High Cholesterol

What is high cholesterol?

Cholesterol is found in the fats in your blood. Your body needs cholesterol to build healthy cells. If you have high cholesterol, this increases your risk of developing heart disease and a number of other conditions.

Some types of cholesterol are considered good, but others, especially in high numbers, can indicate problems with your heart health and circulatory system.

LDL

Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are referred to as “bad” cholesterol since they can build up in your artery walls and cause them to narrow and harden. You don’t want to have high numbers of LDL cholesterol floating around in your blood.

HDL

High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are considered “good” cholesterol. HDL cholesterol gathers excess cholesterol and takes it back to your liver. A good indicator of a healthy heart is when you have higher levels of HDL cholesterol and lower levels of LDL cholesterol.

High triglycerides

Triglycerides are another type of fat present in your blood. If you have high triglycerides, this is also another marker that heightens your risk for heart disease and can signal problems with your heart.

What are the complications of high cholesterol?

High cholesterol can cause complications and an accumulation of fatty deposits in your blood vessels. Over time, this can seriously reduce the volume of blood flowing through your arteries. If your heart doesn’t get access to enough oxygen-rich blood, your risk of a heart attack is greatly increased.

If you have decreased blood flow to your brain, this can cause a stroke.

What are the risk factors for high cholesterol?

Some of the risk factors for high cholesterol are:

• Obesity
• Inactivity
• Genetics
• Diabetes
• Poor diet
• Excess alcohol intake

High cholesterol is usually caused by unhealthy lifestyle choices and environmental factors over time.

What are the treatments for high cholesterol?

Since high cholesterol doesn’t usually come along with symptoms, you should visit Brandon Riverview Medical Associates for a checkup and testing.

If you’re diagnosed with high cholesterol, you’ll need more regular cholesterol screenings going forward to allow your provider to monitor how well your treatment is working and the health of your heart and circulatory system.

To treat your high cholesterol, your provider might recommend:

• Regular exercise
• Stress management
• Smoking cessation
• Decreasing alcohol intake
• Medications
• Avoiding unhealthy fats and trans fats (mainly found in processed foods)
• Consuming nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables rich in dietary fiber
• Choosing healthier fats in your diet, such as fats from avocados, fatty fish, and olive oil

Protect your heart health and book online or call Brandon Riverview Medical Associates.