You may have heard that having high cholesterol raises your risk for cardiac disease. But what precisely is cholesterol, and why is it so closely tied to heart health? Keep reading to learn more about how high cholesterol is connected to heart disease and what you can do to lower your risk.
What is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy substance similar to fat that is found in your blood. Your body needs some degree of cholesterol to produce healthy cells, but too much of a good thing can lead to problems.
Cholesterol doesn’t dissolve in blood. Instead, it migrates through your bloodstream in packets called lipoproteins. Humans have two main types:
- LDL (bad) cholesterol — LDL carries cholesterol to your arteries. When you have excessive LDL cholesterol, it can accumulate in your artery walls in the form of plaque. This narrows your arteries and raises your risk of suffering a stroke or heart attack.
- HDL (good) cholesterol — HDL latches onto any extra cholesterol and shuttles it back to your liver so it doesn’t build up in your arteries. Higher HDL levels might help reduce your risk for cardiac disease.
High Cholesterol and Heart Disease Risk
Excessive LDL cholesterol is a big risk factor for cardiac disease for a number of reasons. That plaque buildup in your arteries that happens when LDL cholesterol is too high can restrict the amount of blood flowing to your organs, including your heart.
If an artery becomes completely blocked, you can have a heart attack or stroke. The higher the amount of LDL cholesterol, the more risky it is for you.
That’s because more LDL cholesterol can stick to artery walls and form plaque. Over time, high LDL cholesterol can cause damage and inflammation in your arteries, speeding up the plaque buildup process.
Lowering high LDL cholesterol, even by a small amount, can reduce your risk for heart attack and stroke. So, keeping your LDL cholesterol in a healthy range is important for protecting your heart. Work with your doctor on the best ways to do this.
Risk Factors
A variety of factors can cause high cholesterol and put you at increased risk for heart disease. Major contributors include:
Diet — Eating lots of saturated and trans fats in foods such as red meat, full-fat dairy, and many fried or baked goods raises cholesterol. Excessive dietary cholesterol in foods such as eggs and shellfish can also be a problem.- Inactivity — Not getting regular physical activity can lead to increased cholesterol levels as well as weight gain, which also raises your cholesterol.
- Obesity — Carrying excess weight stresses your heart and blood vessels. It also often means higher LDL and lower HDL cholesterol.
- Genetics — Your genes have a role to play in how your body produces and handles cholesterol. Familial hypercholesterolemia, for example, is a form of high cholesterol you inherit.
- Smoking — The chemicals in cigarette smoke slash your HDL cholesterol and elevate your risk for artery damage, quickly increasing plaque.
- Diabetes — If you suffer from diabetes, there’s a greater chance that you will have high cholesterol levels. Poor blood sugar control seems to impact cholesterol negatively.
- High blood pressure — There’s often a link between hypertension and high cholesterol. Uncontrolled hypertension also accelerates artery damage.
Lifestyle Changes to Lower Cholesterol
One of the most effective ways to reduce cholesterol levels is through heart-healthy lifestyle habits:
- Focus on a nutritious, well-balanced diet. Eat plenty of plant-based foods while choosing lean proteins. Also, cut down on trans and saturated fats, salt, sugar, and processed foods.
- Increase omega-3 fatty acids from fatty fish, flaxseed, walnuts, and canola oil. They help reduce LDL and elevate HDL cholesterol.
- Get regular exercise for about half an hour most days of the week. Activities such as fast walking, swimming, or even dancing all count.
- Aim for a healthy weight. Excess weight directly impacts cholesterol levels as well as other heart risks.
- Quit smoking to boost HDL and reduce your cardiovascular risks.
These simple yet effective steps, along with any other diet or exercise program recommended by your doctor, can get your high cholesterol under control and cut your chances of heart disease.
Medical Treatment
If lifestyle measures aren’t enough, several types of medication can be used to treat high cholesterol:
Statins are usually the first choice. These drugs reduce the production of LDL cholesterol in your liver and include atorvastatin (Lipitor), simvastatin (Zocor), and rosuvastatin (Crestor).- Other cholesterol absorption inhibitors, such as ezetimibe (Zetia), also reduce LDL levels.
- PCSK9 inhibitors are potent LDL-lowering injections for stubborn high cholesterol, which include evolocumab (Repatha) and alirocumab (Praluent).
- Niacin, fibrates, and bile acid sequestrants are older cholesterol medications, but your doctor might still prescribe them if necessary.
Your doctor will consider your particular health profile, risk factors, and LDL levels when prescribing medication. Proper treatment for any contributing conditions, such as diabetes, is also important.
Fight High Cholesterol with Help from Imperial Center Family Medicine
While high cholesterol seems inextricably linked to cardiac disease, it’s luckily very treatable. Lifestyle changes can help you lower your high cholesterol and reduce your chances of heart problems down the road.
If you do require medication, be sure to take them as prescribed. Also, continue seeing your doctor regularly to track your levels and make any changes that might be needed.
Imperial Center Family Medicine has extensive experience helping patients manage high cholesterol and related cardiac risks.
Our team of caring healthcare providers will work with you on a plan tailored to your needs. Contact us today at 919-873-4437 or online so we can start fighting your high cholesterol and helping protect you from heart disease.