Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in the bloodstream that your body uses to build cell walls and perform other important functions, according to the American Heart Association. However, too much cholesterol in the bloodstream can build up in your blood vessels, restricting the blood flow to your heart and brain, which puts you at higher risk for heart disease and stroke. If you have high cholesterol, it is important to develop a strategy for managing it to improve your health.
Good vs. Bad Cholesterol
High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, is considered good cholesterol because it carries excess cholesterol back to your liver to be processed out of your body, which helps control your overall levels of cholesterol, says the Mayo Clinic. High levels of HDL appear to actually lower your risk for heart attack and stroke, notes the American Heart Association. Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, is considered bad cholesterol, because it can cause deposits to build along the walls of your blood vessels. Understanding how to raise your body’s good cholesterol and lower the bad cholesterol levels is necessary to developing a strategy to manage your cholesterol.
Weight Loss
Maintaining a healthy weight is an essential part of managing your cholesterol. Regular exercise not only helps maintain your weight, but also increases HDL levels, according to the Mayo Clinic. In addition, being overweight leads to high blood pressure. High blood pressure puts additional strain on your blood vessels, which can cause cholesterol fatty deposits to accumulate, notes the Mayo Clinic. The American Heart Association suggests at least 30 minutes of vigorous exercise at least five days per week to maintain healthy weight and blood pressure.
Lifestyle
Making healthy lifestyle choices is also very important to managing your cholesterol. For example, smoking cigarettes not only leads to high blood pressure, but can also damage your blood vessels, causing a dangerous build-up of fatty deposits. Smoking may also lower your levels of HDL, or good cholesterol, notes the Mayo Clinic. Choose a healthy diet to manage your cholesterol as well. Foods high in saturated and trans fats can contribute to high LDL levels, so it is important to look for these ingredients when developing a strategy for managing cholesterol, even if the label says low fat or low cholesterol, notes the American Heart Association.
Testing Cholesterol Levels
The only way to assess your cholesterol levels is to have your cholesterol tested by a physician. In fact, many people make the erroneous assumption that they must have healthy cholesterol levels because they are thin says the American Heart Association, but anyone can have high cholesterol. Everyone over the age of 20 should have their cholesterol levels tested by a physician at least once every five years, says the Mayo Clinic. If you have certain high risk factors, such as diabetes or a family history of high blood pressure, your physician may want to test your cholesterol levels more frequently. In addition, your physician will decide if you need prescription medications to help you manage your cholesterol levels.
