique property to cleanse blood vessels of cholesterol;
tomatoes, grapefruit, watermelon contain lycopene, which reduces high cholesterol;
tincture of young walnuts;
green tea and dark chocolate 70% or more contain flavonols and sterols, which reduce high cholesterol by 5%.

Studies have shown that eating these foods lowers "bad" cholesterol, while HDL remains unchanged.

Statins

There is a definite relationship between high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease. The use of drugs of the statin group will reduce the likelihood of cardiac pathologies.

t blood circulation in the heart muscle, reduces thrombosis, improves heart rhythms.

Fibrates

The drugs are derivatives of fibric acid. They help to reduce the concentration of triglycerides, which are included in VLDL, LDL. Improve carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.

Lecithin

The liver is 50% lecithin. Lecithin contains phospholipids involved in cell regeneration. Lecithin delivers nutrients to all body tissues. The drug is prescribed as a prophylactic and therapeutic agent after a stroke, with diseases of the heart and blood vessels. Lecithin is of plant and animal origin.

High blood cholesterol is the cause of many diseases. To reduce its content, diet therapy and medicinal preparations of the statin group, fibrates and lecithin are prescribed.

If the indicator is higher than 4.14, then diet therapy is prescribed to reduce
of LDL level. The value of total cholesterol in women and men has a different meaning:

up to 40 years in men, the cholesterol level should not be more than 2.0–6.0 mmol / l;
for women under 41, this figure should not be higher than 3.4–6.9;
up to 50 years, the concentration of total cholesterol in men is not more than 2.2–6.7;
the level of total cholesterol in women over 50 years of age is not higher than 3.0–6.86.

The total level of cholesterol in the blood with age in men can reach up to 7.2 mmol / l, and in women not higher than 7.7.

Risk group

Violation of lipid metabolism invariably contributes to the development of atherosclerosis. The main factors in the formation of cholesterol plaques are:

smoking, drinking alcohol;
overweight;
sedentary lifestyle;
malnutrition with a high content of animal fats;
dysfunction of the endocrine system (diabetes mellitus);
genetic predisposition;
hypertension.

Cholesterol plaques can cause vascular disease of the heart, brain, lower extremities, intestines, kidneys, and aorta.

Thoracic aorta

If high cholesterol prevails in the thoracic region, then diseases of the heart vessels are possible. The initial symptoms of high cholesterol in the blood can be the following factors:

pain behind the sternum, which is periodic, lasts for several days;
give to the arm, neck, lower back, upper abdomen;
high cholesterol is accompanied by high systolic blood pressure;
active pulsation in the intercostal spaces on the right side;
convulsive states are possible when turning the head.

Abdominal aorta

The work of the intestines is disturbed, the appetite worsens. As a result of high cholesterol in the body, diseases of the visceral arteries, peritonitis, and kidney failure can develop.

Vessels of the brain

In combination with hypertension, elevated blood cholesterol can lead to stroke, cerebral hemorrhage.

Heart

Elevated cholesterol levels can lead to cardiovascular disease. As a result of excessive levels of low-density cholesterol, plaques form on the vessels.

pain behind the sternum on the left side, radiating to the arm and shoulder blade, aggravated by inhalation;
blood pressure becomes higher than normal;
there is shortness of breath, fatigue;
there are signs of angina pectoris.

Vessels of the lower extremities

If cholesterol in the blood is elevated, then this condition can affect the vessels of the legs. When it is higher than the norm, then the manifestations of symptoms may be as follows:

increased sensitivity to cold;
numbness and leg cramps;
intermittent claudication;
after damage to the skin tissues, trophic ulcers appear;
in the legs when walking or in a calm state, pain of varying intensity occurs.

The progression of the disease can affect the development of thrombosis. Sometimes a high level of cholesterol concentration causes an embolism.

renal arteries

When the arteries of two kidneys are affected, malignant hypertension is detected by changes in the urine. Due to increased "bad" cholesterol, thrombosis or aneurysm of the renal arteries may occur.

Against the background of a disease of the abdomen and lower back, pressure rises. If the disease is in advanced form, then it is complicated by trophic ulcers or gangrene.

