What is high cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy substance that leads to serious health problems when you have an excess of it in your body. Cholesterol comes in two forms. There’s HDL, which is known as the “good” cholesterol and helps your liver process cholesterol, and LDL, which is known as the “bad” cholesterol because it tends to build up in your arteries.
With high cholesterol, LDL cholesterol slowly builds up in the vital arteries to your brain and heart, leading to serious health issues.
What causes high cholesterol?
Unhealthy lifestyle choices can trigger high cholesterol, including:
- Smoking
- Being overweight
- Eating fatty foods
- Not getting enough exercise
You may be at higher risk for high cholesterol if you have a family history of the condition. Your parents or grandparents may have passed along the genes that cause your body to make too much cholesterol in a condition known as familial hypercholesterolemia.
How is high cholesterol diagnosed?
High cholesterol doesn’t produce symptoms, so it’s important to see Bethel Family Medicine for routine cholesterol tests. The practice offers cholesterol testing on-site for your convenience.
Your provider may advise you not to eat or drink anything prior to your test. During the test, your provider takes a small sample of blood from your finger or arm. You shouldn’t feel any pain. Bethel Family Medicine’s office contacts you with your results. If you have high cholesterol, you and your doctor can move forward with treatment options.
How is high cholesterol treated?
Your provider at Bethel Family Medicine is your partner in health, working with you to manage your cholesterol levels. You’ll want to start by getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, and cutting back on red meat and fried foods.
To set you on the path to better health, Bethel Family Medicine offers a comprehensive weight loss and nutrition program. The 12-week program includes:
- Nutritional counseling
- Clinical testing
- Ongoing lifestyle consultations
- Monitoring of your progress
Your provider also may prescribe medications to manage your high cholesterol, including:
- Statins: This helps to reduce the amount of bad cholesterol in your body.
- Selective cholesterol absorption inhibitors: This type of medication prevents absorption of LDL.
- Resins: These encourage your body to naturally eliminate cholesterol.
If you’re ready for a comprehensive treatment plan for high cholesterol that goes beyond medication, call today or schedule a consultation online with Bethel Family Medicine.
