One of those conditions affects many males, erectile dysfunction. It has been shown that males, who have high level of the blood cholesterol LDL, can be at higher risk for erectile dysfunction.
The inability for male to either achieve or maintain an erection during sexual activity is commonly called erectile dysfunction (ED). ED can be a cause of either psychological problem of physical problems. For physical problem, the most common factor that results in ED is high cholesterol and other vascular problems.
When LDL cholesterol attached itself to the arteries and formed a layer of sticky plaque, the condition is Atherosclerosis. This layer of plaque narrowed the arteries and obstructs the blood flow. If this happens in arteries that supply blood flow to the penis, it will most probably result in erectile dysfunction.
Another dangerous condition is Nephrotic. This is also connected to high LDL cholesterol level in the body. This is dangerous because the blood vessel that leads to the bladder is damage by cholesterol plaque. This will cause protein leakage into the urine. This potentially will result in kidney disease, kidney transplant of dialysis.
No body really knows how nephrotic syndrome happens, but the combination of a few factors has shown to have an impact on it occurrence. These include, decreasing of blood pressure, decreasing of protein intake, lowering of cholesterol by diet and medication.
Interestingly, individual who display the nephrotic syndrome are usually high with LDL cholesterol as well.
Peripheral Artery Disease:
A common form of peripheral vascular disease is Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). Those who had a heart attack, stroke or some form of coronary artery disease will be at an increase chance contracting peripheral artery disease.
High cholesterol levels are found to be one risk factor for PAD as well as other risk factors such as having diabetes, being obese, being a smoker, or not participating in daily active exercise.
PAD symptoms include pain and wound in the foot and leg that do not heal quickly as they should have, or even becoming gangrene. Other may feel cold with their arms, leg, palm and feet, the extremities. Pain in the hips, calves and thighs that stays on even after the activities or exercises. Not everyone suffers from the same symptoms and men usually suffers more symptoms then womens.
Leading a healthier lifestyle through diets and regular exercise will help lower the LDL blood cholesterol thereby creating a positive impact on PAD
We do not like to link our children with heart disease or having high cholesterol but that is the sad truth today. Many children are now being seen that are at high risk for premature coronary heart disease and some of these children have high cholesterol levels much earlier in life than previously experienced. As a general rule, healthcare providers did not routinely check children's cholesterol levels.
The American Heart Association states that there is sound research backing the idea that cholesterol buildup in the arteries begins in childhood. Buildup of cholesterol in the arteries leading to the heart can result in an early heart attack and cholesterol buildup in the arteries leading to the brain can result in stroke.
The perfect time to introduce and intervene with healthy life style changes are childhood. These will provide healthier habits for the rest of their life.
Apparently, children who are in the high risk group are those who have family history of high cholesterol or heart disease and who are overweight.
The scientific position of American Heart Association is "elevated cholesterol levels early in life may play a role in the development of adult atherosclerosis and that lowering levels in children and adolescents may be beneficial"
The dietary cholesterol that kids absorb are from food such as red meat, egg yolks, seafood, and full fat dairy products that include milk, cheese and ice cream.
There are contributing factors when it comes to kids and cholesterol risk:
If their diet contain lots of fats, especially so for saturated fats. Example are baked products and snacks.
- If they have a family history of low good cholesterol or high bad cholesterol.
- If they are overweight by medical standard and are have a sedentary life style.
Kids / Teens who have high blood pressure, insulin dependent diabetes or if they smokes.
There is nothing to worry if your children do not fall into any of the above mentioned points.
Kids who are 2 years and above who are exposed to known risk factors should be screened for blood cholesterol levels. The following are the risks:
Has at least one parent with a total cholesterol blood level of 240 mg/dL or higher
Has a parent or grandparent with a history of early heart disease (before age 55)
- If there is any family history that is "unknown"
- The child is overweight or is clinically obese
A simple blood test will tell your child's cholesterol level. At age 2-9, the acceptable level are less 170mg/dL. 170-199 mg/dL are considered borderline and high level are those that are above 200 mg/dL.
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