High cholesterol is often linked to obesity, but experts emphasize that this is only partially true. Genetic factors play a major role in blood cholesterol levels.
Cholesterol is a fatty substance produced mainly by the liver and is necessary for building cells and producing hormones. However, high levels of LDL cholesterol (known as “bad cholesterol”) increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, as it builds up on the walls of arteries and obstructs blood flow.
According to Naveed Sattar from the University of Glasgow, genetics is the main factor that influences the increase in LDL. Diet has an influence, but less than is commonly thought, and what matters most is the amount of saturated fat, present in foods such as sweets, chocolate and processed products.
This means that even people with normal weight can have high cholesterol, either due to heredity or diet.
On the other hand, obesity has a greater impact on other types of blood fats, such as triglycerides, which also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. It is also linked to problems such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, which can worsen the impact of cholesterol on the body.
Experts recommend that after the age of 40, regular cholesterol checks be performed, as the risk assessment is not based only on LDL, but also on other factors such as weight, diabetes, and blood pressure.
It is also advisable to consider family history of heart disease, as this can be an important indicator of individual risk. /GazetaExpress/
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