I’m Having an EKG Soon. What Should I Do First?
An EKG can help your doctor diagnose or rule out health problems that may need treatment. Here’s how you can prepare for your upcoming test.
Why Monitoring and Managing Your Cholesterol Matter
High cholesterol is a condition you might not realize you have until it causes complications or your doctor detects it. That’s because it doesn’t typically cause symptoms, which is why it’s so important to monitor your cholesterol.
Family medicine experts Clifton Etienne, MD, Michael Cavanagh, MD, and Flora Brewington, MD, can help you monitor and manage your cholesterol levels to prevent complications associated with high cholesterol at Westminster Family Healthcare in Westminster, Colorado.
For National Cholesterol Education Month, we’re highlighting the importance of monitoring and managing your cholesterol. Here’s everything you need to know about why it matters.
Understanding cholesterol
Cholesterol is a wax-like substance inside your cells. It produces vitamin D, hormones, and bile acids, all of which your body needs. Your liver naturally produces cholesterol, but you can also get it from eating meat, eggs, and dairy.
There are two types of cholesterol: high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). HDL cholesterol is beneficial, but LDL cholesterol can build up in your blood vessels and cause damage.
If you’re diagnosed with high cholesterol, it means you have too much LDL in your bloodstream.
Complications of high cholesterol
High cholesterol, especially when it persists over time, can damage your heart and blood vessels by causing plaque to build up inside them. The resulting plaque buildup is a condition called atherosclerosis, and it makes your blood vessels tighter and can block them.
Atherosclerosis can make your circulatory system less efficient, leading to serious complications. A few of the most common are:
High blood pressure (hypertension)
High blood pressure happens when your blood places too much force on the inside of your blood vessels. This can occur when your blood vessels narrow because of atherosclerosis.
Coronary artery disease (CAD)
CAD is the most common form of heart disease, and it occurs when atherosclerosis reduces blood flow to your heart. This weakens your heart and can eventually lead to heart failure or a heart attack.
Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
PAD occurs when atherosclerosis constricts arteries in your arms and legs. Leg cramps that arise when you start moving are a major sign of PAD. PAD and CAD are closely related and often occur together.
How to monitor your cholesterol levels
The only way to monitor your cholesterol levels is with blood tests. Our team at Westmed Family Healthcare can provide cholesterol tests using our in-office laboratory. These tests can be a part of your annual wellness visits.
If you’ve been diagnosed with high cholesterol or are at a high risk for the condition, our team may recommend regular cholesterol screenings. Screenings track your levels and help you identify high cholesterol as early as possible.
How to manage your cholesterol
In many cases, you can manage your cholesterol with a few easy diet and lifestyle changes. Our team might suggest that you:
- Stop smoking
- Eat less saturated and trans fat
- Eat more fruits, veggies, whole grains, and healthy fats
- Exercise more frequently
Some people need to take medications to lower their cholesterol, like statins, alongside changes like these.
High cholesterol can stem from diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and thyroid issues. If other conditions contribute to high cholesterol, our team can treat them to reduce the impact.
Get in touch
Do you have more questions about high cholesterol? To learn more about managing and monitoring your cholesterol, call our office today to book an appointment or schedule one online anytime.
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