Diagnostics

Treatment

The main treatment for high cholesterol is diet therapy. The complex treatment for high cholesterol includes physical education. Massage improves vascular trophism.

If necessary, prescribe medication to lower cholesterol. Therapeutic drugs include statins and fibrates. To lower cholesterol, the use of Lecithin is recommended.

Diet food

With a high cholesterol content, it is recommended to reduce the consumption of foods that have animal fats. These include:

fatty meats;
fish caviar (red, black);
egg yolk;
liver (pork, chicken);
butter, sausages;
cream.

Eating these foods increases your cholesterol levels. It is recommended to include plant foods in the diet:

olive oil, avocados significantly reduce LDL;
bran contains fiber, which prevents the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine;
consuming flax seeds will reduce LDL by 14%;
garlic is known for its unique property to cleanse blood vessels of cholesterol;
tomatoes, grapefruit, watermelon contain lycopene, which reduces high cholesterol;
tincture of young walnuts;
green tea and dark chocolate 70% or more contain flavonols and sterols, which reduce high cholesterol by 5%.

Studies have shown that eating these foods lowers "bad" cholesterol, while HDL remains unchanged.

Statins

There is a definite relationship between high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease. The use of drugs of the statin group will reduce the likelihood of cardiac pathologies.

t blood circulation in the heart muscle, reduces thrombosis, improves heart rhythms.

Fibrates

The drugs are derivatives of fibric acid. They help to reduce the concentration of triglycerides, which are included in VLDL, LDL. Improve carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.

Lecithin

Many people are concerned about high cholesterol levels. This violation can provoke the development of a large number of pathologies and significantly worsen the quality of life of patients. Symptoms of high cholesterol may be associated primarily with the development of cardiovascular disease.

With the problem of high blood pressure, pain in the chest, as well as a feeling of intermittent heart work, you should immediately consult a doctor. A comprehensive examination may be required, including a biochemical one to determine the level of cholesterol, triglycerides and high and low density lipoproteins.

In the main symptom of an increase in cholesterol levels, erectile dysfunction and impotence can become. This is due to blockage of blood vessels and can lead to the formation of blood clots.

As a rule, there is no one specific clinical symptom of high cholesterol. Violations of the norm provoke the development of a large number of diseases and treatment in each case is selected individually.

The main manifestation of high cholesterol is atherosclerosis. This disease requires complex treatment and dietary changes. But with all the recommendations of the doctor, it is easy to treat.

The symptoms of high cholesterol may be related to the following factors:

Leading a sedentary lifestyle;
Abuse of bad habits: smoking,;
Improper diet: a large amount of fatty foods, industrial sweets, etc.;
Congenital diseases: violations of the normal functioning of the adrenal glands, liver;
Taking certain groups of drugs can lead to violations of cholesterol levels in blood plasma: birth control pills, glucocorticoids, the use of thiazide diuretics and retinoids, as well as some groups of antihypertensive drugs. These drugs should be taken with extreme caution in those patients who have a predisposition to high cholesterol levels.
With the development of diabetes and obesity, symptoms of high blood cholesterol are also observed. People with these diseases require constant monitoring of triglyceride and lipoprotein levels in order to avoid a significant increase in performance.

Basic principles of treatment

Treatment of cholesterol and its symptoms usually begins with a strict diet. Patients are advised to exclude from their diet all fatty, salty, peppery foods; sweets, fatty cakes and cakes. From the diet, in addition to animal fats, it is necessary to exclude the use of coconut and palm oil. The use of oats, barley, beans, dried fruits allows you to saturate the body with the necessary fiber and bring cholesterol levels back to normal.

The doctor may prescribe drugs from the group of statins, fibroic acids, and choleretic drugs. From self-medication in this case it is necessary to refrain.

With a genetic predisposition to hypercholesterolemia, the situation becomes much more complicated and requires an integrated approach.

