Hidden Dangers of High Cholesterol: The Silent Killer

The Black Plague. The White Plague (Tuberculosis). Aids. Influenza. Malaria. Smallpox.

Heart Disease?

Yes. Despite the highly advanced state of our technology, despite the information age, despite billions of dollars in health care and research.. one of the most preventable health concerns of all major inflictions has become a catastrophic epidemic, and the leading cause of death worldwide. (*source – World Health Organization).

How can this be? Unlike the plagues of the past, there is no single, clear-cut answer. No single virus or bacterium is to blame. It is not airborne, or contagious in any way. And it usually doesn’t reveal itself until it is too late to reverse the damage.

In the early stages, signs and symptoms may be those you are experiencing right now:

A lack of pain.
Usual levels of energy.
No nausea, or feelings of sickness.
Calm and unsuspecting

You see, the warning signs of heart disease often go undetected. They do not necessarily present themselves in every day life, so there is no perceived need to see a doctor. And some of the greatest contributing factors to heart disease are things or activities we consider good, or fun.

Hidden Warning Signs.

If your body presents so little indication of a possible cardiovascular problem, then how do you identify it before there are complications? The fact is there are warning signs, and you must know how to find them.

Taking a proactive stance is critical to preventing, diagnosing, and treating heart disease. Medical doctors can perform testing to analyze your total cholesterol levels, HDL & LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, Systolic and Diastolic blood pressure, and even genetic risk factors. Home kits also exist which can provide basic information about cholesterol, and triglycerides with digital units.

Regular testing is the only way to identify and prevent heart problems before they occur. High cholesterol, high blood pressure, and other symptoms do not reveal themselves until after the damage is done. And increasing age, typical diets, and increasingly sedentary lifestyles put almost everyone at risk for this problem.. even excluding many other risk factors. Ignore this at your own peril.

You may be experiencing these (or similar) symptoms:

Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, shoulders, or extremities
Sudden dizziness, vertigo, blurred vision, lack of balance and coordination
Uncomfortable pressure, nausea, or pain in the chest lasting more than a few moments
Shortness of breath, lightheadedness, fainting, sweating
Persistent coughing and or wheezing
Increased and/or irregular Heart rhythm
Intuitive feeling of extreme danger

These are the signs of a serious impending risk to the health of your heart and body. They are often the result of a long term undetected problem. When these symptoms present themselves, it is critical that you seek immediate medical intervention.

Thankfully, the leading cause of death in the world today is also the most preventable. How you choose to live is also how healthy you choose to be. Science has proven beyond doubt the direct relationship between lifestyle and health, with diet, physical activity, habits, and happiness (low stress) being the keys.

October 9, 2008 Posted in: high cholesterol