High Cholesterol
The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that approximately 102 million Americans age 20 and older are living with high cholesterol. Left unmanaged, high cholesterol significantly increases your risk of cardiovascular disease. The team at Coastal Medical Group in Webster and Houston, Texas, specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of high cholesterol. To make your appointment, call the office nearest you or click the online booking tool today.
High Cholesterol Q & A
Cholesterol is an organic molecule found in your blood. Your body needs some cholesterol to create healthy cells, but too much cholesterol can increase your risk of serious health problems, including heart disease.
If you have high cholesterol, you may develop fatty deposits in your blood. Over time, these deposits grow, making it difficult for blood to flow comfortably through your arteries.
If one or more of these cholesterol deposits break up, it may form a clot and cause a heart attack or stroke.
High cholesterol runs in families, but it also develops as a result of unhealthy lifestyle choices. For example, you’re more likely to develop high cholesterol if you eat a diet that consists of processed foods or fail to exercise regularly.
Are there different types of cholesterol?
Yes. There are two main types of cholesterol:
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, is a type of cholesterol that transports particles of cholesterol throughout your body. Over time, LDL cholesterol builds-up on the walls of your arteries, making them narrow and hard.
High-density lipoprotein
HDL, or “good” cholesterol, works to clean up excess cholesterol in your blood. HDL cholesterol picks up cholesterol in your blood and transports it back to your liver, where it processes out of your body.
There’s no way to prevent high cholesterol entirely, but there are steps you can take to lower your risk significantly. The team at Coastal Medical Group recommends living a heart-healthy lifestyle which includes:
- Eating a healthy, low-salt diet
- Exercising regularly
- Drinking alcohol in moderation
- Managing stress
You should also avoid smoking and work to maintain a healthy weight.
To diagnose cholesterol, your Coastal Medical Group provider orders a blood test known as a lipid panel. A lipid panel measures your total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.
Treatment for high cholesterol depends on the severity of your condition. Whenever possible, the team recommends conservative measures of care, such as dietary changes, regular exercise, and stress management. If your levels remain high, medication therapy and regular monitoring may be necessary.
To learn more about treatment for high cholesterol, make an appointment at Coastal Medical Group today. Call the office nearest you or click the online booking tool to begin.