Our Services / High Cholesterol

What is high cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy substance in your blood that helps build new cells. While your body needs cholesterol, too much of it can clog your blood vessels. Blocked blood vessels prevent the healthy flow of blood and raise your risk of heart attack, stroke, and other complications. 

Certain foods, such as red meat, full-fat dairy, and fried foods, contain high levels of cholesterol that can congest your arteries.

What are the different types of cholesterol?

There are three different types of cholesterol:

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)

LDL cholesterol, or “bad cholesterol,” accumulates in your blood vessel walls and clogs your arteries.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL)

Also called “good cholesterol,” HDL helps remove low-density lipoprotein cholesterol to prevent it from collecting in your blood vessels.

Triglycerides 

Triglycerides are similar to cholesterol, with one key difference. While triglycerides are fat, cholesterol is not. High levels of triglycerides in your blood significantly raise your risk of serious health complications like heart attack.

What causes high cholesterol?

Many factors increase your risk of high cholesterol, including:

• A high-fat diet
• Low physical activity
• Tobacco use (smoking cigarettes, chewing tobacco, etc.)
• Carrying excess weight
• Underlying conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension (high blood pressure)

High cholesterol can also be hereditary. If you have a close relative with high cholesterol, you’re at risk of developing the condition.

What are the symptoms of high cholesterol?

High cholesterol is challenging to treat because it has no symptoms. That’s why regular physical exams are essential for your health. If you have any risk factors for high cholesterol, the team may recommend testing your blood. 

Generally, your HDL cholesterol levels should measure 5mmol/L or less for healthy individuals and 4mmol/L or less for high-risk adults.

Meanwhile, your LDL levels should measure 3mmol/L or less for healthy adults and 2mmol/L or less for those at high risk.

What are the treatments for high cholesterol?

Today’s Wellness and Primary Care may recommend a series of diet and lifestyle modifications to lower your cholesterol, including:

• A balanced, low-fat diet
• Smoking cessation
• Regular exercise
• More fruits and vegetables
• Medication

The team may test your cholesterol regularly to ensure your treatment is working. To learn more about high cholesterol, call Today’s Wellness and Primary Care or schedule an appointment online today.