What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is an essential substance in the blood that the body uses to build healthy cells. There are 2 types of cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) — or bad cholesterol — that builds up on the walls of your arteries, narrowing and hardening them, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) — or good cholesterol — that picks up extra cholesterol and returns it to the liver.
Where should my cholesterol level be?
A cholesterol blood test will show your overall number, but also your HDL and LDL numbers.
For a healthy person, your overall number should be below 200 mg/dL. Healthy people should have an LDL between 100-129 mg/dL, while people with heart disease or diabetes should have an LDL below 70 mg/dL. Your HDL should be 60 mg/dL or above.
Why is high cholesterol dangerous?
If left untreated, high cholesterol can lead to a buildup of cholesterol and other substances on the walls of your arteries. These accumulations, or plaques, reduce the flow of blood through the arteries, which can lead to an increased risk of stroke and heart attack..
What causes high cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a normal and essential component of the blood, but some people accumulate more than they need. Some of the risk factors that may lead to high cholesterol include:
- A diet high in trans fats and saturated fats
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Lack of physical activity
- Obesity
- Having a large waist circumference
Genetics also plays a role in the development of high cholesterol.
How does Dr. Calonje treat patients with high cholesterol?
Dr. Calonje diagnoses high cholesterol based on the results of a blood test. With a confirmed the diagnosis, he may recommend several different treatment options. Many patients are able to lower their cholesterol through lifestyle changes alone. Dr. Calonje encourages patients with high cholesterol to exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight, eat a nutritious diet, and quit smoking.
In some cases, lifestyle changes may not be enough to normalize high cholesterol levels. In such cases, Dr. Calonje may prescribe medications. The most common medications prescribed to patients with high cholesterol include statins, cholesterol absorption inhibitors, and bile-acid-binding resins. Some patients may also benefit from injectable medications designed to lower the amount of cholesterol in the blood.
