Cholesterol is a fat-like substance produced in your liver that is also found in some foods. Although cholesterol is needed by your body, too much cholesterol can lead to serious problems, such as heart disease. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of men and women in the United States. Excess cholesterol builds up in the walls of your arteries. Your arteries narrow, slowing or blocking blood and oxygen trying to flow to your heart. This leads to an increased risk of heart attack. Blood and oxygen that can’t get to your brain also increase your risk of stroke.
High cholesterol does not cause symptoms, so many people with high cholesterol don’t know their levels are too high until it’s too late. It’s important for adults to get their cholesterol tested at least once every 5 years.
A blood test called a lipoprotein profile tells you your levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, highdensity lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and triglycerides. LDL cholesterol is called “bad” cholesterol because it’s the main source of buildup and blockage in arteries, while HDL cholesterol is called “good” cholesterol because it helps clear extra cholesterol from the body. Triglycerides are a type of fat in the blood.
Your NP will be able to analyze your blood test to tell you if your levels of cholesterol are too high. Lifestyle changes, along with the possible addition of a prescription medication, can help you lower your cholesterol levels.
Quite a few factors may lead to high levels of cholesterol in your body. You cannot control some of these factors. For example, high cholesterol can be hereditary, meaning it runs in families. Age and gender may also play a role in high cholesterol levels. As men and women age, their cholesterol levels rise. Also, women’s LDL cholesterol levels tend to rise after menopause.
Risk factors you can control include the following:
High cholesterol does not cause symptoms, so many people with high cholesterol don’t know their levels are too high until it’s too late. It’s important for adults to get their cholesterol tested at least once every 5 years.
A blood test called a lipoprotein profile tells you your levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, highdensity lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and triglycerides. LDL cholesterol is called “bad” cholesterol because it’s the main source of buildup and blockage in arteries, while HDL cholesterol is called “good” cholesterol because it helps clear extra cholesterol from the body. Triglycerides are a type of fat in the blood.
Your NP will be able to analyze your blood test to tell you if your levels of cholesterol are too high. Lifestyle changes, along with the possible addition of a prescription medication, can help you lower your cholesterol levels.
Quite a few factors may lead to high levels of cholesterol in your body. You cannot control some of these factors. For example, high cholesterol can be hereditary, meaning it runs in families. Age and gender may also play a role in high cholesterol levels. As men and women age, their cholesterol levels rise. Also, women’s LDL cholesterol levels tend to rise after menopause.
Risk factors you can control include the following:
- Diet — Ingesting high amounts of cholesterol and saturated and trans fats in foods raises cholesterol levels.
- Weight — Being overweight or obese tends to increase cholesterol levels.
- Physical activity — A lack of physical activity may lower your level of HDL cholesterol.
- Smoking — This habit damages blood vessel walls, making them more likely to accumulate fatty deposits. Also, smoking may lower the level of HDL cholesterol in the body.