High Cholesterol

When there’s too much cholesterol in your bloodstream, it can build up inside the arteries that feed your heart, brain, and other organs. Over time, it can clog them and prevent enough blood from flowing to the heart, causing a heart attack or stroke.

What is high cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy type of fat found all through your body, including your blood. It’s made by your liver, but the foods you eat also contain cholesterol. While we all need a certain amount of cholesterol for our bodies to function normally, having too much cholesterol in your bloodstream can cause health problems.

Symptoms of high cholesterol

There aren’t any symptoms that let you know whether you have high cholesterol. Only a cholesterol test known as a lipid panel can measure the amount of cholesterol in your bloodstream.

What causes high cholesterol?

Many patients get high cholesterol from a high cholesterol diet of saturated fats and animal products, like meat and dairy. For others, high cholesterol is genetic and runs in the family. 
Other conditions can also lead to high cholesterol, such as:

• Diabetes.
• Pregnancy.
• Drugs like progestins, anabolic steroids, and corticosteroids.
• Thyroid or liver disease.
• Genetics.

Risk factors

If you have high cholesterol, several factors can lead to a greater risk of heart disease, including:

• An extremely high LDL (>190) or triglyceride level (>500), suggesting a genetic cholesterol disorder.
• A family history of heart attacks or strokes in members younger than 55.
• Diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and smoking.
• A previous history of heart attack or stroke, or peripheral arterial disease with high cholesterol or triglyceride levels.
• Fatty liver disease.
  

High cholesterol care at AHN: Why choose us?

We offer comprehensive testing and treatment options in one location at the AHN Lipid Clinic. We have an experienced team, including cardiovascular experts who are board-certified lipidologists, pharmacists, dietitians, and exercise physiologists dedicated to helping you manage your cholesterol. We also offer several international clinical trials that are testing some of the latest therapies for high cholesterol.

How we diagnose and manage high cholesterol

You’ll have a blood test known as a lipid panel to measure the amount of cholesterol in your bloodstream, including:

• Total cholesterol, which measures the overall level of cholesterol.
• LDL (bad cholesterol), which is the main source blockage.
• HDL (good cholesterol), which can help get rid of excess cholesterol.
• Triglycerides, another type of fat.
• Specialized testing for genetic cholesterol abnormalities, including elevated lipoprotein (a).
• Cascade screening in family members among those with suspected familial cholesterol disorders.
• Genetic testing using buccal swab in those with suspected genetic cholesterol abnormalities. 
  

What are considered high cholesterol levels? 

A patient with a total cholesterol count of 200 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) is considered to have high cholesterol. High cholesterol is also measured by having an LDL cholesterol count of 160 mg/dL or higher and/or a triglyceride level > 200 mg/dL, especially if the HDL levels are low. Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is extremely high cholesterol levels with LDL, typically > 190 mg/dL. It is very common, occurring in 1 in 250 individuals.

High cholesterol treatment

Our team of cardiovascular experts, dietitians, and exercise physiologists help manage your cholesterol levels and significantly reduce the long-term risk of heart disease and stroke with medications and support for healthier lifestyles.

How to lower high cholesterol

There are high cholesterol medications you can take to help lower cholesterol levels. We work closely with patients to create individual treatment plans, while acknowledging side effect of medications and drug interactions. However, making a few lifestyle changes can also help improve your cholesterol. These changes include:

Adopting a healthy diet

Reducing foods high in saturated fats, like red meat and dairy products, can help lower your LDL cholesterol. Foods to eat if you have high cholesterol include items rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish, flaxseed, and nuts. You’ll also want to increase your fruits and vegetable intake as well as soluble fiber intake with foods like oatmeal, Brussels sprouts, beans, pears, and apples. 

Exercise

Incorporating at least 30 minutes of exercise every day can help raise your HDL (good) cholesterol levels and lower your triglyceride levels. Losing weight can also help. However, the benefits of exercise are present even if you do not lose weight. 

Avoiding tobacco products

Quitting smoking and avoiding tobacco products can help improve your HDL cholesterol levels. 

Reducing alcohol consumption

Cutting down on the amount of alcohol you consume can help lower your cholesterol levels and help prevent heart disease overall. 

Contact us

Call (412) DOCTORS (412) 362-8677 or request an appointment to have your cholesterol checked or for help managing your high cholesterol.