High cholesterol has no symptoms, so it’s possible to have it without being aware. Yet high cholesterol is dangerous: It increases your risk for heart disease and stroke, and it can also lead to a heart attack.

“People with high cholesterol are two times more likely to have heart disease than people with lower levels,” said Sue Gregory, MS, RDN, LD, outpatient dietitian with Aultman Diabetes Education. “That’s why it’s so important to see your primary care provider regularly for cholesterol screening.”

The good news is that you can control your blood cholesterol through lifestyle changes. Your provider may also prescribe medication to help keep your blood cholesterol at healthy levels.

About Blood Cholesterol

Blood cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance made by your liver. Blood cholesterol is essential for good health. Your body needs it to perform important jobs, such as making hormones and digesting fatty foods.

Most of the cholesterol in your body is made in the liver. The rest comes from animal-based foods such as meat, seafood, poultry, eggs and dairy products.

People ages 20 and older with no cardiovascular disease should have their blood cholesterol checked every five years. Depending on your results, your healthcare provider may recommend more frequent tests.

One blood test that measures cholesterol levels is a lipoprotein profile. The most important lipoproteins are:

• Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), sometimes called “bad” cholesterol.
• High-density lipoprotein (HDL), sometimes called “good” cholesterol.

High levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol may create a buildup of plaque (fatty deposits) in your arteries. This buildup can lead to a heart attack, stroke or other health problems.

High levels of “good” HDL cholesterol may lower your risk for health problems. HDL cholesterol carries cholesterol and plaque to the liver to be flushed out of the body.

Managing Cholesterol

About 86 million people ages 20 and older in the United States have high cholesterol. Many people can return their cholesterol to a healthy level through lifestyle changes.

“One way to keep harmful cholesterol in check is to choose heart-healthy foods,” Gregory said. “Decreasing the amount of unhealthy fats in your diet, while incorporating healthy fats, can help you lower your LDL cholesterol.”

Read nutrition labels to decide on the best foods for your health. Nutrition labels identify the kinds of fat in the product. Avoid unhealthy fats such as saturated fat, trans fats and cholesterol. Instead, choose foods that contain healthy fats such as monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat and omega-3 fatty acids.

Nutrition labels also list the amount of cholesterol the food contains. “You should generally try to keep cholesterol under 300 mg for the day,” Gregory said. “Persons who have risk factors for heart disease may want to keep cholesterol under 200 mg for the day.”

Lifestyle changes that can help reduce your LDL cholesterol include:

• Limiting saturated fats and eating plenty of whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
• Eating a variety of healthy nuts.
• Preparing foods with little or no salt.
• Getting regular physical activity.
• Aiming for a healthy weight.
• Quitting smoking.
• Getting enough good-quality sleep.
• Limiting alcohol.

Your healthcare provider may prescribe medications to help lower high blood cholesterol, as well. Even if your provider prescribes medications as part of your treatment plan, be sure to continue your heart-healthy lifestyle changes.

If you’re looking for a primary care provider, many of Aultman Medical Group’s practices are accepting new patients. Visit aultman.org/NewDoc to find a provider, or call the new patient hotline at 330-433-1264 for assistance with scheduling your appointment.

Sources:
American Heart Association
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
The StayWell Company, LLC