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Can High Cholesterol Make You Tired?

Can High Cholesterol Make You Tired

You may feel tired if you have high cholesterol. However, high cholesterol is not directly linked to fatigue. In most cases, high cholesterol is symptom-free but leads to emergency events because of the damage caused by complications. If you get checked for high cholesterol by reaching out to GP Glenroy at Magnus Medical. 

Table of Content

  • What is high cholesterol?
  • Signs of high cholesterol on face
  • Can high cholesterol make you tired
  • How to treat high cholesterol?
  • Can stress cause high cholesterol
  • Is high cholesterol genetic
  • Is peanut butter high in cholesterol
  • Is feta cheese high in cholesterol
  • Is bone marrow high in cholesterol

What is high cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance found in the blood made by your liver and comes from the type of food you eat. The body makes use of cholesterol to generate cell membranes, vitamin D, and hormones such as estrogen and testosterone. Cholesterol doesn’t mix with water, and it is packaged by particles known as lipoproteins, allowing it to travel around the body through the blood. Two types of cholesterol include:

  • Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
  • High-density lipoprotein (HDL)

LDL is often called bad cholesterol. High LDL can build up in the blood vessels, which carry oxygen and blood throughout the body. This build-up of cholesterol can lead to the creation of a hard fatty substance known as plaque, which can cause blockage of the arteries.

Eating fatty foods can increase the LDL cholesterol level in the blood. High LDL cholesterol levels are called high cholesterol, hypercholesterolemia, or hyperlipidemia. HDL is sometimes called good cholesterol and helps return LDL to the liver to be processed and eliminated from the body. 

Signs of high cholesterol on face

Sometimes, high cholesterol is not diagnosed with a blood test - it can leave some signs. These are signs of high cholesterol on your face that you might see yourself or your doctor might notice. Here are some signs of high cholesterol on face:

Xanthelasma

  • These are soft or slightly raised yellowish bumps on or close to the eyelids. 
  • They are made up of cholesterol deposits under the skin.

Corneal arcus

  • You may notice a white/grey ring around the outer edge of the cornea.
  • It usually doesn’t affect your vision, but it is a warning sign to check your lipid profile. 

Other skin changes

  • Eruptive xanthomas: Small yellow/red bumps on the face are formed when triglyceride levels are very high. 
  • You might notice other skin changes, patches or discolouration accompany high cholesterol. 

Can high cholesterol make you tired?

Persistent fatigue can develop due to many reasons, but specific signs may include high cholesterol. Recognising these symptoms will enable you to act appropriately and seek medical assistance.

  • Low energy levels: This may be a symptom of poor circulation due to high cholesterol levels.
  • Difficulty breathing: You may experience trouble breathing while performing everyday tasks.
  • Weakness of the muscles: Poor blood circulation may lead to muscular weakness.
  • Headaches or dizzy spells: This is another indication of a lack of oxygen supply. 

How to treat high cholesterol?

Here are some tips to manage high cholesterol:

  • Eliminate trans fat and saturated fat
  • Eat omega-3-rich food
  • Eat more soluble fibre
  • Regular exercise can increase HDL cholesterol, the good cholesterol. 
  • Quit smoking 

Can stress cause high cholesterol

Yes, stress can be a reason for high cholesterol. While it can’t be considered the main contributing factor, chronic stress can dramatically affect your cholesterol profile by changing your body’s hormone production and contributing to unhealthy conditions.

Is high cholesterol genetic?

Yes. High cholesterol can be genetic. Although there are certain lifestyle factors such as exercise and diet that may have an effect, your DNA actually determines how well your body rids itself of cholesterol in the bloodstream.

Is peanut butter high in cholesterol?

Since nut butters, such as peanut butter, come from plants, they tend to be relatively safe for cholesterol. 

Is feta cheese high in cholesterol?

Feta cheese is not high in cholesterol. A 1-ounce (28g) serving of full-fat feta has only about 25 mg of cholesterol, which is a small fraction of the 300 mg daily limit suggested by health organisations. 

Is bone marrow high in cholesterol?

Yes, bone marrow is high in both saturated fat and dietary cholesterol. A 100g serving of beef bone marrow has around 300mg of cholesterol and is around 97% fat by weight. Due to its high fat and cholesterol content, it’s suggested to keep moderate consumption, especially if you are dealing with cardiovascular health. 

Conclusion 

Unusual tiredness or persistent fatigue may be associated with high cholesterol. It’s essential to identify the cause, prevent complications, and improve overall health. If you notice signs of high cholesterol, you can get in touch with doctors or dietitian Glenroy at Magnus Medical.