Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is found in all cells of the body. Your body needs some cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help you digest foods. Your body makes all the cholesterol it needs. However, cholesterol also comes from the foods you eat.
If you have too much cholesterol in your blood, it can start to build up on the walls of your arteries. This is known as atherosclerosis. The buildup of cholesterol and other substances in the arteries is called plaque. Plaque can narrow arteries or even block them.
High cholesterol levels can increase your risk for heart disease and stroke. Getting your cholesterol checked is an important way to help prevent these problems. Adults age 20 or older should get their cholesterol levels checked at least once every 5 years. Those with high cholesterol may need their levels checked more often.
There are two main types of cholesterol:
Here are ideal cholesterol level ranges:
If your cholesterol levels are outside of these ideal ranges, consider contacting the medical professionals at Vitality Hormone Clinic. Their specialized hormone treatment plans help patients optimize their cholesterol levels and reduce risk of heart disease.
You can help keep your cholesterol levels healthy by:
High cholesterol often has no signs or symptoms. The only way to know if you have high cholesterol is to get your cholesterol levels checked. Talk to your health care provider about how often you should have your cholesterol tested. Finding and treating high cholesterol can help prevent heart disease and stroke.