Cholesterol Management
If you have high cholesterol, visit Sai Triyas Clinic immediately to get the right treatment
Cholesterol is the substance in the blood that is responsible for creating healthy cells. The liver produces cholesterol, and the food we intake also produces cholesterol. But too much cholesterol can cause problems, and it is called bad cholesterol (HDL). Your body also has good cholesterol.
Good cholesterol, also called high-density lipoprotein (HDL) , removes cholesterol from the bloodstream. Whereas bad cholesterol is the low-density lipoprotein (LDL). If the high cholesterol levels are due to the high amount of HDL, you are not at risk. If the high cholesterol levels are due to the higher levels of LDL, you are at a greater risk of stroke or heart disease.
Though high cholesterol is inherited, bad lifestyle habits can also result in high cholesterol. However, it can be prevented by following proper measures suggested by your doctor.
Symptoms of High Cholesterol
High cholesterol is also a silent condition, and in most cases, it does not show any symptoms.
If your body has high levels of cholesterol, the extra cholesterol will be stored in the arteries that are responsible for carrying blood from the heart to other body parts. The cholesterol deposited in arteries is called plaque. Plaque can become hard and can narrow down arteries or can completely block arteries. Sometimes, plaque can even break and cause blood clots that can block the blood flow.
If the artery to the heart is blocked, it causes a heart attack. Whereas, if the artery to the brain gets blocked, it causes a stroke.
Many people do not even realise that they have high cholesterol until they develop serious health issues such as stroke or heart attack. Hence, it is important to undergo cholesterol screening tests on a regular basis.
Causes of High Cholesterol
Cholesterol is produced by the liver, and it is also obtained from the food you take. The cholesterol levels can also increase with poor lifestyle habits. It is the main reason for high cholesterol in many people.
Unhealthy lifestyle habits include:
- No physical activity
- Unhealthy diet
- Overweight or obese
- Smoking or exposure to tobacco reduces your good cholesterol
Some people inherit from their parents or grandparents, which is called familial hyper cholesterol (FH). If your family have any history of FH, make sure that you get your cholesterol levels checked regularly. Health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure can also cause high cholesterol.
How is High Cholesterol Diagnosed?
You cannot say that you have high cholesterol until you get it checked through a blood test. Everyone who is above the age of 20 should undergo a test to determine the cholesterol levels in their body for at least once in five years. The blood test indicates how much cholesterol is carried by the bloodstream. This blood test is called a lipid panel. The lipid panel provides the following counts:
- Total cholesterol
- LDL cholesterol
- HDL cholesterol
- Non-HDL cholesterol
- Triglycerides
Before undergoing the test, it is recommended to fast without consuming food and liquids other than water from 9 to 12 hours before the test. For some cholesterol tests, you may not need to follow this, and hence you should follow the instructions of your doctor.
Treatment for High Cholesterol
High cholesterol can be treated in several ways such as lifestyle changes, and medication. You need to closely work with your doctor to determine which treatment option is suitable for you.
The very first treatment your doctor chooses is the non-invasive one, which is lifestyle changes. The following lifestyle changes can help reduce your cholesterol levels:
- Avoid smoking
- Eat healthy foods such as fruits, whole grains, vegetables and avoid trans fats and saturated fats
- Perform regular exercise
- Lose weight to maintain a healthy weight
- Manage stress and learn how to deal with stress, and anger or any other negative emotions
- Control your BP and blood sugar
If the lifestyle changes do not work for you, your doctor would prescribe medications to control your cholesterol levels in the body.
If you neglect high cholesterol and do not get proper treatment for it, it can lead to life-threatening issues such as coronary heart disease.
Looking for Cholesterol Management Solution? Visit Sai Triyas Clinic
If you have high cholesterol, visit Sai Triyas Clinic immediately to get the right treatment. The clinic is handled by Dr Abhinandana who has gained vast knowledge in treating high cholesterol patients. Many patients have returned to their daily life after receiving treatment from us. Do not delay and visit us today!