On an ordinary afternoon, Mr. Zhang sat on the sofa at home, holding a medical report from the hospital in his hand, his brow furrowed. A few weeks ago, he just felt a little tired and thought it was just ordinary exertion. But the results of the physical examination were like a wake-up call, and the indicators of high blood lipids made him realize that those small symptoms that he ignored were actually warning signals from the body. Similar to Mr. Zhang, many people may encounter such situations in their daily lives, but often ignore them because the symptoms are not obvious.
Blood lipids, this term appears frequently in medical examination reports, but the meaning behind it and its impact on health is much more than a simple number. Lipids refer to the lipid components in the blood, mainly including cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, and lipoproteins. These lipids play a key role in the body, such as helping to build cell membranes, producing hormones, and acting as energy**. However, when the levels of these lipids are outside the normal range, they can lead to problems such as clogged blood vessels, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease and stroke.
Cholesterol: A two-sided role
Cholesterol is necessary in the human body, it is one of the building blocks of cell membranes, and it is also the raw material for the production of vitamin D and certain hormones。However, high cholesterol levels, especially LDL, can build up in the walls of blood vessels, forming plaques that can trigger hardening of the arteries.
Triglycerides: storage of energy
Triglycerides mainly store energy in the body。Their levels are greatly influenced by diet, and excessive intake of high-sugar and high-fat foods can lead to an increase in their levels, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Phospholipids and lipoproteins: carriers vs. regulators
Phospholipids are one of the important components that make up cell membranes, while lipoproteins are the transporters of lipids in the blood. Lipoproteins can be divided into low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) according to their different densities. LDL is often seen as "bad" cholesterol because they tend to accumulate on the walls of blood vessels, while HDL is considered "good" cholesterol and helps transport cholesterol from the walls of blood vessels back to the liver, reducing the risk of disease.
Constant fatigue: There is nowhere to put the energy
Dyslipidemia is more than just a high amount of fat in the blood. It actually interferes with the body's energy utilization efficiency. Imagine that your body is a machine, and your blood lipids are the sand in the machine, and too much sand will make the machine work poorly, resulting in less efficient energy production and utilization. So, if you find yourself feeling tired even when you're well-rested, it could be one of the signs of high blood lipids.
Memory loss: an energy crisis in the brain
High blood lipids affect not only physical strength, but also mental power。Blood is the brain's main source of nutrients and oxygen, and dyslipidemia may reduce blood flow, which reduces the amount of energy and nutrients the brain receives. In the long run, this can lead to memory loss. If you've noticed that you've been having trouble remembering lately, or your ability to learn new things has decreased, you may want to pay attention to your blood lipid levels.
Blurred vision: a lipid storm in the eye
High blood lipids not only affect the brain and muscles, but also our eyes. The retina is the part of the eye that is rich in blood vessels, and high blood lipids can cause blockages in these small blood vessels, affecting the function of the retina, causing blurred vision. If your vision suddenly deteriorates and you can't find another cause, consider having your blood lipid levels checked.
Chest pain alert: a distress signal from the heart
High blood lipids are one of the important risk factors for cardiovascular disease。When the amount of fat in the blood is too high, it can cause blockages in the coronary arteries (the blood vessels that supply the heart), causing chest pain or angina. This symptom must not be ignored and it can be a precursor to a heart attack.
Cold sensation in the extremities: a warning of blood circulation
High blood lipids affect blood flow and slow blood circulation, especially in the far parts of the body, such as the hands and feet。This can lead to a feeling of coldness in the hands and feet, even in the absence of outside temperature changes. If you notice that your hands and feet are constantly cold and you can't relieve them with warm clothing, it could be a sign of high blood lipids.
**Yellow alert on : Xanthoma is present
High blood lipids may form small yellow tumors on **, especially around the eyelids. These xanthomas are actually formed by the accumulation of fat under **. They are not only cosmetic problems, but also external manifestations of dyslipidemia. When such xanthomas are found, sufficient attention should be paid to them.
Hyperlipidemia, which is often seen in physical examination reports, hides multiple threats to human health. Unlike the silent on the surface, it quietly causes a series of diseases in the body, which has a serious impact on many important organs such as the heart and brain.
Hidden dangers of the cardiovascular system
Hyperlipidemia is one of the main causes of atherosclerosis. When cholesterol and other lipids in the blood exceed normal levels, they can gradually accumulate on the walls of blood vessels, forming plaques that can narrow or even clog blood vessels. This process not only increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, but can also lead to serious consequences such as angina pectoris and myocardial infarction.
The best enemy of brain health
Dyslipidemia can also affect the health of cerebrovascular disease and increase the risk of cerebrovascular disease. The buildup of lipids in the blood vessels reduces blood flow, reducing blood flow to the brain**. In the long run, it may lead to memory loss, cognitive decline, and even cerebral infarction.
Silent erosion of kidney function
High blood lipids can also cause damage to the kidneys. The kidneys are important filters in the body, responsible for removing waste and excess substances from the blood. However, high blood lipid levels can increase the burden on the kidneys and affect their filtering function, which may lead to kidney disease over time.
Hindrance of metabolism
Dyslipidemia can also interfere with normal metabolic processes and affect glucose utilization efficiency, which in turn can cause or exacerbate glucose metabolism。This not only increases the risk of diabetes, but also leads to symptoms related to metabolic syndrome such as weight gain and high blood pressure, forming a vicious circle.
and appearance of the direct impact
One of the visual manifestations of hyperlipidemia on the body surface is the xanthoma that may appear on the body, especially around the eyelids. These are fatty deposits formed by the accumulation of blood lipids, and while not painful or itchy, they can be a warning sign that should not be ignored for those concerned about their appearance.