High Cholesterol

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a type of fat made by your liver. Your body uses cholesterol to make cell membranes, vitamin D, and some hormones. Because your body makes its cholesterol, it’s not an essential nutrient you need to get from outside sources.

However, certain types of food may increase your body’s production of cholesterol, causing a higher-than-normal blood cholesterol level. This includes foods high in saturated fat like butter, cheese, and red meat and foods high in trans fat like fried foods and mass-produced baked goods. 

Though cholesterol is present in food, it may not have as much of an impact on your blood cholesterol levels as saturated and trans fats.

Why should I worry about high cholesterol?

You should worry about high cholesterol because it puts you at risk of developing other health problems. Too much cholesterol in your blood combines with minerals and other substances, forming a substance called plaque.

Plaque sticks to the walls of the blood vessels, causing the passageway to narrow or close. High cholesterol may lead to coronary artery disease (blockages in the coronary arteries in the heart) or peripheral artery disease (blockages in the peripheral arteries in the legs). 

These blockages affect blood flow to vital organs and may lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Does high cholesterol cause symptoms?

You can have high cholesterol and not have any symptoms. At Clinic Time, Dr. Faltas does routine blood cholesterol screenings to monitor your numbers and help you make lifestyle changes to improve your cholesterol and health and prevent complications. 

What can I do to lower high cholesterol?

Dr. Faltas customizes your high cholesterol treatment plan based on the results of your blood work and the underlying cause of your high cholesterol. In most cases, high cholesterol occurs from lifestyle habits like poor nutrition, lack of exercise, and smoking tobacco products. 

Dr. Faltas works as a coach, teaching you how to make better food choices, fit in more physical activity, and stop smoking. He also helps with weight management. 

When lifestyle changes fail to improve your high cholesterol, Dr. Faltas may prescribe a cholesterol-lowering medication.

High cholesterol is a risk factor for other health problems, but a condition you can control. Call Clinic Time, or schedule your high cholesterol consultation online today.