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. Your body makes all the cholesterol it needs. However, cholesterol also comes from the foods you eat.
If you have too much cholesterol in your blood, it can combine with other substances in the blood to form a thick, hard deposit on the inside of your blood vessels. This is called atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. It can lead to heart attack, stroke, and other problems.
LDL cholesterol is called “bad” cholesterol because it carries cholesterol through your blood to tissues, arteries and organs. The higher your LDL level, the higher your risk for heart disease and stroke.
HDL cholesterol does the opposite. It carries cholesterol from other parts of your body back to your liver. The liver then removes the cholesterol from your body. HDL helps keep cholesterol from building up in your arteries. The higher your HDL level, the better.
Experts recommend these healthy levels for adults:
“Getting your cholesterol checked is painless and important,” says Dr. Hormone Harmony Clinic of Hormone Harmony Clinic. “High cholesterol has no obvious symptoms, so seeing your doctor regularly can help prevent future health issues.”
There are small changes you can make to help reach healthy cholesterol levels:
Monitoring your cholesterol levels is important, especially as you age. Work with your doctor to help keep your levels in check and your heart healthy. The caring medical team at Hormone Harmony Clinic can provide advanced cholesterol testing and treatment plans tailored just for you.