Heart attack And Its Relationship With Cholesterol Buildup

Heart attack And Its Relationship With Cholesterol Buildup

Introduction

Data released by the World Health Organization shows that around 27% of deaths in India are due to cardiovascular diseases. This means that one in four deaths is due to heart conditions. This needs to be read in the context of a recent survey which found that 39% of respondents who had high cholesterol also had heart diseases. Read on to understand more about heart attack and its relationship with cholesterol levels.

Does cholesterol cause heart attack?

Yes, high levels of cholesterol plays a significant contributing factor to risk of heart attack. Before we look at other information and statistics, here is something that you should know, something that needs to have high recall value. 

Ideal cholesterol levels

There are four different types of cholesterol values that are considered during diagnostics – total cholesterol, non-HDL, LDL and HDL. These are the reference values that indicate that your cholesterol levels are normal and not high.

  • If you are 19 years or younger, your total cholesterol should be less than 170 mg/dl. Non-HDL should be less than 120 mg/dl, LDL should be less than 100 mg/dl, and HDL should be more than 45 mg/dl.
  • If you are male above 20 years, your total cholesterol should be between 125–200 mg/dl. Non-HDL should be less than 130 mg/dl, LDL should be less than 100 mg/dl, and HDL should be more than 40 mg/dl.
  • If you are a female above 20 years, your total cholesterol should be between 125–200 mg/dl. Non-HDL should be less than 130 mg/dl, LDL should be less than 100 mg/dl, and HDL should be more than 50 mg/dl.

Now, lets return to the main focus, that is heart attack and its relationship with cholesterol. It is an acknowledged fact that high levels of LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, is linked to a higher risk of heart disease.  However, this should not cause alarm, as the severity of a heart attack depends on several factors. For example, the location and extent of blockage, the time between attack and treatment, and overall heart health.

It is also necessary to add here that heart attacks caused by high cholesterol are serious, but these attacks are not always the most severe in nature. To understand this, it is necessary to learn more about the different types of heart attacks and respective severity levels.

  1. ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) – This is the most severe type among heart attacks. This is due to a complete blockage of a coronary artery. The patient is to receive immediate treatment to ensure blood flow and to reduce any damage to the heart. Symptoms include severe pain in the chest, difficulty breathing, feelings of nausea, and excessive sweating.
  2. Non-ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI) – This is classified as next in severity and is due to a partial block of a coronary artery. This require urgent treatment, though it is not as dangerous as the previous attack. Symptoms are similar to the previous type but not intense. 
  • Silent Heart Attack – As a result of the absence of symptoms, the extent of damage depends on the time of detection and treatment. This makes the severity variable.

Heart attacks attributed to cholesterol levels

Here is additional information about heart attack and its relationship with cholesterol. High levels of LDL cholesterol can result in an abnormal build of plaque in the coronary arteries. This, in turn, can cause blockages which could end up in heart attacks. This could be either types of heart attacks – STEMI or NSTEMI.

What is the severity of heart attacks caused by high cholesterol levels?

The severity of heart attacks due to cholesterol depend on the type of blockage. For instance, if a large artery is fully blocked, this could cause STEMI, and this is highest in terms of severity. However, if the blockage is partial, this causes NSTEMI, with moderate to high severity, and lesser than STEMI.

Are there any distinct symptoms of a heart attack due to cholesterol?

No, there are no exclusive or different symptoms in heart attacks despite the relationship with cholesterol. Symptoms due to cholesterol buildup are similar to other reasons for heart attacks. This is because the underlying actions are the same, that is restricted blood flow to the heart muscle.  

Here is a look at the symptoms of a heart attack

You may experience any of these common symptoms, such as:

  • Pain in the chest or some kind of discomfort.
  • An abnormal squeezing sensation or extreme pressure and pain in the upper part of the body.
  • Difficulty breathing may be experienced with or without any chest discomfort.  
  • Pain in the upper torso could be either or both arms, upper back, the neck, jaw, or stomach.
  • Symptoms such as feelings of nausea, indigestion or heartburn, or pain in the abdomen are also common. 
  • Cold sweat.
  • Abnormal tiredness. 
  • Fainting or lightheadedness.

     

Women experience symptoms that are sometimes different. This often results in confusion as some other reason, and includes:

  • Overall tiredness. 
  • Disturbed sleep.
  • Feelings of anxiety.
  • Lightheaded feeling.
  • Back pain, jaw pain.

Detailed look at cholesterol

To understand heart attack and its relationship with cholesterol better, it is necessary to know more about cholesterol, beginning with the different types of cholesterol.

LDL, short for Low-Density Lipoprotein – This is commonly labelled as “bad” cholesterol and results in the buildup of plaques in the arteries. This causes atherosclerosis, narrowing and hardening the arteries. 

HDL, short for High-Density Lipoprotein – Labelled as “good” cholesterol, this removes LDL cholesterol from the bloods. You need to have higher levels of HDL, to reduce your risk of a heart attack.

Triglycerides – A type of fat in the blood, this can also contribute to atherosclerosis if the levels are high.

Is cholesterol inherited genetically?

Yes, cholesterol levels are known to be genetically inherited. If a member of your family has high cholesterol levels, you could also be at risk of having high cholesterol. With the above information about heart attack and its relationship with cholesterol, it is also important to learn about the genetic component.  Various genetic factors affect cholesterol levels, including the following. 

  1. Familial Hypercholesterolemia.
  2. Polygenic Hypercholesterolemia.

Will genetic testing reduce the risk?

Yes, genetic testing can reduce the risk of complications later in life. This is by identifying mutations that impact cholesterol levels. When viewed with detailed family history, it can identify your risk levels.

How to manage heart attack risks after genetic testing?

If you have genetically inherited high cholesterol levels, you can choose the following options. This will help reduce the risk of heart attack by its relationship with cholesterol.

  • Lifestyle changes like a healthy diet, regular exercise and quitting smoking.
  • Medications like statins, ezetimibe, or PCSK9 inhibitors.

     

Before winding up, let’s look at the timeline of cholesterol buildup.

  1. People who are genetically predisposed may have cholesterol buildup as early as childhood.
  2.  People who are genetically predisposed may also experience cholesterol buildup in young adulthood.

Medically Reviewed by
Dr.Rajasekar Cardiologist


Dr. Rajasekar is a cardiologist in Chennai, with extensive experience in the field. He completed his MBBS from Madurai Kamaraj University, followed by an MD in General Medicine and a DM in Cardiology from The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University (TNMGRMU).

June 24, 2024 Educational Genetic Panel ,

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