We all know that a diet that’s high in cholesterol can cause the levels of bad cholesterol in your bloodstream to increase — you don’t want that to happen because having high cholesterol is known as a major risk factor for what’s regarded as the number one cause of death all over the planet, and that’s none other than cardiovascular disease.
But just because you are not fond of regularly consuming foods that are loaded with cholesterol doesn’t mean right away that your blood cholesterol is already within the normal range.
Are you aware of the fact that there are so many other different causes of high cholesterol aside from loading up on cholesterol-rich foods each time? Keep on checking out this article to know some of those that can also cause your blood cholesterol levels to soar. And also, feel free to repost this later on so that your family and friends may also learn that high cholesterol can also be due to the following:
Excess Weight
Health authorities confirm that having excess pounds can cause a decrease in the levels of your good cholesterol — good cholesterol are the ones that help keep high bad cholesterol in check.
Needless to say, it’s a good idea for you to get rid of your unnecessary body weight. It’s not just high cholesterol that you can fend off by doing that, but also so many other health-related nightmares such as high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, type 2 diabetes and even certain forms of cancer.
Lack of Exercise
Studies have shown that being physically inactive can trigger an increase in bad cholesterol levels in the bloodstream. On the other hand, leading a physically active life is something that can boost your good cholesterol levels.
Make sure that you don’t spend much of your waking hours seated in front of the TV or PC. On most days of the week, exercise — it’s a good idea for every workout session to last for at least 20 minutes for best results. Choose exercises that you find enjoyable to make it easier to adhering to your regular workout plan.
Too Much Stress
It’s perfectly fine for you to encounter stress every now and then, say experts. But if it’s already around for a few days, weeks or even months straight, it is entirely a different story. Being stressed all the time can cause so many complications to strike, including elevated bad cholesterol.
Figure out which everyday stressors can be eliminated from your daily existence and do the necessary steps to dodge them. Especially at the end of a really toxic day, remember to engage in some stress-relieving activities of your choice.
Smoking and Alcoholism
Everyone knows that cigarette smoking is bad for the lungs. But did you know that it’s also something that’s bad for your heart? One of the reasons for this is that cigarette smoking can cause your cholesterol to reach sky-high.
There’s one more unhealthy habit that can also cause your levels of bad cholesterol to increase dramatically, and that’s consuming lots of alcohol. If you cannot completely turn your back on alcoholic drinks, then do your best to consume them in moderation only — a glass a day if you’re a woman, and a maximum of 2 glasses a day if you’re a man.
A Family History
Sadly, having high cholesterol is something that tends to run in families. This only means that a parent who is predisposed to suffer from elevated cholesterol levels may pass it to his or her offspring.
If you have some family members who were told by their doctors that their cholesterol levels are higher than normal, consider stepping foot inside the office of a cardiologist to know how you can considerably lower your risk of ending up with the same fate as the ones you love.
