Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is found in all cells of the body. Your body needs some cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help you digest foods. Your body makes all the cholesterol it needs. However, cholesterol also comes from the foods you eat.
If you have too much cholesterol in your blood, it can build up on the walls of your blood vessels. This buildup is called plaque. Plaque can narrow your arteries or even block them.
High cholesterol levels can increase your risk for heart disease and stroke, two leading causes of death in the U.S. But you can take steps to lower your cholesterol and reduce your risk.
Types of Cholesterol
There are a few different types of cholesterol:
Checking Your Cholesterol Levels
The best way to check your cholesterol levels is to get a simple blood test. This is usually done as part of a routine health exam.
For most people, the ideal levels are:
Lowering High Cholesterol
If you have high cholesterol, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and medications to help bring your levels into a healthier range.
Lifestyle changes to lower cholesterol include:
Medications that lower cholesterol include:
Getting your high cholesterol under control is important for protecting your health. At Hormone Health Center, we specialize in customized wellness plans to help patients optimize their cholesterol levels and reduce cardiac risk factors. Contact us today to learn more!