There are a lot of important numbers in regards to chronic conditions that you need to know during your lifetime. One of them is your cholesterol number. Your body uses cholesterol to make hormones and digestive fluids. It is also used in making vitamin D. The proper amount of cholesterol helps the body organs function properly.

Cholesterol is found in blood and cells. It is a waxy substance produced by your liver and found in some of the foods you ingest. Cholesterol bundles, called lipoproteins, travel in your blood. There are two types: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL).

LDL is also called the “bad” cholesterol because it forms fatty, waxy deposits called plaque. It can build up in the arteries and cause a variety of serious health issues including stroke, heart problems, brain blockages, gallstones and poor blood flow.

A blood test allows the doctor to check your cholesterol levels. This test is called a lipid panel or profile. Your total cholesterol will be reported, along with the breakdown of LDL and HDL cholesterols. Triglycerides, a type of blood fat, will also be part of the report.

High Cholesterol Treatment Options

Treatment for high cholesterol often involves lifestyle changes along with medicines, depending on your risk factors. In some instances, changes like eating a healthy diet and a regular exercise routine can be enough to resolve the problem.

Medicines recommended for treating high cholesterol include:

• Statins – These medicines block the substance in the liver responsible for making cholesterol. The liver removes cholesterol from the blood, and the statins can also help reverse coronary artery disease for some individuals by assisting the body in reabsorbing cholesterol from the deposits on the artery walls.
• Bile-acid-binding resins – These medications bind to bile acids, thereby reducing cholesterol. This causes the liver to use excess cholesterol to produce more bile acids, thus reducing blood cholesterol levels.
• Cholesterol absorption inhibitors – Sometimes used in conjunction with a statin, this drug limits the absorption of cholesterols from food in the small intestine.
• Injectable medications – These newer drugs help the liver absorb more LDL cholesterol.

Your doctor will assess your risk factors and medical history and recommend a course of treatment that best suits your circumstances.

Contact our office today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Michael.