Cholesterol is essential in ensuring your general health and wellbeing. However, high cholesterol levels can raise your chances of developing heart disease and stroke, which may jeopardize your life. Boynton Beach high cholesterol specialists at Nguyen Medical Group offer practical techniques for managing your cholesterol levels and leading a healthy life.
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol refers to a type of lipid that your body synthesizes to sustain itself. This fatty substance circulates in your blood, ensuring your general wellness. Some foods such as proteins also contain cholesterol, essential for producing vitamin D and hormones and cell regeneration. However, when your cholesterol levels exceed the required amounts, they may accumulate in your bloodstream and clog your blood vessels. These blockages may prevent blood circulation, limiting oxygen and blood supply in other tissues of your body. High cholesterol levels can also trigger life-threatening complications such as stroke, artery disease, and heart attack. Medical experts gauge your cholesterol levels using the number of low-density lipids (LDL) and high-density lipids (HDL) in your blood.
What are LDL and HDL?
HDL and LDL are forms of lipoproteins that manage your cholesterol levels.
- HDL
HDL is often considered “good cholesterol,” as most people with high HDL have a lower risk of developing heart disease. HDL transports excess cholesterol from your arteries to your liver, eliminating it.
- LDL
LDL is another lipoprotein that aids in transporting cholesterol in your bloodstream. LDL encourages the accumulation of cholesterol on the walls of your blood vessels, causing blockages that increase your chances of getting stroke or heart disease. For this reason, it is known as the “bad cholesterol.” Your cholesterol levels are healthy if you have low LDL levels and high HDL levels. The number of these lipoproteins determines whether you need a cholesterol check or not.
What complications can high cholesterol cause?
High cholesterol is one of the common causes of the occurrence of life-threatening health conditions like coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD refers to plaque accumulation in the blood vessels that transport oxygenated blood to your heart. Coronary artery disease can trigger complications such as:
- Liver disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Stroke
- Atherosclerosis
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Blood clots
- High blood pressure
The professional team at Nguyen Medical Group recommends regular physical and cholesterol exams to monitor your cholesterol and detect cholesterol-related health conditions early. Early detection of conditions resulting from high cholesterol makes treatment more manageable and increases the success levels.
How can you manage your cholesterol?
Medications play an essential role in maintaining a healthy balance between your LDL and HDL levels. However, it is advisable to make lifestyle adjustments to improve your cholesterol levels before resorting to medications. Some of the lifestyle adjustments you can consider include:
- Eating a balanced diet
- Regular exercise
- Attaining a medically healthy weight
- Going for regular cholesterol check-ups
- Going for routine physical exams
- Avoiding smoking cigarettes or tobacco
Dr. Nguyen may recommend cholesterol-lowering medications to maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
If you are concerned about your cholesterol levels, call the Nguyen Medical Group or book your spot online for a cholesterol check-up.