Disease danger

If symptoms of impaired cholesterol levels are detected, treatment should be started immediately. Any deviation from the norm is a pathology, therefore, even low cholesterol levels pose a serious danger to the patient's health. An increase in cholesterol provokes the development of a myocardial infarction, and low cholesterol can provoke a stroke. Symptoms of low cholesterol are observed when the ratio of high and low density lipoproteins is disturbed. In the event that there is more “good” cholesterol in human blood plasma than “bad” cholesterol, this is also a serious violation that requires timely therapy.

Symptoms of low blood cholesterol include:

The development of hemorrhagic stroke, which is associated with impaired cerebral circulation.
Violation of the normal functioning of the thyroid gland, which can provoke the development of the disease hypothyroidism.
development of osteoporosis. In particular, this applies to those women who have entered the menopause period.
Decreased libido and sexual functions. Women may experience problems when trying to get pregnant. This symptom of cholesterol is the most dangerous and requires immediate correction for the normal, harmonious development of the fetus.
An increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
With a low cholesterol level, there is a violation of the delivery of nutrients (for example, fat-soluble vitamins) to organs and tissues, which can lead to the development of various pathologies.
In the event that the patient systematically suffers from disorders of the normal functioning of the intestines, this is an occasion to seek the advice of a doctor and check the level of cholesterol. Low cholesterol can cause this symptom.

The state of constant fatigue, drowsiness, depression can be nothing more than indicators of low cholesterol. If you notice any alarming symptoms, you should immediately seek medical advice. This allows you to protect yourself from the development of hemorrhagic stroke and a number of other pathologies.

Treatment consists of changing the diet. The use of beetroot juice concentrate, milk thistle and alpha-lipoic acid allows you to quickly normalize cholesterol levels.

What to do to lower cholesterol

Conditions such as systematic stress, a diet that includes a large amount of carbohydrates and glucose and a minimum amount of fat, abnormal functioning of the liver and thyroid gland, and poor absorption of food can lead to a persistent decrease in cholesterol levels. Reduced cholesterol levels are observed in people who are professionally involved in sports.

The indicator of the optimal level of cholesterol in the blood for each person is individual. Timely treatment of liver diseases, a proper, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle are key to maintaining all the necessary indicators in the normal range.

You should not wait for any clinical manifestation of elevated cholesterol levels in the form of atherosclerosis or heart attack. To avoid these diseases, it is necessary to systematically check the blood for cholesterol, triglycerides, high and low density lipoproteins. Quitting smoking also has a positive effect on the condition of blood vessels and prevents the formation of blood clots. Timely care of your own health can save you from a large number of diseases.

Heart disease doesn't always show up right away. Symptoms of high cholesterol are also not noticeable at the initial stage of hyperlipoproteinemia. Often, lipid metabolism disorders are detected by chance during a preventive examination.

General information

Cholesterol is a natural lipophilic alcohol that belongs to the group of sterols of animal origin.

Regulates the degree of permeability of cell membranes, which allows them to provide them with the necessary nutrients, remove decay products.
Participates in the synthesis of bile acids.
Necessary for the production of vitamin D, sex and steroid hormones.

Cholesterol molecules can be conditionally divided into good and bad.

LDL, VLDL. Low and very low density lipoproteins. Carry cholesterol produced by the liver to the tissues. Absorbed from the blood. They are conditionally called bad lipids, since they contain a large number of fat-like particles that settle on the vascular walls. Plaques form from cholesterol deposits, which narrow the lumen of the arteries and can cause the development of atherosclerosis.
HDL. High density lipoproteins. They take the remains of cholesterol from tissues, organs, vessels, transport it to the liver for further processing, or are completely eliminated from the body. Conditionally called good lipids.

Hypercholesterolemia is promoted by diseases of the internal organs, malnutrition (rich in animal fats, saturated fatty acids), and a hereditary factor.

Why is cholesterol dangerous?

It should be borne in mind that the negative consequences of hypercholesterolemia can be discussed when identifying the relationship between a decrease in the concentration of HDL, an increase in the amount of LDL and VLDL.

Excess bad cholesterol leads to the following vascular deformities:

thickening of the arterial walls;
decrease in elasticity;
narrowing of the lumen of blood vessels;
decrease in blood flow.

