High Cholesterol: Causes and Treatments

Cholesterol is a waxy, fatty compound that appears organically in the human body. While we have come to view it as a danger to health, it is essential for cellular health and development. Cholesterol plays a role in building cell membranes, synthesizing vitamin D, and facilitating hormone production. However, high cholesterol levels can put you at risk for numerous health concerns. 

At CardioVascular Health Clinic, we provide thorough heart care, screenings, and comprehensive evaluations that help patients optimize their heart health.

What is High Cholesterol?

High cholesterol is a condition involving an overabundance of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in the system. These proteins carry cholesterol throughout your body, but when your body overproduces this type of protein, fatty deposits accumulate on artery and blood vessel walls. The buildup – plaque -- congests the arteries and blood vessels, leading to significant medical events like stroke and cardiac arrest. 

However, another type of lipoprotein (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL) can absorb excess cholesterol and transfer it to the liver, where it is flushed from the body. Elevating HDL cholesterol can reduce your risk of coronary artery disease and other heart-related health complications.

While high cholesterol can be the result of inherited factors, it is mainly caused or exacerbated by lack of exercise, obesity, a high-fat, high-sodium, high-calorie diet, or smoking. 

How is High Cholesterol Treated?

First, a cholesterol screening must be conducted to establish the degree of elevated cholesterol, and to learn your heart disease risk. Screenings establish your full lipid profile and identify your LDL and HDL cholesterol levels. 

Managing high LDL cholesterol is crucial for people with arterial plaque, high blood pressure, diabetes, or other conditions associated with a heightened risk of cardiovascular disease. 

Everyone is unique; if you struggle with high cholesterol, your high cholesterol treatment protocols might involve several interventions. The conditions that will affect your treatment plan will be the following: 

• Blood pressure readings
• Medical history
• Diet
• Cardiovascular fitness
• Age
• Ethnic background

High cholesterol treatments might include the following: 

Lifestyle modifications: Numerous lifestyle factors increase your risk of experiencing medical complications caused by high LDL cholesterol. These include a lack of physical activity and a high-fat, high-calorie diet. Incorporating more exercise into your daily routine and eating a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, and seeds might lower your LDL cholesterol and raise your HDL cholesterol.

Medications: It is possible to use prescription drugs to reduce LDL cholesterol levels. One group of widely used medications is statins. Statins lower LDL cholesterol by inhibiting the liver's production of cholesterol.

Everyone over 20 should have a cholesterol screening every five years. If your test results aren’t optimal, your doctor might recommend undergoing more frequent screenings. Your doctor might also suggest additional screenings in the following circumstances:

• You have an existing condition like diabetes or heart disease
• You have a family history of high cholesterol
• You belong to a medically high-risk group 
• You take medications that raise cholesterol

If you have concerns about your heart health, please don’t hesitate to contact our dedicated team of representatives to schedule a screening today.