Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is found in all cells of the body. Your body needs some cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help you digest foods. Your body makes all of the cholesterol it needs. However, cholesterol also comes from the foods you eat.
If you have too much cholesterol in your blood, it can build up on the walls of your blood vessels. This buildup is called plaque. Plaque can narrow your arteries or even block them.
High levels of cholesterol in the blood are a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. About 38 million adults in the U.S. have high cholesterol.
There are two main types of cholesterol:
When getting your cholesterol checked, it's important to fast for 9 to 12 hours so that your cholesterol level is measured accurately. Your healthcare provider will test your:
Healthy cholesterol levels are:
Lifestyle changes and medication can help manage high cholesterol. Lifestyle changes include eating heart healthy foods, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, and losing weight. Medications that lower cholesterol are called statins. They work by reducing the production of cholesterol made by the liver.
If you're concerned about your cholesterol levels, schedule an appointment with Hormone Wellness Institute. Their caring doctors provide cutting-edge testing services to evaluate your hormone, cholesterol, and heart health. Using science-based protocols, they create fully customized treatment plans utilizing bioidentical hormones, nutrition plans, and fitness recommendations to help you reach optimal wellness. Call today at for your initial free consultation!
So in summary, cholesterol is an important substance, but elevated LDL and low HDL levels increase your risk for cardiovascular disease. Work with your doctor to maintain healthy cholesterol levels through lifestyle changes and possibly medication if needed. Monitoring your numbers with testing is key for heart health!