Understanding your cholesterol levels can be key to maintaining your heart health and helping reduce heart disease, heart attacks and stroke. In this article, we talk with Dr. Meyer from Centra’s Heart & Vascular Institute to learn what cholesterol is, the different types of cholesterol and lifestyle changes that can promote good cholesterol for your heart health.
What is Cholesterol, and how do you test for it?
Cholesterol is a waxy fat-like substance made in the body to help build cells to make vitamins and hormones. In excess, it can lead to disease. The primary diseases that we worry about are coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke.
Cholesterol comes from two sources: the liver makes all the cholesterol you need, and the remainder of your body's cholesterol comes from the foods you eat. Foods high in saturated and trans fats can increase cholesterol.
The main way to test cholesterol is through a blood test, which would typically be completed through your bloodwork labs at your annual primary care physician appointment.
What are the two types of Cholesterol?
- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is commonly called “bad cholesterol.”
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is commonly referred to as “good cholesterol”
However, providers need to consider both numbers to understand if there is enough HDL to outweigh the LDL cholesterol. HDL helps carry excess LDL away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it is broken down and processed by the body, which is why you want the HDL to be higher. Too much LDL cholesterol can build up in the arteries and lead to blood clots forming, which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Additionally, providers will also check your number of triglycerides, which are the most common type of fat in the body, and they help store excess fat from your diet. Excess triglycerides, along with low HDL and high LDL, can increase the risk of heart disease, so it’s important to keep your triglycerides low. Providers will not only check your cholesterol numbers but also consider your lifestyle, family history, and risk factors.
What should I do if I have bad cholesterol?
Establishing a relationship with your Primary Care Physician is essential to check your cholesterol levels regularly. Lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise and focusing on a heart-healthy diet, can be key in managing bad cholesterol levels. If necessary, prescribed medications can also help lower bad cholesterol.
Dr. Meyer, with Centra’s Heart and Vascular Institute, recommends a low-fat diet that emphasizes less meat consumption and increased vegetable intake. “Bad cholesterol can be genetic, but with proper lifestyle changes and a healthy diet, patients will typically see a reduction in their LDL,” Meyer explained.
How can I prevent cholesterol issues?
Dr. Meyer suggests that one of the most important preventative measures is eating a healthy diet with low saturated fats. The American Heart Association recommends the Mediterranean diet, which focuses on fruits, vegetables, fish, and unsaturated fats like olive oil, avocados and nuts.
Exercising at least 30 minutes daily can also play a significant role in maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.
Watch HERE to see our entire conversation with Dr. Meyer about understanding cholesterol.