Negative changes in blood circulation disrupt the life support systems. With a long-term lipid imbalance, the risk of developing atherosclerosis or other serious diseases increases:

trophic ulcers, gangrene, atrophy of the muscles of the lower extremities;
stroke;
myocardial infarction;
ischemia of internal organs;
hypertension;
increased thrombosis.

Atherosclerotic plaques can affect any vessels. But most often the places of localization of deposits are large arteries: carotid, aorta, areas of its bifurcation, large vessels of the lower extremities.

How to identify a pathological condition

Signs of elevated cholesterol levels of the initial stage are not felt. It is possible to identify dyslipidemia only by the results of the diagnostics.

Clinical manifestations depend on the type of affected arteries:

Thoracic aorta. The most characteristic symptom is hypertension. It is characterized by a persistent increase in blood pressure (140 to 90 mm Hg and above). For a long time it is asymptomatic. With a long-term pathology, a significant damage to the walls of the artery, the heart begins to work with an increased load. Patients often feel tired, have a rapid heartbeat, and feel pain in their chest, left shoulder blade, or arm. Attacks of stenocardia or suffocation are possible. The condition is dangerous for its complications: heart attack, coronary artery disease, thromboembolism.
lower limbs. Symptoms of arterial lesions are manifested by short-term pain that occurs during physical exertion (running, walking for long distances). Pain intensifies, can occur even during a short walk. Periodically there is a numbness of toes. Partial or complete muscle atrophy develops, lameness, trophic ulcers, gangrene appear.
Brain. Excess cholesterol causes a lack of blood circulation in the vessels of the brain, slows down metabolic processes, which leads to deformation of nerve cells. Initially, the pathological condition is manifested by mild symptoms: recurrent headaches, tinnitus, poor performance, forgetfulness. With the progression of the disease, symptoms increase: the patient becomes aggressive, often becomes depressed, mood becomes unstable, speech problems may occur. The risk of developing a stroke or cerebral infarction increases.
Abdominal aorta. The defeat of the arteries of the abdominal cavity disrupts the blood circulation of the kidneys, the organs of the digestive tract, and the lower extremities. Symptoms appear when oxygen starvation of the internal organs occurs, due to a decrease in tissue blood flow. The patient experiences frequent abdominal pain, suffers from excessive gas formation, heartburn. Also possible: stool disorder, weight loss. If treatment is not started on time, the risk of complications increases - thrombosis or embolism.
Lungs. For a long time, the pathology is asymptomatic. Damage to the arteries against the background of high cholesterol is more often detected at an advanced stage, when the first signs of pulmonary insufficiency appear: cyanosis of the skin, shortness of breath, fatigue, persistent cough, enlarged veins in the neck.

It should be borne in mind that the clinical manifestations of high cholesterol can occur against the background of other chronic diseases. Therefore, if any symptoms appear that indicate a deterioration in health, it is necessary to consult a doctor for advice.

External signs of pathology

A high concentration of cholesterol, in addition to worsening the general condition, diseases of the internal organs, can be manifested by external symptoms:

Tendon xanthomas. Clusters under the skin of white or light yellow color. They form near blood vessels on tendons, skin folds, palms, soles of the feet.
Xanthelasma. Dense, fatty nodules of yellow color. Appear on the skin of the eyelids.
Tuberous xanthomas. Fat growths of large sizes from 1 to 5 cm. They have a dark yellow sometimes brown color. May appear on the fingers, elbows, knees, buttocks.
Lipoid arch. Deposits of cholesterol deposits in the area of the cornea of the eye. Has a white or light gray tint.

Rarely, in older people, high cholesterol causes gastric xanthomas to form. They are lipid plaques that grow on the mucous membrane of the organ. Relate to benign formations.

Early gray hair is a symptom, at first glance, completely unrelated to excess cholesterol. Loss of pigmentation occurs against the background of atherosclerosis of the blood capillaries of the hair follicles.

Hypercholesterolemia in women

The first external symptom of an increase in the concentration of cholesterol in women is the waist circumference, if it exceeds 88 cm, it is advisable to donate blood for a biochemical analysis.

In thin, slender women, it is necessary to measure the circumference of the hips and waist, calculate the ratio between these indicators. If the result is higher than 0.8, it is advisable to undergo an examination, pass the appropriate tests.

