Fats in your bloodstream are often referred to as lipids. They combine with proteins to form small packages known as lipoproteins. These packages are responsible for carrying cholesterol, a wax-like substance needed to build healthy cells, digest foods and make hormones. However, high lipid levels can lead to high blood cholesterol, which increases your risk of heart attack and stroke.
High Blood Cholesterol
High blood cholesterol is often characterized as a cholesterol level of more than 239 milliliters of cholesterol per deciliter of blood, or mg/dL. You can also develop this condition with a high level of low-density lipoproteins in your bloodstream. A reading of 160 mg/dL for low-density lipoproteins is considered high, increasing your risk of atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is the development of plaque along your arterial walls. As plaque builds up within your blood vessels, it narrows your arteries and reduces blood flow, warns the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. This makes it difficult for the heart to pump blood and could result in coronary heart disease. With this condition, the muscles of the heart can weaken, increasing the risk of heart failure and arrhythmias. If this plaque ruptures, it could completely block an artery and lead to a heart attack or stroke.
Diet
Since LDL cholesterol levels are affected by what you eat, you can often improve lipid levels by making dietary changes. The American Heart Association suggests limiting your intake of fat and cholesterol. Your saturated fat intake should consist of no more than 7 percent of your daily calories, while trans fat should make up no more than 1 percent. You should also limit your intake of dietary cholesterol to less than 200 mg. a day. It's also important to eat plenty of whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables. These foods tend to be high in fiber, which is known to lower cholesterol. Besides a well-balanced diet, you can improve your lipid levels by eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as cold-water fish, olive oil, nuts and garlic, to name only a few.
Exercise
You can also help improve your lipid levels by increasing your level of physical activity. Exercise has a direct impact on increasing high-density lipoprotein, a good form of cholesterol. Having high levels of HDL in your blood helps to remove the excess cholesterol contributing to atherosclerosis. Try to get at least 30 to 60 minutes of exercise most days of the week. Any type of exercise is of benefit, such as walking, cycling, swimming, running, cross-country skiing, kayaking or playing tennis, soccer, basketball or other competitive sports.
Medications
If changes in diet and exercise don't improve your lipid levels, your doctor will likely recommend a prescription medication to lower your blood cholesterol. Your health, age and other medical disorders often influence the choice of medication, so you may not be taking the same medication as someone you know. However, it isn't uncommon to use a combination of statins, cholesterol absorption inhibitors and bile-acid binding resins to improve your condition.
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