The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that high cholesterol affects nearly 94 million American adults. At the Temecula Medical Group in Temecula, California, Richard Rawson, DO, and his team encourage healthy lifestyle changes, preventive care, and treatments for high cholesterol. This fatty substance increases your risk of developing severe health complications like stroke. The sooner you reduce your cholesterol levels, the more likely you will return to the peak of health. To learn more, call the Temecula Medical Group today or schedule an appointment online.
Cholesterol is a waxy material that helps build your cell membranes. While small amounts of this fatty substance are necessary, too much of it can clog your arteries. High cholesterol restricts blood flow. These deposits can even break apart, leading to heart attack, stroke, and other potentially severe complications.
There are two types of cholesterol:
LDL cholesterol, the so-called “bad cholesterol,” collects along your artery walls, causing them to narrow and become rigid.
Also called “good cholesterol,” HDL cholesterol removes excess LDL from your blood, taking it to your liver. The liver eliminates it from your body.
Triglycerides are another fatty substance in your blood that can block your arteries and raise your risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
While genetics can increase your chances of having high cholesterol, other common risk factors include:
Underlying conditions like diabetes and hypertension (high blood pressure) can also increase your risk of high cholesterol.
The Temecula Medical Group team runs a lipid panel to diagnose high cholesterol. This comprehensive blood test measures your LDL level, HDL level, total cholesterol, and triglycerides to determine if your levels are too high.
The team can run several tests to measure your cholesterol levels. Some require that you stop eating and drinking at least 12 hours before the test, while others don’t require fasting. The team will give you instructions before the test if you need to fast.
The goal of high cholesterol treatment is to lower your LDL numbers. Doing so often requires lifestyle and dietary changes and taking medication. Common medications for high cholesterol and triglycerides include:
To reduce your LDL levels, it’s essential that you follow a heart-healthy diet that includes a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables. Regular exercise is also necessary to regulate your cholesterol levels. If you’re carrying excess weight, the team will recommend losing it.
Call Temecula Medical Group today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about high cholesterol.
