One out of 10 adults in the United States has high cholesterol. That means their total cholesterol is 240 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or higher. Ideally, your cholesterol should be 200 mg/dL or less.
People with high cholesterol are at greater risk of heart disease. The problem is many people have high cholesterol and don’t know it.
At MS Family Medicine Health Care PC in Mineola and Rosedale, New York, Dr. Michele Reed and our team of compassionate health providers take a proactive approach to patient care, focusing on wellness and preventive care.
In this month’s blog, we talk about how high cholesterol puts you at risk for heart disease and what you can do about it.
Cholesterol is a waxy fat made by your liver. It’s found in your cells and blood. Your body uses cholesterol to make cell walls, vitamin D, and some hormones.
Lipoproteins transport cholesterol in your blood and determine cholesterol type, including:
HDL is good because it takes the cholesterol out of your bloodstream and back to your liver where it’s recycled and used to make bile. LDL is the main transporter of cholesterol throughout your body. However, too much LDL cholesterol in your blood increases your risk of heart disease.
The excess LDL cholesterol in your blood combines with minerals and other substances, creating plaque that sticks to the walls of your blood vessels. Over time, the plaque builds up, narrowing or blocking the passageway and affecting blood flow, a condition called atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis may affect any artery in your body. However, it’s a serious concern when you have a buildup of plaque in the arteries of your heart. Limiting blood flow to your heart affects health and function. The plaque may also break free from the blood vessel and create a blood clot that blocks blood flow, causing a heart attack.
One of the major concerns we have about high cholesterol is that you can have it and not know it until you have heart problems like angina (chest pain during exercise due to poor blood flow) or a heart attack.
We routinely check blood cholesterol during physicals and annual checkups. The best way to stay on top of your cholesterol and heart health is to get a physical every year.
We focus on lifestyle changes to improve cholesterol and heart health, including nutrition, exercise, stress management, and good sleep habits. We also encourage smoking cessation.
If your cholesterol remains high after lifestyle changes, we may recommend prescription cholesterol medications to lower your numbers. Medications are effective but work best when combined with lifestyle changes.
Do you have concerns about high cholesterol? Are you looking for a medical team that can help you take charge of your heart health? Call us today or request an appointment online anytime. Our team partners with you on your wellness journey.
