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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 7% of American children and adolescents have high total cholesterol. The physicians at Westmed Family Healthcare in Westminster, Colorado, are fully aware that high cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease and can affect people from all walks of life. The friendly specialists at Westmed Family Healthcare can help you protect your heart health and lower your cholesterol to safe, normal levels through treatments customized for you. Schedule your consultation online or call the office today.
Cholesterol is found in the fats in your blood. While your body needs cholesterol to build healthy cells, having high cholesterol can heighten your risk of getting heart disease and a range of other health complications and diseases.
There are two main types of cholesterol, and one is considered good and the other is considered bad.
Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are referred to as the bad cholesterol since they can build up in your artery walls and cause them to narrow and harden. Because of this, you don’t want excess LDL cholesterol in your blood.
High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are considered the good cholesterol because they gather excess cholesterol and return it to your liver. Having higher levels of HDL cholesterol and lower levels of LDL cholesterol is usually a good indicator that your heart is healthy.
High cholesterol can lead to a buildup of fatty deposits in your blood vessels, which can eventually stop enough blood from flowing through your arteries. When your heart doesn’t receive enough oxygen-rich blood, your risk of a heart attack increases significantly.
Furthermore, a decreased flow of blood to your brain can lead to a stroke.
There are a number of risk factors for high cholesterol, including:
High cholesterol is usually caused by unhealthy lifestyle choices over time. Fortunately, this means that in many cases it’s preventable and treatable.
High cholesterol doesn’t usually show symptoms. So if you’re concerned about your cholesterol levels, Westmed Family Healthcare’s physicians can conduct blood tests in their convenient on-site lab.
If you’re diagnosed with high cholesterol, you’ll need more frequent cholesterol screenings in the future to allow your physician to monitor your heart health and treatment.
Following a diagnosis, your doctor will help you decide the right treatment for you. High cholesterol treatments include:
The right treatments can help you manage your high cholesterol and lower your risks for disease. Call or click to schedule an appointment with Westmed Family Healthcare today.