High cholesterol is not a direct cause of headaches, but it can lead to complications that may cause headaches. A study by the National Institutes of Health suggests that high cholesterol can cause headaches, especially migraine headaches.
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that assists the body’s functions. If levels become excessive, however, it can have adverse effects on several aspects of health.
When your cholesterol levels are elevated, you may experience several symptoms such as dizziness, chest pains, diarrhea and weight gain. If these occur to you, contact your doctor right away for further assessment.
What Does High Cholesterol Mean?
High cholesterol is a medical condition in which there are too many lipids (fats) in the blood.
Excess cholesterol in the arteries can lead to strokes, which can damage parts of the brain, leading to loss of memory, movement, and other functions. High cholesterol can also lead to heart disease.
Fat deposits can form in tendons and skin or even cause severe stomach pain due to an enlarged liver or spleen. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and good fats can help lower what’s sometimes called “bad cholesterol”.
High Cholesterol: What Does It Do?
Chest pains
Cholesterol is a type of fat the body uses for various processes, such as hormone production and digestion.
But plaque can also build up in your arteries and restrict blood flow to your heart, leading to chest pain. Furthermore, this condition has been linked to stroke – where a blockage in an artery could obstruct circulation of brain-nourishing oxygen-rich blood.
Chest pains can present as tightness, heaviness or pressure in the chest area. They may radiate to nearby areas such as the shoulder, arm, jaw or back.
Chestaches and pains can often be felt when exercising, as your heart requires more oxygen during physical exertion. They may also occur while lying down or doing other activities that cause you to sit up or bend over, such as lying down.
No matter if you feel chest pains or not, it’s essential to seek medical help. A physician can determine if you have angina or a heart attack and provide the appropriate treatment plan.
Diarrhea
If your intestines don’t receive enough cholesterol, you may experience diarrhea. This is a common reaction and often occurs when taking statins or other medications to lower cholesterol levels.
If you have this condition, your doctor may suggest testing to measure the amount of water in your stool and bile acid produced. This could provide insight as to what’s causing it.
Your liver produces bile acids when it filters your blood and eliminates waste products, excess cholesterol and other toxins. They then travel through your small intestine, where they aid in digestion and fatty acid absorption.
With the right treatment, you may experience a dramatic improvement in your symptoms. The most popular medication is called cholestyramine, which works by decreasing bad cholesterol in your body while decreasing production of bile acids that cause diarrhea.
Dizziness
High cholesterol does not directly cause dizziness, but it may contribute to conditions and diseases associated with lightheadedness such as coronary artery disease, stroke, or heart attack.
Some people with these conditions experience plaque buildup in the arteries supplying blood to their brain, leading to confusion, exhaustion, slurred speech and numbness.
When this occurs, it can lead to a stroke and eventual permanent paralysis of body parts or even death. The only way to know for sure if you have high cholesterol is through a blood test.
Some individuals with high cholesterol may also experience postprandial hypotension. This occurs after eating a substantial meal and may cause dizziness, unsteadiness or blackouts.
Weight gain
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance produced by your liver that naturally protects nerves, makes cell membranes and produces certain hormones. Additionally, cholesterol aids in digestion of fats by aiding the body’s digestive process.
High cholesterol levels can have detrimental effects on your heart health and increase the likelihood of experiencing a heart attack or stroke. Your doctor may suggest making lifestyle changes and/or taking medication to manage your high cholesterol level.
Eating a nutritious diet can help lower your cholesterol and other metabolic markers that indicate you may be overweight or obese. Even losing 5 to 10% of your weight can improve cholesterol levels as well as other health indicators.
Obesity can make it harder for your body to regulate lipoproteins (lipids), the molecules responsible for carrying cholesterol throughout your bloodstream.
Can High Cholesterol Cause Headaches
There is conflicting information regarding whether high cholesterol can cause headaches. According to a study by the University of Chieti-Pescara in Italy, higher total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels were associated with more severe and frequent migraines than in patients with lower cholesterol levels.
However, Dr. Laffin from the Cleveland Clinic notes that there is no definitive evidence that high cholesterol causes headaches.
Another article from HealthMatch.io states that high cholesterol is usually not linked with headaches, but health problems can overlap, and someone with high cholesterol may get headaches due to the same root cause.
A study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) published in 2015 found a positive correlation between high cholesterol levels and migraine headaches.
However, this study was conducted on a small sample size of 52 people, so the results do not necessarily mean that high cholesterol is the direct cause of migraines.
It is important to note that high cholesterol can lead to other health problems, such as heart attacks and strokes. Complications from high cholesterol, such as atherosclerosis, can sometimes cause headaches.
Additionally, major stress and a busy lifestyle can cause both high cholesterol and headaches.
What Is The Link Between High Cholesterol And Migraines?
Several studies have found associations between high cholesterol levels and migraines. A 2015 study found that people who had frequent, intense migraines had higher total cholesterol levels and higher levels of LDL (or bad) cholesterol.
Another study suggests that increased cholesterol levels may trigger migraine with aura attacks in some individuals. Italian researchers found that the frequency and intensity of migraines have been linked with high cholesterol levels.
However, it is important to note that high cholesterol is not usually linked with headaches. While there is a link between cholesterol levels and migraines, the exact mechanism behind this association is not yet fully understood.
Additionally, high cholesterol levels and migraines with aura have been found to increase the risk of stroke in women.
What Are Some Ways To Lower Cholesterol Levels
A high cholesterol level can increase stroke and heart disease risks. Fortunately, there are several ways to lower cholesterol levels naturally without medication. Here are ten ways to lower cholesterol levels:
- Avoid trans fats by reading nutrition labels.
- Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and good fats.
- Limit saturated fats in your diet.
- Choose healthier ways to prepare your food.
- Exercise regularly.
- Quit smoking.
- Lose weight if you need to.
- Limit foods with cholesterol.
- Eat plenty of soluble fiber.
- Consider taking supplements such as plant sterols and stanols, fish oil, soluble fiber, and coenzyme Q10.
Foods that can help lower cholesterol levels include oats, beans, whole grains, fatty fish, fruits, and vegetables that are high in fiber. It is important to note that making lifestyle changes to lower cholesterol levels may take time and effort, but it can be done.
By incorporating these ten ways into your daily routine, you can lower your cholesterol levels naturally and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
