Low Levels of Good Cholesterol in the Body, What's the Danger?

Healthy - High cholesterol levels are always associated with various health problems. Starting from stroke, blood clots, to heart disease. However, a lack of cholesterol in the body can also cause many problems, namely a lack of good cholesterol.

Good cholesterol in the medical world is called high-density lipoprotein (HDL). This type of cholesterol functions to maintain blood vessels, to prevent atherosclerosis (narrowing of blood vessels).

So, the question is, what happens if the levels of good cholesterol in the body are low?

1. Plaque Deposits in the Arteries

It can be said that this condition triggers atherosclerosis. Well, when HDL cholesterol levels in the body are low, the process of removing bad cholesterol (LDL) in the body will be hampered. The reason is, HDL has a role to "recycle" LDL cholesterol in the body.

This uncontrolled amount of LDL can cause plaque formation in the arteries and inhibit the oxygenation process in the blood. You must be aware, this condition can inhibit blood flow to all organs of the body. including the heart and brain.

Read More: 12 Dangers of Soda Drinks for Health

2. Narrowing of Blood Vessels

This condition is not only caused by excess fat deposits in the body. However, low levels of good cholesterol or HDL in the body can also trigger narrowing or calcification of blood vessels, better known as atherosclerosis. According to experts from the American Heart Association, this condition is a factor in causing heart attacks, symptoms of heart failure, and kidney failure.

3. Ruptured Blood Vessels

After blood vessels become inflamed and HDL levels are still low, this condition will then interfere with the smooth circulation of red and white blood cells to the vital organs that need them. In addition, both blood cells can get trapped in areas that are inflamed. Well, if left untreated, it is likely to cause blood vessels to rupture. This condition can cause internal bleeding.

4. Blood Clots

Low levels of HDL over a long period of time can also increase the risk of blood clots. For example, blood clots that occur in the carotid and coronary arteries. Well, blood clots in both areas can increase the risk of heart attacks, you know.

Read More: Side Effects of Excessive Consumption of Soda Drinks

Caused by Many Things

According to Health Harvard, there are various reasons that cause low HDL levels in a person's body. According to research by experts there, genes certainly play a role in determining how much HDL a person's body produces. In addition, lifestyle choices can also affect HDL levels.

For example, smoking habits, being overweight, a diet high in processed carbohydrates (white bread, sugar, etc.), and lack of physical activity tend to lower HDL cholesterol levels in the body. Likewise, drugs, such as beta blockers, anabolic steroids, progestins, and benzodiazepines can also suppress HDL levels.

However, in another place there is also research from United States scientists, regarding pollution and low HDL levels. For example, experts from the Seattle University of Washington School of Public Health, who tested HDL levels in 6,654 men and women aged 40 years and older.

The results of their research showed that people who were exposed to high levels of diesel exhaust known as black carbon for more than a year had significantly low HDL levels. According to an expert explanation in a study published in the American Heart Association Journal Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, decreased HDL levels due to exposure to high vehicle pollution can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.