High Cholesterol

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a type of fat (lipid) with beneficial and harmful forms. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is a good cholesterol that you need for healthy cell formation. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) are bad cholesterols.

LDL and VLDL build up in your bloodstream and form a sticky substance called plaque that attaches itself to the walls of your arteries. This can lead to:

• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)

The problem with high cholesterol is that you won’t know you have it until one of these life-threatening conditions develops because it causes no symptoms. Having routine blood tests at Cardiovascular Wellness Center to check your cholesterol levels is essential.

What causes high cholesterol?

In most cases, high LDL or VLDL cholesterol and low HDL cholesterol are a consequence of preventable lifestyle choices. 

Regularly eating saturated and trans fats or foods that naturally have high cholesterol raises your risk of developing the condition. Being overweight or obese and not getting enough exercise are also contributing factors. As with most health problems, smoking makes things worse.

In some people, 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 also tend to rise with age because your liver becomes less able to remove LDL cholesterol.

How is high cholesterol treated?

Making changes to your lifestyle is vital for treating high cholesterol. You should focus on losing weight, reducing trans and saturated fats and salt, and eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

You might also need medication until your diet and lifestyle changes start reducing cholesterol levels naturally. Statins are the most common cholesterol medication. They prevent your liver from making cholesterol and help your body absorb cholesterol from the plaque in your artery walls.

Other cholesterol medicines include:

• Bile-acid-binding resins
• Cholesterol absorption inhibitors
• PCSK9 inhibitors
• Fibrates
• Niacin
• Omega-3 fatty acid supplements

Cardiovascular Wellness Center performs a simple blood test to measure your cholesterol. The practice uses the NMR LipoProfile test, which produces accurate, detailed results showing cholesterol levels and other potentially harmful lipids like triglycerides. If your cholesterol is high, your provider can alert you and recommend the best treatment.

Call Cardiovascular Wellness Center to arrange a cholesterol screening test or book an appointment online today.