High Cholesterol Treatment in Tarzana, CA
Cholesterol may seem like it's a bad thing to have in your body, but it's not. Your body needs cholesterol to help your cells function correctly. But if you have too much, you raise your risk for serious health problems like heart disease — which could lead to a heart attack or stroke .
Are you at risk for high cholesterol? Find out by calling (424) 365-1800 or contact Vitality Integrative Medicine online today.
Heart Attack & High Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a component of the fats in your blood (lipids). When there is too much cholesterol in your body, these waxy fats clump together along the tubes that carry blood through your body. This can make it difficult for blood to flow through your body and can make it hard for your heart to get enough oxygen.
If enough cholesterol sticks in an area, it can completely block arteries and cut off blood flow to important organs like the heart. This is what causes a heart attack.
What Causes of High Cholesterol?
In some cases, you may have been born with a family history of high cholesterol. That can significantly raise your risk of developing the problem. If you have a parent or sibling who developed heart disease before the age of 55, you could be at higher risk too.
The good news is though, that most cases of high cholesterol come from lifestyle choices that can be changed—so you can lower your cholesterol and reduce your chances of developing complications.
Here are common causes of high cholesterol you can change:
- Smoking
- Obesity
- High fat diet
- High blood pressure
- Lack of exercise
- Diabetes
High Cholesterol Diagnosis
Testing for high cholesterol is as easy as drawing blood. You should not eat or drink anything but water 9-12 hours before your test for the most accurate results. The test to check your cholesterol levels is called a lipid panel or lipid profile . This test looks at the different components of lipids in your blood including:
- HDL cholesterol
- LDL cholesterol
- Total cholesterol
- Triglycerides
Your total cholesterol numbers should be 200 or below. Any number greater than 240 is considered high. HDL, LDL and triglycerides each have their own values and expected ranges. Your healthcare provider will talk with you about each of these when your results are back.
High Cholesterol Treatment
Your provider will likely treat high cholesterol with medication. There are several drugs available that can treat your total cholesterol or one of its components. You should also follow a low-fat diet, exercise if you haven't before and try to lose weight if needed. Always remember to ask your provider if it's okay to begin a new diet or exercise plan before you start.
Your provider will want to monitor your cholesterol levels regularly. Follow his or her recommendations on how often you should have it checked.
Learn more about high cholesterol today. Call (424) 365-1800 or contact Vitality Integrative Medicine online.
Vitality Integrative Medicine
Address
4849 Van Nuys BlvdSuite 104
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
(424) 365-1800
www.vitalityintegrative.com
Hours
Mon:
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Tue:
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Wed:
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thu:
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Fri:
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sat:
8:00 am - 12:00 pm