High Cholesterol 

 

High cholesterol can be one of the warning signs that something needs to change if you want to enjoy good long-term health. If you’ve got high cholesterol, your doctor at Dalewood Medical Center in Woodbridge, Virginia, can work with you to create a healthy but still easy-to-follow eating plan that can help lower your numbers. Book your appointment with the online scheduling tool or call the office now. 

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High Cholesterol Q & A 

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What are the dangers of high cholesterol? 

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High cholesterol can cause serious problems for your general health. When you've got high cholesterol, plaque — which is mainly made up of cholesterol, fat, and cellular waste — builds up inside your arteries. 

This plaque buildup means that it's harder for your blood to move through your arteries. When your blood can't move through your arteries at its normal rate, your brain and heart can't function properly. This can potentially lead to a stroke or heart attack. 

Am I at risk for high cholesterol? 

There are several risk factors for high cholesterol, including: 

• Family history of high cholesterol 

• Diet that's high in fat, sugar, and cholesterol 

• Age — 45 or older for men; 55 and older for women 

• Sedentary lifestyle 

• Obesity 

• Smoking 

• Diabetes 

During your annual physicals at Dalewood Medical Center, your doctor will make note of your risk factors, and may perform a blood test to check your cholesterol levels if you're at risk. 

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What are high-density lipoproteins (HDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and triglycerides? 

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High-density lipoproteins (HDL) is good cholesterol. Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) is bad cholesterol. Your HDL pulls LDL out of your blood. Triglycerides are the harmful fats in your blood. 

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What are high cholesterol levels? 

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A good combined cholesterol score (including HDL, LDL, and triglycerides) is under 200. You have high cholesterol if your cholesterol score is 240 or more. If your cholesterol score is 200-239, you have borderline high cholesterol. 

How can I lower my cholesterol level? 

If you have high cholesterol, your Dalewood Medical Center doctor can help you lower it to a healthy range. Often, you can lower your cholesterol levels with dietary and lifestyle changes. This can include: 

• Eating a healthy diet that's low in cholesterol and trans fats 

• Consistently monitoring your cholesterol levels 

• Avoiding alcohol 

• Losing excess weight 

• Exercising regularly 

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If you're unable to achieve healthy cholesterol levels after implementing the lifestyle changes recommended by your doctor, you may need cholesterol-reducing medicine. You'll work together with your Dalewood Medical Center physician to beat high cholesterol and get back to your best health again. 

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Book your appointment through the online scheduling tool or by phone today.