According to the American Heart Association (AHA), nearly 95 million adults in the United States suffer from high cholesterol, an essential form of lipid (fat).
A simple blood test reveals the amount of cholesterol circulating through your blood. High levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and/or low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) may indicate you’re at risk for heart disease.
Dr. Haala Hai and Dr. Afroze Hai at Healthy Horizons Clinic in Pasadena, Texas, recommend checking your cholesterol levels at least once a year, and more if you’re trying to control unhealthy levels.
Cholesterol helps our bodies create cell membranes and certain hormones, including vitamin D. We obtain cholesterol from the food we eat or our liver. While some cholesterol is necessary, too much can wreak havoc on our health.
To test your cholesterol, Dr. Haala Hai or Dr. Afroze Hai draw a sample of your blood, which we send to the lab for results. They measure cholesterol levels in milligrams (mg) of cholesterol per deciliter (dL) of blood. General guidelines for healthy individuals include:
HDL helps carry away the more dangerous LDL cholesterol to keep your arteries clear. We consider 40 mg/dL and above healthy for men and 50 mg/dL and above good for women.
An overabundance of LDL cholesterol may cause plaque to build up in your arteries, reducing blood flow. Should a piece of this plaque break off, it can lead to stroke or heart attack. We generally consider LDL below 100 mg/dL optimal. For folks with a history of Diabetes or Cardiovascular disease, this goal is 70 mg/dL.
Our bodies convert unneeded calories from food into fats called triglycerides. When we consume too many calories, especially high-carbohydrates, our triglycerides may range too high. It’s optimal for triglycerides to fall below 150 mg/dL. Anything above 200 mg/dL is high.
Most lipid panel blood tests calculate these three, as well as your total amount of cholesterol.
Our doctors consider a range of factors to decide whether your cholesterol falls within a healthy range.
While we generally recommend yearly tests, if you already suffer from high cholesterol, heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes, it’s usually better to check more often.
When high cholesterol goes untreated, it can lead to plaque buildup in your arteries, called atherosclerosis. Other problems include:
High cholesterol may also spike your blood pressure by triggering inflammation, which releases hormones that constrict blood vessels, making your heart work harder.
Should your cholesterol levels remain high, despite lifestyle adjustments, we may recommend medication, such as statins that block your liver from producing too much cholesterol.
Our team also recommends certain lifestyle changes, such as:
Even a few added pounds can increase your bad cholesterol. We suggest you:
You may also want to try whey protein, found in many dairy products or supplements, which has been shown to reduce LDL and total cholesterol levels.
Yearly blood tests, including cholesterol, a complete blood count (CBC), metabolic panel, and more, help us uncover underlying conditions, such as high cholesterol or high blood sugar, which may lead to diabetes.
If you’re ready to check your cholesterol levels, book a yearly exam with blood tests, or discuss other health concerns, simply call or schedule an appointment at Healthy Horizons Clinic through our online booking feature today.
