Cholesterol, Triglycerides and Their Impact on Women’s Health

August 31, 2024

Cholesterol and Triglycerides play an important role in maintaining good health. These are the fats that influence long-term health, impacting everything from cardiovascular disease risk to hormone balance. Continue to understand about Cholesterol, Triglycerides and how they affect the health of women.

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What is Cholesterol and Triglycerides?

Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in your blood that’s essential for building cell membranes and producing certain hormones. Cholesterol and Triglycerides are two types of lipids (fat) that play significant roles in our bodies, but if their levels become unbalanced, they can pose serious health risks.

Cholesterol comes in various forms such as Low Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), High Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) and Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) that carries cholesterol and triglycerides around the body. VLDL cholesterol is considered a “bad” cholesterol which contributes to plaque buildup in the vessels which elevates the risk of heart diseases.

Men and Women both are made different in physiological and hormonal factors due to which it becomes essentially important for each to be aware as to what practices impact their levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the body. Triglycerides are a type of fat found in your blood which are used by your body for energy but can pose a risk when levels are too high. Elevated triglycerides levels can contribute to the hardening and narrowing of blood vessels, which can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Cholesterol and Triglycerides in Women

Triglycerides is a type of fat found in the blood and is a critical component of your overall health, playing a role in energy storage and metabolism.

The food you eat is one source of triglycerides and your liver also makes them. When you eat extra calories, your liver increases the production of triglycerides and when the normal range of triglycerides gets exceeded, they are stored in fat cells for later use. Later, the body releases them as fatty acids, which fuel body movement while creating heat and provide energy for body function. However, elevated triglycerides levels can pose significant health risks, particularly for women.

Women experience distinct health dynamics that can influence their cholesterol and triglyceride levels. For women, managing cholesterol and triglycerides is crucial due to unique health considerations and different biological functions.

How does Cholesterol affect women differently than men?

The difference in gender can affect an individual’s cholesterol levels. Women experience distinct health dynamics that can influence their cholesterol and triglyceride normal levels:

Hormonal Changes- Hormones such as estrogen can affect cholesterol levels because females tend to have higher levels of HDL cholesterol before menopause, high HDL is protective against heart disease. However, once women reach the age of menopause, LDL cholesterol levels often rise while HDL levels fall which increase the risk of heart problems.

Pregnancy and Birth Control- Pregnancy can affect cholesterol levels, with changes in lipid profiles being common. Women on hormonal birth control may also experience variations in cholesterol levels.

Metabolic Syndrome: Metabolic syndrome is a type of health condition that makes it more likely for people to get serious diseases like heart disease and diabetes. It happens when a person has a group of related health problems all at once. Women are at increased risk due to hormonal changes that affect lipid (fat) metabolism. It can worsen hormonal imbalances especially in conditions like PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). Women with PCOS are at a higher risk of having high levels of LDL cholesterol because PCOS is associated with abnormal levels of fat in blood.

Why Triglycerides matter for Women

Women are at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease post-menopause as the levels of LDL cholesterol rises and HDL cholesterol declines. Therefore, maintaining healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels becomes increasingly important as women age.

Symptoms of High Cholesterol in Females

The symptoms of high cholesterol don’t usually announce itself, that’s why it is often referred to as a silent condition. Most people don't realize that they have high cholesterol until they experience serious issues such as heart attack or stroke, but there are some signs that indicate that a person can have a high level of cholesterol:

Chest Pain- High levels of cholesterol builds plaque in the vessels which causes chest pain and discomfort especially during physical activity.

Shortness of Breath- When the vessels are narrowed down, it will not get enough blood which will cause shortness of breath. It could occur at any time.

Tiredness- Tiredness could be a sign of heart problems related to high cholesterol.

Xanthomas: These are yellowish, fatty deposits that can appear on the skin, usually around the eyes, elbows, or knees. While they are not common, they can be a sign of very high cholesterol levels.

How to manage high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides?

Balancing normal triglyceride levels and cholesterol levels involves adopting a healthy lifestyle and medications if necessary.

Healthy Diet- Lower the consumption of food high in sugar and carbs like pastries, cookies and sugary beverages and go for food rich in fibre, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains; healthy fat such as avocados and olive oil.
Start workout- Give your body a 30 minute workout everyday, Go for running, cycling or swimming. Regular physical activity helps lower triglyceride levels and improves overall cardiovascular health.

Maintain a Healthy Weight- Losing weight can significantly reduce triglyceride levels. Focus on a balanced diet and regular exercise to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
No Alcohol- If you consume alcohol, do so in moderation. For women, this means no more than one drink per day.
Quit Smoking- Smoking can worsen triglyceride levels and overall cardiovascular health. Quitting smoking is a key step in improving your lipid profile.

Conclusion

High cholesterol in females can lead to serious health conditions such as cardiovascular diseases. An individual should be aware of their cholesterol numbers and to lower the cholesterol levels, they should follow certain instructions and lower their bad cholesterol and total cholesterol. In females, estrogen plays a protective role in managing cholesterol. Estrogen levels decrease after menopause which increases the risk of high cholesterol in women. To prevent the levels from rising up, physical activity and a healthy diet can help.