We all know a lot of Americans are experiencing problems with high cholesterol. Most people link it to a bad diet, but did you know stress is a big factor in why this is happening? Stress is usually considered an often-overlooked contributor. Let’s examine further the connection between stress and high cholesterol and what you can do to manage these two very important aspects of your health before they lead to a fatal illness.
What is Cholesterol and Why is it Relevant to Your Health?
Cholesterol is a fatty substance that occurs in human blood. It’s formed in the liver and comes from the foods we put in our bodies. When you think of cholesterol, you acknowledge it as a substance that serves various important functions for your body. It helps with digestion, aids in tissue and hormone formation, and protects your nerves.
There are two types of cholesterol: good cholesterol (HDL) and bad cholesterol (LDL). Having too much LDL cholesterol and not enough HDL cholesterol could clog your arteries and potentially lead to heart disease or stroke. Therefore, it’s essential to maintain normal cholesterol levels. Your total cholesterol should be below 200 mg/dL. The LDL cholesterol should be less than 100 mg/dL, and women must have HDL cholesterol levels of 50 mg/dL or higher. These are the ideal cholesterol levels you should aim for to stay healthy.
How Does Stress Affect Your Body?
Stress does indeed have an impact on your cholesterol numbers. When your stress isn’t under control, that could lead to serious health problems linked to your heart. Your body releases adrenaline and cortisol hormones when you’re stressed out. These hormones cause your heart to rev up, sharpen your brain, and help you deal with problems. A little bit of stress could even be good for you, in that it could help you overcome a challenge in your life.
However, there’s a difference between short-term stress and chronic stress. Research shows that chronic long-term stress could increase cholesterol levels. High cortisol levels coming from long-term stress could lead to some negative health consequences, such as affecting how your body metabolizes cholesterol. You’ll also start to experience other physiological changes to your body, like blood pressure spikes and inflammation.
The Link Between Stress and High Cholesterol Levels
When you’re stressed out often, your high cholesterol levels will likely go up. One of the ways this occurs is the way most people handle their stress. Being stressed usually triggers bad habits of eating unhealthy, not exercising enough, smoking, and drinking, among others. You may also start to not sleep much. All of these things being done often could lead to your LDL bad cholesterol going up past the normal levels it should be. One study consisting of 200 middle-aged men and women with high cholesterol who were tracked for 3 years showed that those with higher levels of stress had higher cholesterol than those with low stress levels. There’s even a June 2019 study that shows the link between LDL cholesterol and depression, showing the impact this could have on not just your cholesterol, but your heart health, too.
Managing Stress to Keep Your Cholesterol Numbers Normal
However, there are some steps you can take to manage your stress level to keep your cholesterol levels under control. Be sure to stay vigilant and alert to any silent indicators of high cholesterol. Make sure you’re attentive to any signs of chronic severe stress. Consider adapting some useful stress techniques such as mindfulness, deep breathing, journaling, or physical activity. Change your eating and sleeping habits. Exercising more often is also beneficial to both your stress and cholesterol levels. In some cases, people may resort to professional help such as therapy or support groups.
Consult Your Doctor about Your Stress and Cholesterol Levels
Regular screenings with your doctor are always essential. Be sure to ask the right questions concerning your cholesterol and heart health. Your doctor may also give you recommendations for possible treatments or how to combine stress management with medical monitoring. It’s important to take proactive steps to take charge of your health. Stress isn’t just a mental burden- it’s also a physical burden. Now that you know there’s a connection between stress and high cholesterol levels, schedule a check-up with your doctor today.
Does your stress level have a big impact on your cholesterol numbers? Are you managing your stress well? Share your thoughts in the comments section below. As always, be sure to like or share this post with the next person you know and care about.
