High Cholesterol

What is high cholesterol?

High cholesterol is a chronic disease risk factor. It occurs when cholesterol, a waxy substance found in your blood, builds up in blood vessel walls and makes them narrower. Over time, fatty deposits in blood vessels can break off and form a clot. This increases your risk of a stroke or heart attack. Keeping cholesterol levels in check greatly reduces your risk of medical problems.

Does high cholesterol produce any symptoms?

High cholesterol normally doesn’t produce any symptoms. That’s why it’s important to undergo blood cholesterol screenings periodically so your provider can assess your levels and offer treatment as needed. A high cholesterol screening involves a simple blood test that lets your provider know which treatments, if any, are the most appropriate.

What are the risk factors for high cholesterol?

While high cholesterol can happen to anybody, certain factors increase your risk of experiencing it. Examples include:

• Genetics
• Family history of high cholesterol
• Poor dietary habits
• Eating excess animal fat
• Obesity
• Lack of exercise
• Older age
• Diabetes
• Smoking

The best way to reduce your risk of developing high cholesterol is to maintain healthy lifestyle habits.

What are my high cholesterol treatment options?

If you have high cholesterol, your Farr Medical Group, Inc. provider might recommend one or more of the following treatments:

Lifestyle changes

Making healthy lifestyle changes is one of the best ways to reduce high cholesterol naturally. Eat a nutritious diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and other fiber-rich foods, achieve or maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, manage chronic diseases if you have them, reduce your intake of animal fats, and avoid smoking.

Dietary supplements

Your provider may suggest you take specific dietary supplements, such as fish oil, fiber supplements, high-dose niacin, or other natural supplements to lower blood cholesterol into a healthier range.

Cholesterol-lowering medications

If other treatments haven’t worked to reduce high cholesterol, your Farr Medical Group, Inc. provider may suggest you take cholesterol-lowering medications to reduce your risk of a heart attack and stroke.

Don’t let high cholesterol go undetected and untreated. Schedule a cholesterol screening with Farr Medical Group, Inc. by phone or online today.