Swelling of the legs, varicose veins, from which women suffer, can also be an indirect sign of a lipid metabolism disorder.

Hypercholesterolemia in men

Elevated cholesterol in men is most often manifested by pain in the sternum. There may also be sharp pains in the legs during heavy physical work.

In 30% of cases, men suffering from atherosclerosis experience a decrease in erection. This condition occurs when the arteries of the groin or penis are affected by atheromatous plaques. It should be added that the deterioration of potency can occur against the background of damage to the arteries of the legs, when the condition is complicated by the formation of blood clots.

Features of treatment

Pass tests. They will help confirm or refute the diagnosis. Treatment of hypercholesterolemia should be comprehensive:

rejection of bad habits;
physical activity;
healthy eating;
taking specialized medications.

Nutrition Features

Diet therapy involves the use of products that normalize lipid metabolism, the exclusion of dishes containing animal fats and cholesterol, as well as adherence to a diet.

offal;
fatty meats;
butter;
margarine;
egg yolk;
fatty dairy products;
canned meat, semi-finished products;
sweets, confectionery.

This will help reduce the intake of cholesterol and fats from food, reduce the calorie content of meals to the recommended 2000 kcal / day.

The basis of the daily menu should be the following products:

fruits vegetables;
berries;
cereals;
fish;
vegetable oils;
greens;
low-fat dairy products;
soy products;
mushrooms;
compotes, fruit drinks, juices.

Such a diet will help restore the properties of the arteries, cleanse them of atherosclerotic growths, and remove excess cholesterol from the body.

ethnoscience

You can lower high cholesterol with the help of folk remedies. They give a good effect in conjunction with diet therapy. They can also be used to prevent hypercholesterolemia, general strengthening of the body.

The following recipes are most effective:

Garlic tincture. The head of garlic is peeled, chopped, poured with 1 glass of vodka. Insist in a warm, dark place for at least 7 days. Filter, take 10 drops three times / day with meals. The course of treatment is 1 month. Tincture removes excess LDL from the body, improves the condition of blood vessels, strengthens the immune system.
Linseed oil. Drink 1 tbsp. l. thrice/day before meals. The oil helps to reduce the level of total cholesterol, restores the elasticity of arteries and veins, reduces cholesterol plaques. The duration of therapy is 1.5 months.
Potato juice. Raw potatoes are rubbed on a fine grater, squeezed out the juice, drunk on an empty stomach. The tool helps to normalize lipid metabolism, removes low-density lipoproteins from the body.
Honey lemon mixture. Grind one lemon in a blender, add 1 tbsp. l. honey. Take in the morning on an empty stomach, 2 tbsp. l. The tool helps to strengthen the immune system, slows down the progression of atherosclerosis, restores the properties of blood vessels.
Decoctions from medicinal plants: hawthorn, wild rose, periwinkle, Caucasian Dioscorea. To prepare a decoction, take 100 g of raw materials, pour 300 ml of boiling water, insist for at least 4 hours. Strained broth is taken three times / day before meals. To prepare a multicomponent decoction, the ingredients are taken equally so that the total amount is 100 g.

In addition to restoring the arteries, all means help to normalize blood pressure and the functioning of the cardiovascular system.

Medications

They are used to treat dyslipidemia when conservative methods have not brought any effect. The vast majority of patients with atherosclerosis are prescribed specialized lipid-lowering drugs -. However, they have multiple contraindications, side effects, in some cases they can be replaced or supplemented:

fibrates. Designed to normalize lipid metabolism. Effectively reduce the concentration of organic fats. May be used in conjunction with statins.
Bile acid sequestrants. Reduce the production of bile acids. The liver begins to expend excess cholesterol to replenish their amount.
A nicotinic acid. Normalizes lipid metabolism by reducing blood viscosity, expands the vascular lumen, increases elasticity.

Literature

Jacquelyn Cafasso. Symptoms of High Cholesterol, 2016
Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM. High Cholesterol, 2011
Jennifer Moll, PharmD. The Symptoms of High Cholesterol, 2018

Last updated: August 22, 2019