What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance made in the liver and found in certain animal-based foods such as dairy products, eggs and meat.
Your body’s cells need cholesterol in order to function properly. The body uses cholesterol to produce hormones, vitamin D and bile acids that help digest fat. The body only needs a small amount of cholesterol to function properly.
What are lipoproteins?
Cholesterol travels through the blood attached to a protein call a lipoprotein. Lipoproteins are classified in three different levels; high, low or very low density. The classification depends on how much protein there is in the blood in relation to fat.
- High Density or HDL is “good” cholesterol.
- Low Density or LDL, is “bad” cholesterol.
- Very Low Density or Triglycerides; A high triglyceride level, along with high LDL increases your risk of having a heart attack.
Why is it important to have your cholesterol checked regularly?
If you are at risk of developing high cholesterol, it is important to know your risk factors and to have your cholesterol checked regularly. High cholesterol can lead to the development of heart disease.
Risk factors include:
- Female gender
- Age: Men 45 and older; women 55 and older
- Family history
- Poor Diet
- Overweight
- Little to no physical activity/exercise
What can be done to reduce the risk of developing heart disease?
To help reduce your risk of developing heart disease you should eat low cholesterol foods, quit smoking, exercise and take any cholesterol medication prescribed by your doctor.
For more information, please talk to your doctor.
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