Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) is an excess of lipids or fats in your blood. This can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke because blood can’t flow through your arteries easily. Adding exercise and healthy foods can lower your cholesterol. Some people need medication as well. Managing your cholesterol is a long-term effort.
Anyone can get high cholesterol, and it can be caused by many different things. Some things you can control like lifestyle habits, others you can’t. As long as you take care of the things you can control, you’ll help lower your risk. Things that cause high cholesterol you can control:
– eating too much saturated fat
– not being active enough
– having too much body fat, especially around your middle.
– Smoking can lead to high cholesterol levels, and the build-up of tar it causes in your arteries makes it easier for cholesterol to stick to your artery walls.
If you are overweight or have diabetes, you are at greater risk of having high cholesterol.
Signs And Symptoms Of High Cholesterol
There aren’t usually any typical signs you have high cholesterol which is why it’s so important to get it checked out. It’s a hidden risk factor which means it happens without us knowing until it’s too late.
Treatments For High Cholesterol
If your cholesterol is very high and if lifestyle changes are not enough, Dr. Karin Vela might suggest controlling it with medication.
Statins are the main type of medicine used to reduce cholesterol. Your doctor will let you know if you need to take any other drugs which help control your cholesterol levels. The good news is that when you take steps to lower your cholesterol, your changes can all add up. You’ll lower your risk of other illnesses too or help stop them from getting worse.
If you have any questions or concerns about your cholesterol level and how to lower it, feel free to contact Dr. Barbara Karin Vela today to schedule an appointment.