HUNTSVILLE LIVING | FEBRUARY 2024 | 19
Cholesterol Under Control
doctor can recommend the appropriate intervals to help manage your cholesterol most effectively .
Take medications as prescribed . Statins are the medications most often recommended by treatment guidelines for the management of blood cholesterol , and nearly one-third ( 30 %) of those taking statins believe they are the only cholesterol-lowering treatment available , according to the survey . However , even with maximal statin therapy , some patients with chronic disease do not meet recommended LDL cholesterol levels . Taking your medications regularly and as instructed helps your doctor determine whether additional therapies - including non-statin treatments - could be useful to help manage your blood cholesterol .
Make lifestyle adjustments . Your diet plays a major role in lowering LDL cholesterol . Limiting fatty foods , especially those that are high in saturated and trans fats , is key . Monitoring your overall diet and exercising can also help reduce your risk of high cholesterol . Even if you don ’ t have high cholesterol , adopting more cholesterol-friendly habits can help prevent your levels from rising to unhealthy levels in the future .
To find additional information about managing your
high cholesterol , talk to your health care provider and visit WaveTheRedFlag . info .
Family Features Photos courtesy of Shutterstock | Source : Esperion
FAST FACTS ABOUT CHOLESTEROL
WHAT IS CHOLESTEROL ?
The liver creates a fat-like waxy substance called cholesterol . It serves useful purposes for the body , including producing hormones and helping digest food .
HOW DO YOU GET HIGH CHOLESTEROL ?
The human body makes all the cholesterol it needs naturally , so any cholesterol you eat is cholesterol you don ’ t need . However , it can be difficult to avoid because you can find dietary cholesterol in many common foods , including meat , seafood , poultry , eggs and dairy . Other non-dietary contributing factors include health conditions like obesity and diabetes , as well as family history and advancing age .
WHAT IS A NORMAL CHOLESTEROL LEVEL ?
An average optimal level of LDL cholesterol is about 100 milligrams per deciliter ( mg / dL ).
An average optimal level of high-density lipoprotein , or HDL , cholesterol is at least 40 mg / dL for men and 50 mg / dL for women . HDL cholesterol can actually lower your risk of heart disease and stroke .
ARE THERE SYMPTOMS OF HIGH CHOLESTEROL ?
Unlike many health conditions , there are rarely any symptoms that your cholesterol is high . That ’ s what makes regular screening so important .
HUNTSVILLE LIVING | FEBRUARY 2024 | 19