High Cholesterol

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy substance that circulates through your blood. Your body needs cholesterol to perform essential functions, such as making hormones and building healthy cells. 

Your liver produces all the cholesterol your body requires, but you also get cholesterol from food like eggs and meat. Too much cholesterol in your blood can have negative health effects, such as increasing your risk for heart attack and stroke. 

High cholesterol levels may cause fatty deposits to accumulate in your blood vessels. This buildup of cholesterol is called plaque. Over time, plaque can harden and cause your blood vessels to become narrow or completely blocked.  

What is the difference between good and bad cholesterol?

You may have heard of “good” and “bad” cholesterol. These types are differentiated by the kind of proteins that attach to the cholesterol to transport it through your blood. Together, proteins and cholesterol form a lipoprotein. 

The different types of lipoproteins are:

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)

This is the “bad” cholesterol. LDL transports cholesterol throughout your body. This type may accumulate in your blood vessels and cause them to become narrow and hardened.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL)

HDL is called “good” cholesterol because it removes excess cholesterol from your bloodstream and carries it back to the liver.

How can I find out if I have high cholesterol?

High cholesterol usually doesn’t cause any symptoms, so the only way to know if your levels are healthy or not is to get a blood cholesterol test. The team at HeartCare Associates of Connecticut performs quick and easy cholesterol tests right in their office, so you don’t need to go to a lab or hospital.

Then, your provider at HeartCare Associates of Connecticut carefully explains your blood test results. They may recommend treatment based on your specific cholesterol levels. 

How is high cholesterol treated?

To develop your cholesterol management plan, the team at HeartCare Associates of Connecticut first examine your medical history and lifestyle factors. Treatment for high cholesterol often begins with simple lifestyle changes, such as:

• Quitting smoking
• Exercising regularly
• Eating a healthy diet

If your cholesterol remains high after making these changes, your doctor at HeartCare Associates of Connecticut may prescribe medications, such as statins, to help control your cholesterol. 

To find out if you have high cholesterol, call HeartCare Associates of Connecticut or book an appointment online today.