Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance present in your bloodstream. It is transmitted through the bloodstream by special carriers called liproproteins. There are two types of lipoproteins: low-density liproproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL). LDL is called the "bad" cholesterol because it transports most of the cholesterol in the bloodstream. If the concentration of LDL becomes too high, it can build up in the arteries, slowing the blood flow to the brain and increasing the likelihood for heart disease. Controlling your cholesterol, particularly LDL, is imperative to maintaining good health. Keeping your cholesterol at a healthy level reduces your risk for a heart attack, heart disease and stroke.
Step 1
Have your cholesterol tested by your doctor annually to better understand how your body processes cholesterol and the distribution of LDL and HDL in your body. This is typically done with a blood test.
Step 2
Follow a healthy diet. Foods high in fiber, fruits, vegetables and whole grains are low in cholesterol. Avoid fatty meats, and processed and fried foods whenever possible. Ask your doctor how much cholesterol you can take in to maintain a healthy level. Use his guidance to make better choices at the grocery store or when eating away from home.
Step 3
Get a moderate amount of physical activity and exercise. Exercising increases your blood flow, decreasing the likelihood cholesterol will accumulate in your arteries. Aim for 20 to 30 minutes per day on most days.
Step 4
Maintain a healthy weight. Gaining weight contributes to the amount of cholesterol your body retains. Similar to your heart, the more weight your body has to carry, the harder it has to work to process substances such as cholesterol. If it's not up to the challenge, the cholesterol will accumulate, thus increasing your chances of developing heart disease.
Step 5
Take a prescription medication to help manage your cholesterol levels if lifestyle changes don't keep it at healthy levels. Biologically or genetically, some people's bodies don't process cholesterol properly or in a timely manner. In this case, medical intervention is necessary to control their cholesterol.
