High Cholesterol Specialist

What is high cholesterol?

Cholesterol is found in the fats in your blood. While your body needs cholesterol to build healthy cells, having high cholesterol can heighten your risk of getting heart disease and a range of other health complications and diseases.

There are two main types of cholesterol, and one is considered good and the other is considered bad.

Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are referred to as the bad cholesterol since they can build up in your artery walls and cause them to narrow and harden. Because of this, you don’t want excess LDL cholesterol in your blood.

High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are considered the good cholesterol because they gather excess cholesterol and return it to your liver. Having higher levels of HDL cholesterol and lower levels of LDL cholesterol is usually a good indicator that your heart is healthy.

What are the complications of high cholesterol?

High cholesterol can lead to a buildup of fatty deposits in your blood vessels, which can eventually stop enough blood from flowing through your arteries. When your heart doesn’t receive enough oxygen-rich blood, your risk of a heart attack increases significantly.

Furthermore, a decreased flow of blood to your brain can lead to a stroke.

What are the risk factors for high cholesterol?

There are a number of risk factors for high cholesterol, including:

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

High cholesterol is usually caused by unhealthy lifestyle choices over time. Fortunately, this means that in many cases it’s preventable and treatable.

What are the treatments for high cholesterol?

High cholesterol doesn’t usually show symptoms. So if you’re concerned about your cholesterol levels, Westmed Family Healthcare’s physicians can conduct blood tests in their convenient on-site lab.

If you’re diagnosed with high cholesterol, you’ll need more frequent cholesterol screenings in the future to allow your physician to monitor your heart health and treatment.

Following a diagnosis, your doctor will help you decide the right treatment for you. High cholesterol treatments include:

• Regular exercise
• Stress reduction
• Quitting smoking
• Reducing alcohol consumption
• Medications
• Avoiding trans fats from processed foods
• Consuming nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables rich in dietary fiber
• Choosing healthier fats for your diet such as fats from avocados, olive oil, and fatty fish

The right treatments can help you manage your high cholesterol and lower your risks for disease. Call or click to schedule an appointment with Westmed Family Healthcare today.