Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance produced by the liver and also found in some of the foods we eat. It's present in every cell in the body and helps make hormones andvitamin D(which is actually a hormone) as well as build cells. There are three types of cholesterol you need ...
is the type that tends to deposit on the walls of the arteries. White blood cells combine with the LDL cholesterol, forming artery-narrowing plaque, which restricts blood flow. The optimal level of LDL cholesterol for most people is 100 mg/dL or lower. If you have heart disease, you may ...
Eating a healthy dietto lower cholesterol. Increasing physical activity. Getting adequate sleep. If you have high cholesterol, your doctor may prescribe cholesterol-lowering medications. Statins, such as Lipitor and Crestor, cholesterol-absorption inhibitors, and bile acid-binding resins are some of the...
For nearly four decades, we have relied on medical myths to guide us in our attempts to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease. We have been told to reduce our cholesterol, saturated-fat intake, and to take lipid-lowering medications. Unfortunately, these recommendations have been ...
Other risk factors you cannot control include age (risk increases as we age), gender (women's risk for high cholesterol increases post menopause), and family history. Cholesterol and Gender Women generally have higher levels of HDL, or "good," cholesterol because the female hormone estrogen tend...
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance. Your body uses cholesterol to make hormones and new cells, and to protect nerves. Cholesterol is made by your body. It also comes from certain foods you eat, such as meat and dairy products. Your healthcare provider can help you set goals for ...
You have high cholesterol if any numbers are out of the normal range. There’s plenty you can do right away to manage the problem. In addition to taking cholesterol-lowering medication that your doctor prescribes, you can improve your lifestyle. Here’s how: ...
If you have high cholesterol, it is best to talk to your doctor about taking medications. In many cases, they can make the lifestyle changes you are making more effective while lowering health risks. Having high cholesterol is a warning sign that your body may need some extra love and ...
High cholesterol may lead to atherosclerosis, chest pain, angina, heart attack, and stroke. How high is too high? Generally, your doctor will look at total cholesterol levels, HDL levels, and LDL levels. Your doctor may also examine the level of triglycerides. If you have multiple risk ...
Genetic testing to determine if you have familial hypercholesterolemia The majority of people with high levels of LDL don’t have hereditary high cholesterol. But if you have a family history of heart disease or a family history of familial hypercholesterolemia, you might benefit from genetic testing...