High cholesterol: symptoms and diet

Cholesterol is an essential fat for the body; it increases cardiovascular risk when its level exceeds normal values.

Symptoms
Among the symptoms that can indicate high cholesterol is chest pain, which can be indirectly linked to excessively high cholesterol levels. Indeed, in cases of high cholesterol, the fat deposits in the arteries can obstruct blood flow and cause symptoms such as chest pain. This often signals angina, which can eventually lead to a myocardial infarction (heart attack). Other symptoms to watch for include significant fatigue, shortness of breath, a feeling of tightness in the chest, and intense anxiety. High cholesterol can also increase the risk of stroke if the walls of the cerebral arteries are affected by fatty deposits.

Food
A diet lower in fat and sugar is the first-line treatment. Consuming fresh fruits and vegetables should form the basis of a cholesterol-lowering diet. Certain fruits, such as apples and avocados, have additional therapeutic properties that may contribute to lowering cholesterol levels.

Regarding animal products, full-fat dairy products (cream, butter) and fatty red meats should be limited, and fish is preferable. Oily fish (sardines, mackerel, salmon, etc.) in particular contain unsaturated fatty acids that protect against cardiovascular disease. Finally, consuming vegetable oils such as olive oil, rapeseed oil, or corn oil, which contain higher-quality fatty acids, is recommended as part of a cholesterol-lowering diet.