High Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a substance similar to fat that is produced by the body or taken in from foods we eat. There are two kinds of cholesterol – “good” cholesterol (HDL or high-density lipoprotein) and “bad” cholesterol (LDL or low-density lipoprotein).

Excessive amounts of bad cholesterol can build up in the arteries, causing them to harden. This will restrict blood flow through the arteries to the heart and may ultimately block the arteries altogether, which can lead to heart disease or a heart attack.

There are no warning signs of high cholesterol – you may not know you have it until a doctor runs a cholesterol check. However, once you are diagnosed as having high cholesterol, it’s important to begin to lower your numbers immediately to decrease your risk of serious health problems.

Although every person is different and there is no substitute for a doctor’s evaluation, the guidelines on cholesterol numbers are as follows:

  • Less than 200 mg/dL – Good
  • 200 to 239 mg/dL – Borderline High
  • 240 mg/dL and up - High

5 Things You Need to Know

  1. Although some cholesterol is consumed, most is actually made by the body – therefore, it takes a combination of diet, exercise, and potentially medication to control cholesterol levels.
  2. Doctors recommend a person get their cholesterol tested every 5 years after the age of 20.
  3. Roughly 105 million Americans have borderline-high or high cholesterol.
  4. Women are often susceptible to high cholesterol after menopause.
  5. Sticking to a low-fat diet is not the best way to lower cholesterol levels – it’s important to distinguish between good fat and bad fat, as consuming good fats can help protect against heart disease.

3 Questions You Need to Ask Your Doctor

  1. Do I have high cholesterol? A cholesterol test, which often involves a lipoprotein profile, is necessary to determine your cholesterol levels. Ongoing checks to monitor your levels can help your doctor spot the condition early.
  2. What is contributing to my high cholesterol? Some factors that lead to high cholesterol are lifestyle associated, such as poor diet, lack of exercise and body weight. Others you cannot control, such as aging and family history. Your doctor will be able to examine your risk factors and recommend treatment options.
  3. What type of treatments are out there? Depending on your specific diagnosis, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes, medication or a combination of both to treat your condition.

    4. Also Known As: Hardened arteries, artery blockage, blocked arteries

Your health is too important to take lightly. The information on this website is intended to start you down the path to living well, but it’s only just the beginning.

Each of us is unique, and we all deserve the individual attention that only a health care professional can provide. So do what’s in your best interest - take the next step and find doctors or surgeons in your area today.