Cholesterol Treatment Irving
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is found in all cells of your body. Your body needs some cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help you digest foods. Your body makes all the cholesterol it needs.
Types of Cholesterol:
- HDL stands for high-density lipoprotein. It is called “good” cholesterol because it carries cholesterol from other parts of your body back to your liver. Your liver then removes the cholesterol from your body.
- LDL stands for low-density lipoprotein. It is called the “bad” cholesterol because it contributes to the buildup of plaque in your arteries.
- VDL stands for very low-density lipoprotein. It is also a “bad” cholesterol because it too contributes to the buildup of plaque in your arteries. But VLD and LDL are different; VDL carries triglycerides and LDL carries cholesterol.
If you have too much cholesterol in your blood, it can combine with other substances in the flood to form plaque. Plaque sticks to the walls of your arteries. This buildup of plaque is known as atherosclerosis. This can lead to coronary heart disease where your arteries become narrow or even blocked. This restriction of blood flow puts you at risk of heart attack, stroke, stent, bypass surgery, or other heart problems.
Common causes of High Cholesterol
- Unhealthy eating habits, such as eating lots of bad fats. One type, called saturated fat, is found in some meats, dairy products, chocolate, and deep-fried and process foods. Another type, trans fat, is in some fried and processed foods. Eating these fats can raise your LDL (bad) cholesterol.
- Lack of physical activity, with little exercise and lots of sitting. This lowers your HDL (good) cholesterol.
- Smoking, especially in women. This lowers HDL cholesterol.
- Genetics, or inherited high cholesterol.
- Other risks include (older) age, race, and weight/being obese.
There are usually no signs or symptoms of high cholesterol. A blood test can measure your cholesterol level. When and how often you should get this test depends on your age, risk factors and family history.
You can lower your cholesterol through a heart-healthy lifestyle change. They include a heart-healthy eating plan, weight management, and regular physical activity. If lifestyle changes are not enough to lower your cholesterol, you may need to take cholesterol-lowering drugs. In addition to taking these drugs, you should continue with healthy lifestyle changes.