Are you stressed for the vast majority of the time? Maybe you have a job that you don’t like where there is a lot of pressure to perform. Or perhaps you worry about what others think of you? If this is you then you are probably also worried about the answer to does stress affect cholesterol and the other implications of stress on your health.
Here is all about the link between stress and cholesterol and stress and high cholesterol go hand-in-hand.
What is Cholesterol?
High cholesterol is the fat that is deposited in foods. There is a high degree of cholesterol in butter, oil and greasy foods such as fried chicken. When you eat foods that are high in cholesterol it can start to build up in your arteries.
If you ingest too much cholesterol and don’t exercise then you can end up having a heart attack and you will also see your blood pressure increase.
Like most things in life, there are pros and cons to cholesterol and it is not that cholesterol is entirely bad but that an excess of it can cause issues in your body.
Types and Levels of Cholesterol
There are two types of cholesterol. There is LDL cholesterol and HDL cholestral. Generally LDL cholesterol is worse for you than HDL cholesterol.
A good level of LDL cholesterol would be less than 100 milligrams per amount of blood in your system and you are aiming for more than 60 milligrams of LDL cholesterol, with an overall total of fewer than 200 milligrams.
Types of Stress
Our cholesterol levels can increase directly and indirectly due to stress. When we are stressed our blood pressure generally increases tightening up our arteries. There are medication options for this.
But it is the indirect, secondary causes of stress than can lead to an increase in cholesterol. Those that are stressed often eat more unhealthy – such as junk food – because they feel overwhelmed and that they have less time to lead a healthy life.
A lifestyle of convenience takes over and those suffering from high stress and anxiety can feel as if they have no control over their lives.
Someone who lives in a big city in a job where they are struggling to pay the bills might also not see the value in going to the gym as it often costs money and takes out several hours of time from their schedule.
Lifestyle Changes
It’s important that those who feel they suffer from increased stress and increase cholesterol do something about it. Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels is all about leading a healthy lifestyle.
Changing your job can be a great goal, so too can taking some time off from work on a stress-free vacation to reevaluate what you want from life. At that time go to the gym and eat healthier.
Does Stress Affect Cholesterol Levels? Yes
The simple answer to does stress affect cholesterol levels is yes. People who are stressed often do less exercise and eat unhealthy leading to a sedative lifestyle.
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