Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is found in all cells of the body. Your body needs some cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help you digest foods. There are two types:
When we talk about cholesterol levels, we are referring to the amount of cholesterol in your blood. Doctors use the following guideline levels when evaluating risk for heart disease:
High cholesterol usually doesn't have any symptoms. The only way to know if your cholesterol levels are healthy is to get regular blood tests. Factors that can influence cholesterol levels include diet, weight, exercise, age, gender, genetics, and underlying health conditions.
If you have high cholesterol, steps you can take to improve levels include:
Making lifestyle changes can go a long way toward lowering cholesterol. But for some people, cholesterol-lowering medications may also be needed to reach target levels.
At Optimal Hormone Wellness Center, our physicians specialize in customized treatments to help patients optimize cholesterol and other heart health markers. We take a holistic approach focused on diet, exercise, stress management and hormone balance in addition to medication when needed. Contact us today for a consultation to review your cholesterol panel and create a personalized plan.