5 things that can happen if your cholesterol level is not under control!

Did you know uncontrolled cholesterol can cause vision loss? Click to know what high cholesterol can do to your body, if not treated on time.

By: Bhavyajyoti Chilukoti | | Updated: March 10, 2017 7:58 pm

What will happen if your cholesterol level is not under control? A common question that most of us might have. Well, to be clear, it is not at all healthy and can lead to numerous health problems. And hence, if you have high cholesterol level, the first and foremost thing is to control it. While diet and exercise are the first measures that are recommended by an expert, carefully following it is the key to achieving results. Also, in some cases, diet and exercise might not be sufficient to lower your cholesterol level and hence, need medications are advised to do the needful. But you want to know what will happen if cholesterol is not treated, then here is what Dr Nilesh Gautam, Senior Interventional Cardiologist, Head of Department of Preventive Cardiology and Rehabilitation at the Asian Heart Institute, Mumbai has to say.

If you do not control high cholesterol levels, it might lead to accumulation of excess cholesterol in the arterial leading to arterial blockages. It not only interferes with the normal blood flow but can also affect the functioning fo the brain, eyes, heart, kidneys and lower limbs. Also, if the clot is more than 70% blocked, the area will slowly start showing symptoms that will indicate that the area is suffering due to high cholesterol. Here are few signs that indicate you have very high cholesterol level –

1. Loss of vision: Yes, accumulation of cholesterol in the blood vessels that supply blood to the eyes can be blocked. And this can lead to slow but permanent loss of vision or blindness. Hence, it is important to keep your cholesterol in control. You may also like to read about tips from an ophthalmologist to prevent vision loss

2. Brain stroke: If excess cholesterol is accumulated in the blood vessels of the brain, it goes without saying that it can impair blood flow to the brain and hence, lead to brain stroke. Here’s more on brain stroke that you need to be aware of!

3. Kidney failure: Did you know that excess cholesterol in the body not only affects blood flow but also hampers the functioning of the kidneys? This is because, cholesterol can clog the renal arteries and cut off blood flow to the kidneys, impairing kidney function and shutting down the kidneys.

4. Heart attack: The side-effects of excess cholesterol on the heart is inevitable. This is because cholesterol accumulates in the arteries and blood vessels that supply blood to the other parts of the body from the heart. And with time, it slowly blocks the blood flow, increases the pressure exerted on the heart and can lead to heart attack. Here are some common signs of a heart attack you should know about!

5. Severe pain in the legs: Not just the organs, high cholesterol also affects the limbs. As deposition of cholesterol in the arteries of the legs can block the blood flow and hence, lead to severe pain and discomfort in the legs. So if you have severe pain in the legs and have cholesterol at a higher end, it’s time to consult a doctor and follow tips to control it.
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Published: March 6, 2017 6:09 pm | Updated:March 10, 2017 7:58 pm

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