What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a type of fat that has both beneficial and harmful forms. High-density lipoprotein (HDL), is a good type of cholesterol that you need for healthy cell formation.
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and VLDL (very-low-density lipoprotein) are bad cholesterols. They build up in your bloodstream and form a sticky substance called plaque that attaches itself to the walls of your arteries.
High levels of LDL or VLDL cholesterol can lead to:
- Heart disease
- Heart attack
- Stroke
The problem with high cholesterol is that, like high blood pressure, you won’t know you have it until one of these life-threatening conditions develops because high cholesterol causes no symptoms.
Having a routine blood test at Sahni Heart Center to check your cholesterol levels is essential. The cholesterol test also measures levels of triglycerides in your blood, another type of fat that can increase your risk of developing heart disease.
What causes high cholesterol?
In most cases, having high levels of LDL or VLDL cholesterol and low levels of HDL cholesterol are a consequence of preventable lifestyle choices.
If you regularly eat saturated and trans fats or foods that naturally have high cholesterol levels, you have a higher risk of developing the condition.
Being overweight or obese and not getting enough exercise are also contributory factors, and as with most health problems, smoking makes the problem worse.
In some people, their genetic makeup can influence their cholesterol levels. Your cholesterol is also likely to be higher if you have an underlying health problem like diabetes.
Cholesterol levels tend to rise with age, too, because your liver becomes less able to remove LDL cholesterol as you get older.
How is high cholesterol treated?
Making changes to your lifestyle are vital for treating high cholesterol. You should focus on losing any excess weight and keeping to a weight that’s healthy for your figure. Cut down on trans and saturated fats and salt in your diet, and eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
You might also need to take medication for high cholesterol, at least until your diet and lifestyle changes start reducing cholesterol levels naturally.
Statins are the most common medication for helping to reduce cholesterol. They work by preventing your liver from making any cholesterol and helping your body absorb the cholesterol from the plaque in your artery walls.
You might also require:
- Bile-acid-binding resins.
- Cholesterol absorption inhibitors
- PCSK9 inhibitors
- Fibrates
- Niacin
- Omega-3 fatty acid supplements
A simple blood test at Sahni Heart Center can measure your cholesterol. If it’s high, Dr. Sahni can alert you and recommend the best form of treatment to prevent the severe consequences of untreated high cholesterol.
Call Sahni Heart Center today to arrange a screening test, or book an appointment online for the Clark, New Jersey, office.
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