Understanding Cholesterol

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 38 percent of adults in the United States have high cholesterol levels, putting them at risk for two of the leading causes of death; heart attack and stroke. The good news is that high cholesterol is a manageable and reversible condition. Still, it does take some understanding of what cholesterol is, how it works in the body, and how to reduce your cholesterol intake.

What is Cholesterol?

There’s a misconception that cholesterol is bad, but it is a substance your body uses to produce healthy cells. Cholesterol also plays a role in making hormones, vitamin D, and substances needed to digest foods. Your body makes all the cholesterol it needs to perform these functions, but you also get cholesterol from various food sources such as eggs, meat, and cheese.

If you have a diet high in animal sources, it may result in high cholesterol levels. When cholesterol levels are too high, it can form plaque, which sticks to your artery walls. Plaque forming on the artery walls can lead to various health conditions such as coronary artery disease, heart attack, or stroke.

Types of Cholesterol

There are two main types of cholesterol: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL): LDL is what people often refer to as the “bad” cholesterol. High LDL levels lead to health concerns such as heart attack and stroke.
High-density lipoprotein (HDL): HDL is known as “good” cholesterol. This type of cholesterol helps move unused LDL to the liver, where it’s flushed from the body.

High LDL does not have any symptoms, so it’s vital to have your cholesterol levels checked by your doctor at least every four years, according to the CDC. If you have heart disease, diabetes, or a family history of high cholesterol, you may want to have it checked more frequently.

Tips for Managing Your Cholesterol

Sometimes people inherit high cholesterol levels, but most often, it’s from lifestyle choices such as a person’s diet or activity levels. Changing your diet, exercise routine, and other habits can help prevent and treat high cholesterol.

Quit smoking. Smoking cigarettes increases your risk of high cholesterol and many other conditions, like lung cancer. Since smoking is addictive, don't hesitate to seek professional help.
Maintain a healthy diet. Since your body produces all the cholesterol it needs, you want to be conscious about the cholesterol you consume. Avoid foods with high levels of saturated fats, such as cheeses, red meats, and dairy.
Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity can lead to higher LDL cholesterol levels because body fat slows down your body’s ability to remove excess LDL cholesterol from the blood. Try to find a workout you enjoy and incorporate more fresh produce and lean meats into your diet.
Find healthy ways to manage stress. There is a correlation between high stress and high cholesterol. If you suffer from chronic stress, talk to your doctor about ways to manage your stress, such as meditation or exercise.
Avoid excessively drinking alcohol. Like smoking, excessive amounts of alcohol may increase your cholesterol. Depending on your overall health, you may consider reducing your alcohol intake or quitting altogether.

Working with Visiting Angels

If you’re an older adult struggling with high cholesterol or a related condition and need assistance at home, the team at Visiting Angels can help. Our team of professional caregivers can help prepare healthy meals, provide medication reminders, or transport you to doctor’s appointments. Caregivers can also help with light housekeeping, personal grooming, and mobility assistance.

Our Atlanta East office serves those in Atlanta, Buckhead, Decatur, Vinings, and the surrounding Georgia communities. If you’d like to learn more about our services, call 404.358.5877 or send us a message online.