What is high cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a lipid, which is a waxy substance that comes from your liver. It benefits your body by helping to both form the membranes of cells and to produce hormones and vitamin D.
For cholesterol to flow through your blood, it needs to latch onto compounds of fat and protein called lipoproteins. Lipoproteins can be high-density lipoproteins (HDL) or low-density lipoproteins (LDL). High cholesterol indicates that there are too many low-density lipoproteins carrying cholesterol through your bloodstream.
With high cholesterol, LDL cholesterol builds up along the walls of your arteries. Soon, it hardens into plaque, which results in the narrowing of your arteries. This inhibits blood flow and puts you at risk of getting blood clots.
High cholesterol has no symptoms and must be detected during routine tests with your physician.
What are the long-term effects of high cholesterol?
High cholesterol can have detrimental effects on your health if you don’t manage it properly. Plaque buildup in your arteries is called atherosclerosis, and it’s the main result of high cholesterol. Atherosclerosis is serious and can greatly increase your risk for:
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- High blood pressure
- Chronic kidney disease
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Gallstones
Fortunately, high cholesterol is generally very treatable because of its strong link to unhealthy behaviors and lifestyle factors. The InCare team can help you identify factors contributing to high cholesterol and make healthy changes that reduce the effects of your high cholesterol.
How can I lower my cholesterol?
Our team helps you manage your high cholesterol with a personalized treatment plan. With video appointments and concierge services available, you can keep in touch with your provider and update your treatment plan if adjustments are needed. Your plan will likely include:
Dietary changes
Changing your diet is a highly effective way to manage your cholesterol. Foods like fatty red meat, egg yolks, and high-fat dairy products can all boost your cholesterol, and your provider might encourage you to cut back on them in favor of healthier foods that are high in fiber.
Behavior modifications
Behavioral modifications like smoking cessation, increased exercise, and reduced alcohol consumption can all play a role in lowering high cholesterol.
Medications
Certain prescription medications are available for lowering cholesterol. Statins, the most popular options, work by stopping cholesterol production in your liver.
If you have concerns about high cholesterol and its complications, call InCare for a consultation or book your visit online today.
