What is cholesterol?
The proteins in your blood carry cholesterol, a fatlike substance. And this is a good thing since your body relies on this combination of cholesterol and protein, called lipoprotein, to create healthy cells.
There are two distinct types of lipoprotein in your body, though. While one type helps support your health, the other can build up on the walls of your blood vessels.
Not only does this limit blood flow, but the buildup can break away from the wall suddenly, causing a blood clot that can create a stroke. The two types of cholesterol are:
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
This is the bad type of cholesterol. When it builds up on the walls of your arteries, it hardens, narrowing the arteries and limiting blood flow throughout your body.
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
This type of cholesterol is beneficial. It carries excess cholesterol from your bloodstream to your liver, where it can be safely processed by your body.
What are the symptoms of high cholesterol?
There aren’t any symptoms of high cholesterol. The only way to know if you have high cholesterol is to have a blood test done by your Encino Park Family Health & Wellness Clinic provider.
Healthy cholesterol levels are anything below 200 milligrams of cholesterol per deciliter of blood. If your cholesterol test shows that your levels are higher than that, your Encino Park Family Health & Wellness Clinic provider starts you with high cholesterol treatment.
How does high cholesterol treatment work?
Healthy choices are the best way to reduce your bad cholesterol levels. Some of the changes you can make to lower your LDL cholesterol include:
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Eating a nutritious, balanced, low-salt diet
- Exercising regularly
- Managing stress
- Quitting smoking
- Drinking less alcohol
Your Encino Park Family Health & Wellness Clinic provider works with you to make manageable, sustainable lifestyle changes to balance your cholesterol levels. These changes protect your long-term health.
When lifestyle changes aren’t enough to manage your high cholesterol, they can also prescribe medication. But the team at Encino Park Family Health & Wellness Clinic uses medication only when needed, first exploring ways you can naturally reduce your bad cholesterol levels.
To learn more or to have your cholesterol checked, call the office or make your appointment online today.
