High cholesterol, a waxy, fat-like substance found in the blood, can be harmful to a person’s health. That’s why ThedaCare is encouraging people to understand their cholesterol levels and their risk for diseases associated with high cholesterol numbers.
Since it has no symptoms, many people with high cholesterol don’t know they have it so they aren’t treating or addressing their condition. This may put them at greater risk for health issues such as heart disease, stroke, peripheral artery disease and high blood pressure.
Nearly 25 million U.S. adults have high cholesterol, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Another 86 million have borderline high cholesterol.
“The first step is knowing your cholesterol levels,” said Dr. Abdulmohsin Ahmadjee, a Cardiologist with ThedaCare Cardiovascular Care. “From there, your cardiologist or primary care provider can work with you to manage and treat your high cholesterol.”
Cholesterol 101
The body needs cholesterol to build cells and make vitamins and other hormones. At a certain threshold, cholesterol can become problematic. When the level of bad, or low-density lipoprotein (LDL), cholesterol becomes too high, it can lead to a buildup of plaque in the arteries. This may increase the risk for conditions such as heart attack, heart disease and stroke.
Cholesterol is made up of two parts:
- LDL is known as bad cholesterol because it contributes to fatty buildup in the arteries.
- HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is called good cholesterol because it helps clear out the cholesterol your body doesn’t need.
A lipid panel is a common blood test that measures the levels of certain types of fat in the blood. This includes total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides (they store excess fat from a person’s diet). In general, optimal numbers are as follows:
- Total cholesterol: <200 mg/dl
- LDL cholesterol: <100 mg/dl
- HDL cholesterol: >60 mg/dl
- Triglycerides: <150 mg/dl
“It’s tempting to focus on numbers alone, but it’s not always that simple,” Dr. Ahmadjee said. “Your primary care provider will assess your complete health picture to help determine if your cholesterol levels are of concern.”
Based on a person’s individual risk factors, their primary care provider may also determine at what age they should first have a lipid panel and how often they should complete the blood test. A person’s age, gender, family history and heart disease risk factors all come into play in decision-making.
“When you stay on top of routine care, your primary care provider can more effectively help you track and manage your cholesterol and other heart health risk factors,” Dr. Ahmadjee said. “Certain factors can increase your risk for developing high cholesterol. Some of these you can control, some, you can’t.”
Risk factors include type 2 diabetes, obesity, family history of high cholesterol, poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, age (risk increases as a person ages) and gender (women’s risk increases after menopause).
Prevention and Management
There are steps people can take to help reduce their risk for high cholesterol, Dr. Ahmadjee said. They include but aren’t limited to:
- Eating a healthy, balanced diet
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Exercising regularly
- Quitting smoking
- Limiting alcohol
Lifestyle modifications alone might not be enough to treat high cholesterol. A person’s primary care provider or cardiologist may recommend one or more medications to help manage high cholesterol.
Statins, which block a substance the liver needs to make cholesterol, are common. Other types of drugs include cholesterol absorption inhibitors and medications for high triglycerides.
“Any medication you take can work in concert with healthy lifestyle steps that your doctor recommends,” Dr. Ahmadjee said. “It’s important for you to take medications as directed, as they can help reduce your risk for heart attack and stroke. If you’re experiencing bothersome side effects, talk with your provider.”
Dr. Ahmadjee encouraged people to consult with a health care provider and start a heart health conversation to better ensure their long-term cardiovascular health.
