Hypercholesterolaemia is a medical condition in which there is a high level of cholesterol in the blood. Cholesterol is a  waxy substance that is produced by the liver. It is a component of cells that are found in the body. Cholesterol can also be gotten from external sources. These include dietary cholesterol, and animal food products (such as meat, poultry, dairy, egg yolk and fish).

Hypercholesterolaemia is usually caused by several factors. They include a sedentary lifestyle, being overweight or gene alteration inherited from a parent.

Risk factors of hypercholesterolaemia are smoking, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, excessive stress, lack of physical exercise, consumption of alcohol and the consumption of foods that are rich in trans-fat, saturated fat or cholesterol.

There is no particular symptom of hypercholesterolaemia but it can be detected during a routine blood test. If it is not detected early, high cholesterol in the blood can lead to the formation of plagues which can result in stroke or heart attack.

Complications of hypercholesterolaemia are atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, chest pain, chronic kidney disease, peripheral vascular disease and bile imbalance.

Laboratory diagnosis of hypercholesterolaemia is by Lipid Profile Test (especially for Total Cholesterol). Hypercholesterolaemia can be prevented by maintaining a heart-healthy diet (like fish, fruits, vegetables, walnuts, and almonds), avoiding red meat, processed foods, sodium, and sugar-loaded foods and by regular exercise.

At MedBioTechLab, you can get your blood tested for Total Cholesterol level and Full Lipid Profile Tests.

References:

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