High cholesterol is the name given to having too much of a fatty substance in your blood. This substance, known as cholesterol, can lead to blockages in your blood vessels.
Blocked blood vessels raises the risk of heart attacks and strokes, as it limits the blood supply to the heart and the rest of the body.
It’s not always easy to know whether you have high cholesterol, as there aren’t any obvious symptoms.
But, there are some hidden warning signs that you should consider getting your cholesterol levels checked.
You could, however, be at risk of high cholesterol if you often have erectile dysfunction.
Erectile problems – which are also categorised as impotence – are a very common concern, and are usually nothing to worry about.
But, on occasions, they could be a sign of high cholesterol, warned medical website WebMD.
Erectile dysfunction could be caused by a blockage in the body’s blood supply.
This blockage may be caused by a build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries.
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“A high level of cholesterol in the blood doesn’t have obvious symptoms, but it can increase your risk for conditions that do have symptoms,” it said.
“Also, in men, impotence may be caused by arteries affected by excessive blood cholesterol.
“Call your doctor about heart disease if you develop symptoms of heart disease, stroke, or atherosclerosis in other blood vessels, such as left-sided chest pain, pressure, or fullness; dizziness; unsteady gait; slurred speech; or pain in the lower legs.
“Any of these conditions may be associated with high cholesterol, and each requires immediate medical intervention.”
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Impotence may also be caused by stress, tiredness, drinking too much alcohol, and anxiety.
But, if it happens more often, it could be caused by an underlying problem.
You could lower your risk of erectile dysfunction by losing weight, if you’re overweight, and by cutting back on the amount of alcohol in your diet.
Speak to a doctor if your erection problems keep happening without any obvious cause.
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Meanwhile, high cholesterol may be caused by eating lots of fatty foods, or by not doing enough exercise.
Obesity, smoking, and drinking lots of alcohol, all contribute to your cholesterol levels.
Medication can help to keep your cholesterol levels in check, but it’s also important to stick to a healthy diet, and to do regular exercise.
Everyone should aim to eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day, as well as 150 minutes of exercise every week.
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