High cholesterol is a condition when you have too many lipids or fats in your blood. Also referred to as hyperlipidemia, it is closely linked with other medical problems like autoimmune disease and coronary artery disease.
However, high cholesterol can also occur due to other diseases that trigger inflammation in the body, such as lupus.
As a leading provider of health care in Texas, we will discuss the most common causes of high cholesterol that you should know about:
- Uncontrolled Stress
Chronic stress is linked to several health problems, including hyperlipidemia. Stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol can trigger changes that may lead to inflammation and higher blood sugar levels. This increases the risk of bad cholesterol and lowers the levels of good cholesterol. Over time, this causes the liver to pump out more cholesterol and triglycerides or blood fats.
- Certain Medications
Some medications may affect your cholesterol levels. Common examples include corticosteroids, birth control pills, and anticonvulsants. Some medicines used to treat hypertension like diuretics and older types of beta-blockers can also raise cholesterol levels. Talk to your physician about any medications that you take that may cause high cholesterol.
- Sedentary Lifestyle
When your lifestyle consists of prolonged periods sitting down at a desk or on a couch, your cholesterol levels may rise. To improve cardiovascular health, remember to take frequent breaks. Stand up at least every 30 minutes and go for a 5-minute walk every hour in addition to regular exercise.
CRESTVIEW HEALTH PLLC is a trusted provider of internal medicine in San Antonio, Texas. In addition to high cholesterol, we treat a wide variety of conditions ranging from hypertension to acid reflux disease.
Set an appointment with us to arrange a consultation or for inquiries about our services.
