High Cholesterol

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a natural part of a healthy body. It is a waxy element in the blood that is produced by the liver. It is found in many foods and is an integral part of building cells and producing hormones and vitamin D.

Within healthy limits, cholesterol is essential to your wellness and health. When cholesterol levels are too high, however, it can accumulate in the bloodstream and cause blockages, preventing blood and oxygen from reaching tissues in the body.

High cholesterol levels in the blood can cause severe complications, including coronary artery disease, heart attack, and stroke. Cholesterol levels are determined by the amount of high-density lipids (HDL) and low-density lipids (LDL) in your blood.

What are HDL and LDL?

HDL and LDL are the two different types of cells responsible for managing your cholesterol. 

HDL

HDL is a specialized cell that transports excess cholesterol through the bloodstream and out of the body. HDL is often referred to as “good cholesterol.”

LDL

LDL is another type of specialized cell that transports cholesterol through the body. If there’s too much cholesterol in the blood, LDL can cause it to accumulate and cause a blockage in the circulatory system. For this reason, it is often called “bad cholesterol.”

Healthy cholesterol levels are a balance of both HDL and LDL cells. Ideally, a healthy body has a high number of HDL cells and a low number of LDL cells.

The amount of each of these cells in the blood is what is determined when you get a cholesterol check. A healthy level of HDL is 60 mg/dl or above, while LDL should be 100 mg/dl or less.

What are the complications of having high cholesterol?

High cholesterol is a leading risk factor for several severe health conditions, including coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD blocks the blood vessels to the heart and rest of the body, increasing the risk for conditions, such as:

• Stroke
• Blood clots
• Liver disease
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Atherosclerosis
• High blood pressure
• Type 2 diabetes 

Regular cholesterol checks and physical exams at Nguyen Medical Group help to monitor your cholesterol level and any signs of cholesterol-related complications.

How can I manage my cholesterol level?

You can do a lot to manage and improve your cholesterol level. Healthy lifestyle choices that can serve to increase your HDL and lower your LDL include:

• Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight
• Eating a healthy diet
• Having your cholesterol checked regularly
• Having regular physical examinations
• Maintaining an active lifestyle
• Quitting smoking or tobacco use

If needed, Dr. Nguyen may prescribe cholesterol-lowering medications to help support your healthy lifestyle choices.

For a consultation regarding your high cholesterol, call or schedule an appointment with Nguyen Medical Group online today.