High Cholesterol Made Simple
If you or a loved one have recently been diagnosed with high cholesterol, processing this new condition can be very confusing. However, thanks to the help of Primary Care Centers of Texas, you can define what high cholesterol is and formulate a plan to navigate life with this new condition.
Table of Contents
Cholesterol Defined
Everyone has cholesterol in their body. According to the CDC, cholesterol has a consistency similar to that of fat cells with a wax-like texture. Cholesterol is known to be a vital function of the body because it produces hormones and helps in the digestion of fatty food. In simple terms, cholesterol is divided into two components, good cholesterol (HDL) and bad cholesterol (LDL). Broadly speaking HDL is protective and LDL is disease-causing. Luckily there are very effective medications for lipid (fats in the blood) problems!
What is High Cholesterol?
High cholesterol is a very common ailment in the realm of internal medicine. There are many serious long-term consequences to uncontrolled cholesterol levels. Patients who have left their high cholesterol unchecked have been known to experience: heart attacks, heart failure, strokes, and circulation problems. The consequences of not correcting cholesterol levels are long-term but the disease processes caused are mostly non-reversible. This preventive treatment is highly important.
The two main lipids that cause disease processes are cholesterol and triglycerides. Although triglycerides do contribute to atherosclerosis they are considered less important compared to cholesterol. Cholesterol, like triglycerides, is an essential constituent of the blood and organs but it is the abnormally high level that causes the disease process.
What Causes High Cholesterol?
Reasons for high lipids include lifestyle factors such as being overweight and physical inactivity. High cholesterol and lipids can also be caused by different hereditary factors. Furthermore, there are some disease processes that cause high lipid levels in the blood that include diabetes, thyroid problems, kidney diseases, etc. The prominent way lipid problems affect bodily organs is by causing Atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is what is commonly referred to as the “clogging of arteries.”
I Know What High Cholesterol is, How Can I Manage it?
Treatment of chronic illness always starts with lifestyle modification. Including regular diet and exercise, plus avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol consumption always help to reduce complications due to high cholesterol.
Having a combination of the aforementioned lifestyle changes and care from Primary Care Centers of Texas will help you make positive steps in the right direction! Contact us today to schedule your appointment.
