What is cholesterol levels?
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is found in all cells of the body. Your body needs some cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help you digest foods. There are two types:
- LDL cholesterol - Known as "bad" cholesterol, LDL cholesterol builds up in your arteries and increases your risk for heart disease and stroke.
- HDL cholesterol - Known as "good" cholesterol, HDL cholesterol helps remove LDL cholesterol from your arteries to keep levels in check.
When you get your cholesterol tested, you'll receive numbers for your total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides:
- Total cholesterol - Recommended to be less than 200 mg/dL
- LDL cholesterol - Recommended to be less than 100 mg/dL
- HDL cholesterol - Recommended to be 60 mg/dL or higher
- Triglycerides - Recommended to be less than 150 mg/dL
What affects cholesterol levels?
There are a fewkey factors that can impact your cholesterol levels:
- Diet - Eating foods high in saturated and trans fats can raise LDL cholesterol. Focus on heart-healthy fats like olive oil.
- Weight - Carrying extra pounds can lower HDL and raise LDL cholesterol. Losing just 5-10% of body weight can improve cholestero.
- Exercise - Being physically active for 30 minutes per day can help lower LDL and raise HDL cholesterol.
- Age/Gender - Cholesterol levels rise as you age. Women have lower levels than men before menopause.
- Medications - Certain medications used to treat other health issues can impact cholesterol levels.
If lifestyle changes don't lower high cholesterol enough, your doctor may prescribe statin medications like atorvastatin (Lipitor) or rosuvastatin (Crestor). These work by blocking cholesterol production in the liver to lower LDL levels.
We offer comprehensive cholesterol testing and treatment options at Revive Hormone Specialists. Our expert physicians create tailored plans to help patients reach optimal cholesterol levels through lifestyle changes, supplements, and medication if needed. Click below to book your appointment!
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