Our Services / High Cholesterol

What is high cholesterol?

Cholesterol is an organic molecule in your blood. Your body needs cholesterol to create healthy cells and perform certain functions, but an excess of cholesterol can increase your risk of severe health problems, including cardiovascular disease.

If you have high cholesterol, you may develop fatty plaques on the walls of your blood vessels without treatment. Over time, these deposits grow and make it difficult for blood to flow adequately through your veins and arteries. If a plaque deposit breaks up, it could form a clot and result in a heart attack or stroke.

High cholesterol does run in families, but it can also develop because of unhealthy dietary and lifestyle choices. For example, you're more prone to high cholesterol if you eat processed foods or forgo regular exercise.

What are the different types of cholesterol?

Not all cholesterol is harmful. In your blood, there are two primary forms of cholesterol:

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)

LDL, or "bad" cholesterol, is a type of cholesterol that moves particles of cholesterol through your body. Over time, LDL cholesterol accumulates on the walls of your arteries, making them hard and narrow.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL)

HDL, or "good" cholesterol, works to clean up excess cholesterol in your blood. HDL cholesterol attracts cholesterol in your blood and carries it back to your liver, which processes it out of your body. 

How can I prevent high cholesterol?

There are steps you can pursue to lower your risk of high cholesterol significantly. The team at Fala Medical Clinic recommends leading a heart-healthy lifestyle that includes:

• Eating a healthy diet
• Lowering your sodium intake
• Exercising regularly
• Drinking alcohol in moderation
• Quitting smoking

You should also take action to manage your stress and your weight.

How is cholesterol diagnosed and treated?

Your provider orders a blood test known as a lipid panel to diagnose cholesterol, which measures your total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.

Treatment for high cholesterol depends on the severity of your condition. When possible, the team recommends conservative measures, including dietary changes, exercise, and stress management. If your levels stay high, medication therapy and regular monitoring may be necessary.

To learn more about treatment for high cholesterol, schedule an appointment at Fala Medical Clinic today. You can call the office nearest you or click the online booking tool to begin.