What is high cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a fat called a lipid that is naturally found in your bloodstream. In fact, your body produces these lipids for your cells to function. The problem is that while your body will produce enough for your cells, you are also adding lipids through the food you eat, creating high cholesterol in your blood.
High cholesterol is caused by an imbalance between the two types of cholesterol:
- LDL -- also known as the “bad” cholesterol, builds up on your arteries
- HDL -- also known as the “good” cholesterol, picks up the excess cholesterol and delivers it to your liver
If these are out of balance, the excess cholesterol in your body is not being processed and eliminated, instead creating fatty deposits in your arteries.
Over time, the increased cholesterol may lead to:
- Hardened arteries, or atherosclerosis
- Narrowing of your arteries
- Blood clots
- Inflammation
- Stroke
What causes high cholesterol?
High cholesterol can usually be traced back to any of these risks:
- Obesity
- Poor diet that includes too many saturated and trans fats
- Lack of exercise
- Smoking
- Diabetes
A large waist has also been shown to have an effect on cholesterol, especially for men with a circumference of 40 inches or more, and women who measure 35 inches or more. Family history also plays a role in the condition, so if your family has a history of high cholesterol, you may have a higher risk.
How is high cholesterol treated?
Treating high cholesterol can largely be done by mitigating your risks. For example:
- Eating a healthy diet with lower fat content
- Getting more exercise
- Losing weight
- Quitting smoking
There are also a number of medications available to fight high cholesterol and choosing the right one for you will depend on your age, sex, and current health. Medical treatments include:
- Statins that block your liver from producing cholesterol
- Cholesterol-absorption inhibitors
- Bile-acid-binding resins, which prompt your liver to use the excess cholesterol
- Injectable medications that help your liver absorb cholesterol
- Niacin and omega-3 fatty acid supplements
After determining the likely cause of your high cholesterol and the nature of the imbalance, Dr. Ahad-Daman will recommend an approach to return your cholesterol to normal levels.
