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Having high levels of bad cholesterol in your body could lead to heart disease or stroke. However, you won’t realize you have a potential problem unless you go for a regular cholesterol screening. John Terzian, MD, FACC, and the team at Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, LLC, in West Bridgewater, Massachusetts, provide cholesterol checks for patients and help them make the necessary lifestyle changes to resolve the problem. Call Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, LLC, today to arrange a cholesterol evaluation or book an appointment online.
High Cholesterol Q & A
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a form of fat found in your bloodstream. Your body needs cholesterol to create hormones and vitamin D and for correct digestion.
Your body can make cholesterol for itself, so you don’t need to consume any extra. Still, as modern diets contain high levels of cholesterol, it’s easy to end up having more than you need.
The main problem with cholesterol is that there are different types, some of which you need (good cholesterol) and others that are harmful to health (bad cholesterol).
What are good and bad cholesterols?
Good and bad cholesterols function in different ways. High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, is a good cholesterol that transports cholesterol from other areas of your body back to your liver, which then disposes of it.
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) are bad cholesterols because, at high levels, they can cause plaque buildup in the arteries. If you eat a diet high in animal fats, dairy, fried, and processed foods, it’s likely your levels of bad cholesterol are too high.
Insufficient exercise reduces levels of good HDL cholesterol, so if you lead a sedentary lifestyle, you’re at higher risk. Being a smoker also raises your bad cholesterol.
What might happen if I don’t reduce my cholesterol levels?
If bad cholesterol starts to build up, it leads to the formation of plaque, a sticky substance that causes atherosclerosis, the narrowing of your arteries. Narrowed arteries are a chief cause of cardiovascular disease and could lead to serious health problems, such as:
- Atherosclerosis
- Coronary artery disease (CAD)
- Carotid artery disease
- Heart attack
- Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
- Stroke
The problem with high cholesterol is that having it doesn’t cause symptoms in most people, meaning it’s only detectable using a blood test.
How is high cholesterol treated?
There are medications that can help lower your cholesterol, but by far the best way to address the problem is by making lifestyle changes.
Cutting out foods that contain saturated and trans fats, getting more exercise, and losing any excess weight lowers your cholesterol naturally, and, in most cases, very effectively. Some patients might also require medications like statins to help reduce cholesterol.
To arrange a blood test to check your cholesterol levels or for help with making healthy lifestyle changes, call Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, LLC, today. You can also schedule an appointment via the online booking feature.