What are the complications of high cholesterol?

High cholesterol is linked with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. That can include coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease. High cholesterol has also been tied to diabetes and high blood pressure.

What system does hypercholesterolemia affect?

Excess cholesterol in the arteries can lead to strokes — a disruption in blood flow that can damage parts of the brain, leading to loss of memory, movement, difficulty with swallowing and speech and other functions. High blood cholesterol on its own has also been implicated in the loss of memory and mental function.

How does hypercholesterolemia develop?

This condition occurs when excess cholesterol in the bloodstream is deposited on the inner walls of blood vessels, particularly the arteries that supply blood to the heart (coronary arteries). The abnormal buildup of cholesterol forms clumps (plaques) that narrow and harden artery walls.

What diseases cause high cholesterol?

Health conditions known to increase cholesterol levels include:

• Diabetes (insufficient production of the hormone insulin)
• Obesity.
• Kidney disease.
• Cushing syndrome (an excess production of hormones)
• Hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid)
• Liver diseases including cirrhosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.
• Alcoholism.

What are two of the known defects that can result in FH?

Genetics of Familial Hypercholesterolemia Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) can be caused by inherited changes (mutations) in the LDLR, APOB, and PCSK9 genes, which affect how your body regulates and removes cholesterol from your blood. About 60-80\% of people with FH have a mutation found in one of these three genes.

How does hypercholesterolemia happen?

Familial hypercholesterolemia is caused by a gene alteration that’s passed down from one or both parents. People who have this condition are born with it. This change prevents the body from ridding itself of the type of cholesterol that can build up in the arteries and cause heart disease.

What is the most common cause of hypercholesterolemia?

Mutations in the APOB, LDLR, LDLRAP1, or PCSK9 gene cause familial hypercholesterolemia. Changes in the LDLR gene are the most common cause of this condition. The LDLR gene provides instructions for making a protein called a low-density lipoprotein receptor.

Can a bad liver cause high cholesterol?

Liver disease causes damage to the liver, which can mean that it is not able to work as well. One of the functions of the liver is to break down cholesterol. If the liver is not working properly, it can cause cholesterol to build up in the body.

Is hypercholesterolemia a heart condition?

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic disorder that affects about 1 in 250 people and increases the likelihood of having coronary heart disease at a younger age.

What does the term hypercholesterolemia indicate?

Hypercholesterolemia, also called high cholesterol, is the presence of high levels of cholesterol in the blood.

What are the causes of hypercholesterolemia?

Mutations in the APOB, LDLR, LDLRAP1, or PCSK9 gene cause familial hypercholesterolemia. Changes in the LDLR gene are the most common cause of this condition. The LDLR gene provides instructions for making a protein called a low-density lipoprotein receptor.

What are the complications with high cholesterol?

If your blood contains too much LDL cholesterol (cholesterol carried by low-density lipoprotein), it’s known as high cholesterol. When left untreated, high cholesterol can lead to many health problems, including heart attack or stroke. High cholesterol typically causes no symptoms.

What are the symptoms of hypercholesterolemia?

Fatty skin deposits over parts of hands,elbows,knees,ankles,and around the cornea of eye.