What is high cholesterol?

Everyone has a certain degree of cholesterol. It is a naturally occurring fatty substance found in the blood. Your level of cholesterol is affected by the types of foods you eat. If you consume too much fatty food, cholesterol can build up in your blood vessels and arteries. This can cause serious health issues such as coronary heart disease and heart attack.

Essentially, there are two types of cholesterol in your body:

• Low-density lipoprotein: “bad cholesterol” which builds up in your arteries and increases your risk of coronary heart disease.
• High-density lipoprotein: “good cholesterol” protects you from heart disease.

In order to prevent heart health issues, it’s essential to keep the “bad cholesterol” down and the “good cholesterol” up. There are no signs or symptoms of high cholesterol. However, if you are overweight or obese, your GP may suggest a cholesterol test (blood test) to determine if your cholesterol levels are too high and if you are at risk of heart issues.

To learn more about high cholesterol, please visit the Healthy WA website.

 

What causes high cholesterol?

High cholesterol is quite common in Australia, with 1 in 3 people aged 30 to 65 experiencing high cholesterol. Your lifestyle affects your levels of cholesterol. Many factors can increase your risk of high cholesterol, including:

• Being overweight
• Having diabetes
• Having high blood pressure
• Smoking
• Having little physical activity and an unhealthy diet

Your diet has a significant impact on your levels of cholesterol. Foods with a high level of saturated fats can increase your cholesterol levels. Simple changes within your diet can reduce your levels, switching from butter to margarine, eating lean meats, poultry and fish, and eating a mainly plant-based diet. Reducing alcohol intake and quitting smoking can also significantly reduce your risk of having high cholesterol.

 

How Weight Loss Surgery Reduces Your Risk of Having High Cholesterol

The significant weight loss that results from bariatric surgery dramatically reduces your risk of high cholesterol and the associated health issues.

Not only does weight loss surgery result in the patient eating less, but the surgery also transforms your approach to your diet and motivates patients to maintain healthy eating habits. Your overall lifestyle will be transformed by the surgery and the post-surgery support you receive from the Perth Weight Loss team, including your exercise, smoking and alcohol consumption habits. Therefore, many risk factors that lead to high cholesterol are reduced.

 

Contact Perth Weight Loss and Surgery for More Information

If you are overweight or obese, it may be helpful to visit your GP and check your cholesterol levels. If the levels are at a high-risk level, it may be beneficial to consult Perth Weight Loss and Surgery regarding your weight loss surgery options.

Please do not hesitate to contact our team for further information regarding high cholesterol and weight loss surgery.