Peak TRT and Wellness
What is High Cholesterol?
You have probably heard about the dangers of high cholesterol, but what does that mean? Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is made by your liver and can be found in your blood vessels, but not all cholesterol is bad for you. In fact, cholesterol is necessary for your body to function normally.
There are two types of cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, and high-density lipoprotein, or HDL. LDL cholesterol is sometimes known as “bad cholesterol” and HDL is called “good cholesterol.” LDL cholesterol hardens and narrows your arteries as it builds up. HDL cholesterol moves excess cholesterol into your liver.
It is important to know what your cholesterol levels are and to manage them effectively if you have high levels of LDL cholesterol. At PEAK TRT and Wellness, we can check your cholesterol and work with you to create a personalized treatment plan if it is too high.
Genetics, Lifestyle and High Cholesterol
In some cases, the causes of high cholesterol may be outside of your control. You may have a genetic tendency toward high cholesterol, and in this case, lifestyle changes may do little to affect the levels of LDL cholesterol in your blood.
However, your lifestyle could also contribute to higher levels of cholesterol. Factors that may increase how much bad cholesterol you have in your blood include obesity, a lack of exercise and a poor diet. Smoking may make your arteries more likely to get clogged with LDL cholesterol and reduce the amount of HDL cholesterol in your blood. You may also be at a higher risk for developing high cholesterol as you get older or if you have diabetes.
What is Considered High Cholesterol?
When people say “high cholesterol,” they generally mean high levels of LDL cholesterol. Having higher HDL numbers means a lower risk of complications associated with high LDL cholesterol. A doctor will look at your cholesterol numbers and interpret the results based on a number of factors, including your overall health. LDL cholesterol above 190 is considered very high, but you may need treatment at lower levels as well. At Low T Center, our goal is to prevent health problems, and taking steps to manage your cholesterol before it gets too high may be part of that prevention.
Diagnosing and Treating High Cholesterol at Peak TRT and Wellness
One of the dangers of high cholesterol is that there are no symptoms associated with it. However, when you come to Peak TRT and Wellness for a health assessment, we do a full blood panel, and from this, we can determine whether you should be treated for high cholesterol. This treatment is important because high cholesterol can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
At Peak TRT and Wellness, if we diagnose you with high cholesterol, we’ll work on a personalized treatment plan that will take all of your health needs into account. We may suggest lifestyle changes or medication to treat your high cholesterol.
If you are concerned about your cholesterol levels or any other aspect of your health, make an online appointment with us today at Peak TRT and Wellness. We can check your cholesterol levels and your overall health and start you on the road to greater health and well-being.