High Cholesterol Specialist

What is high cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy substance made by your liver to help your body build new cells. You have two types of cholesterol: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). 

LDL cholesterol travels through your bloodstream, leaving deposits for your body to use to make new cells. HDL cholesterol also travels through your blood, but it collects any unused LDL cholesterol, carrying it back to your liver. 

You develop high cholesterol when you have either too much LDL cholesterol or too little HDL cholesterol. As a result, the waxy deposits remain in your blood vessels, creating a plaque that hardens your arteries and reduces the space available for blood to flow.

What causes high cholesterol?

Your body makes all of the cholesterol it needs. However, the standard American diet includes too many foods that are high in fat and cholesterol, which increases the amount of cholesterol in your body. Other factors that increase your risk of high cholesterol include obesity, smoking, and leading a sedentary lifestyle. 

Your family medical history also affects your chances of developing high cholesterol. For example, even if you make healthy choices most of the time, you could be genetically prone to high cholesterol.

How is high cholesterol diagnosed?

High cholesterol doesn’t usually cause noticeable symptoms. The only way to evaluate your cholesterol levels is to have blood tests. If you have high cholesterol, the team at Alexander Kasatkin MD PC also uses diagnostic imaging to check your arteries for arteriosclerosis. They also evaluate your vascular function. 

How is high cholesterol treated?

The team at Alexander Kasatkin MD PC provides personalized treatment plans to lower your cholesterol and reduce your risk of cardiovascular health problems. In most cases, they combine lifestyle modifications with medication and supplements. 

For example, reducing the amount of red meat, fat, salt, and sugar in your diet can help lower your cholesterol. You should also aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise five times a week. These changes can also help you lose weight, which in turn can reduce your cholesterol levels. 

Your doctor might also prescribe medications like statins that block one of the substances your liver uses to make cholesterol, or cholesterol absorption inhibitors that limit the absorption of cholesterol in your digestive tract. 

Call Alexander Kasatkin MD PC or make an appointment online today for expert diagnosis and treatment for high cholesterol.