Cholesterol Regulations, Right at Your Fingertips
High cholesterol levels in the bloodstream are a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, which are two of the leading causes of death worldwide. In fact, high cholesterol is often referred to as a "silent killer" because it usually doesn't cause any symptoms until it's too late. So, yes, it does matter if you have high cholesterol. Here's what you need to know about high cholesterol and why it's important to take steps to lower it if it's too high.
What is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is found in the bloodstream and is produced by the liver. It's essential for the normal functioning of the body, but when there's too much of it in the bloodstream, it can build up in the walls of the arteries and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. There are two types of cholesterol: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which is often referred to as the "bad" cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, which is often referred to as the "good" cholesterol.
Why is High Cholesterol Dangerous?
High levels of LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream can cause fatty deposits to build up in the walls of the arteries. Over time, these deposits can narrow the arteries, making it harder for blood to flow through them. This can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other health problems. In fact, high cholesterol is one of the leading causes of heart disease and stroke.
What Causes High Cholesterol?
There are a number of factors that can contribute to high cholesterol levels, including:
- A diet that is high in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol
- Lack of physical activity
- Being overweight or obese
- Genetics
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
How to Know if You Have High Cholesterol
The only way to know if you have high cholesterol is to get a blood test. This test, called a lipid panel or lipid profile, measures the levels of LDL, HDL, and total cholesterol in your bloodstream. You may need to fast (not eat or drink anything but water) for 9 to 12 hours before the test, depending on the type of test your doctor orders.
What to Do if You Have High Cholesterol
If you have high cholesterol, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet, getting regular physical activity, losing weight if you need to, and quitting smoking. If lifestyle changes aren't enough to lower your cholesterol, your doctor may also prescribe medication.
Lifestyle Changes to Lower Cholesterol
The following lifestyle changes can help lower your cholesterol levels:
- Eat a healthy diet that's low in saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, and salt, and high in fiber.
- Get regular physical activity, such as 30 minutes of moderate exercise on most days of the week.
- Lose weight if you need to.
- Quit smoking.
- Limit alcohol.
Medications to Lower Cholesterol
If lifestyle changes aren't enough to lower your cholesterol, your doctor may prescribe medication. Some common medications used to lower cholesterol include:
- Statins: These drugs help lower the production of cholesterol in the liver.
- Bile acid sequestrants: These drugs help remove cholesterol from the bloodstream.
- Niacin: This type of B vitamin can help raise HDL cholesterol and lower LDL cholesterol.
- Cholesterol absorption inhibitors: These drugs help prevent the body from absorbing cholesterol from the diet.
- PCSK9 inhibitors: These are a newer type of cholesterol-lowering medication that work by blocking a specific protein in the liver that helps regulate cholesterol
