My cholesterol my kidneys and me
When you’re young and active, high cholesterol is the last thing on your mind. Even if you heard about bad LDL cholesterol, it was probably on TV, targeting an older audience.
I remember seeing ads promoting food products that claimed to lower cholesterol levels. I didn’t pay much attention because I believed I was young, fit, and healthy.
But at 36, I woke up one Sunday morning feeling strange. My vision was blurred, and my speech was slightly slurred. Panic set in. Was I having a stroke?
I called 111 and was advised to get to my local A&E immediately. There, I had an ECG and blood tests, revealing my blood pressure was extremely high at 190/120. They also tested my eyes to rule out a vision problem, but the doctor was very concerned.
I was given an emergency CT scan to check for any brain issues, and that’s when it hit me – I might have had a stroke! At 36, I thought things like this didn’t happen to people my age.
The blood tests revealed my cholesterol was extremely high, nearly 10 mmol/L (the healthy level for an adult is under 5 mmol/L) Further tests showed it was genetic. My dad and grandfather were born with high cholesterol, a condition known as Familial Hypercholesterolemia. I also learned that this condition, along with high blood pressure, which was common in my family, could severely damage my kidneys.
After the initial diagnosis, I was informed that I was close to kidney failure. I had been diagnosed with a condition called Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), where the body’s immune system attacks the small filters in the kidneys.
After seven years of managing my cholesterol and blood pressure, my kidneys have shown some improvement, but they remain damaged, and I am now in stage 3 of kidney disease. I understand that I will likely need dialysis and a transplant one day. My body’s warning sign ultimately saved me.
The lesson I’ve learned is that high cholesterol can be extremely dangerous. But, the big but .. often, there are no symptoms.
So it’s wise to get annual check-ups to test both blood pressure and cholesterol, even if you feel healthy. If I had been better informed, I might have prevented or slowed down my illness. I’m still here by chance, so please take my advice and take care of yourself.
https://www.heartuk.org.uk/
The UK’s largest cholesterol charity.
Last Reviewed on 2 August 2024