A waxy molecule called cholesterol is present in your blood. Although your body needs cholesterol to create healthy cells, having too much of it can increase your chance of developing heart disease.
You can form fatty deposits in your blood vessels if you have high cholesterol. Over time, these deposits thicken and restrict the amount of blood that can pass through your arteries. These deposits can occasionally unexpectedly separate and create a clot that results in a heart attack or stroke.
Although high cholesterol can be inherited, it's usually brought on by poor lifestyle choices, making it both curable and preventive. In some cases, medication as well as a good diet and regular exercise can help lower high cholesterol.

Cholesterol comes in two forms:

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the “bad,” unhealthy kind of cholesterol. LDL cholesterol can build up in your arteries and form fatty, waxy deposits called plaques.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is the “good,” healthy kind of cholesterol. It transports excess cholesterol out of your arteries to your liver, which removes it from your body.

Symptoms
No symptoms exist for high cholesterol. The only method to determine if you have it is through a blood test.

Whenever to visit a doctor
A person's initial cholesterol screening should take place between the ages of 9 and 11, and after that it should be repeated every five years, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).

The NHLBI advises men and women between the ages of 45 and 65 to get cholesterol testing every one to two years, respectively. Every year, people over 65 should get their cholesterol checked.

Your doctor might advise more regular measures if your test results aren't within acceptable ranges. If you have a family history of high cholesterol, heart disease, or another risk factor, your doctor might also recommend more frequent tests.

Complications
Development of atherosclerosis
High cholesterol can cause a dangerous accumulation of cholesterol and other deposits on the walls of your arteries (atherosclerosis). These deposits (plaques) can reduce blood flow through your arteries, which can cause complications, such as:

Chest pain. If the arteries that supply your heart with blood (coronary arteries) are affected, you might have chest pain (angina) and other symptoms of coronary artery disease.
Heart attack. If plaques tear or rupture, a blood clot can form at the plaque-rupture site — blocking the flow of blood or breaking free and plugging an artery downstream. If blood flow to part of your heart stops, you'll have a heart attack.
Stroke. Similar to a heart attack, a stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks blood flow to part of your brain.

Prevention
You can help prevent getting high cholesterol by making the same heart-healthy lifestyle changes that can lower your cholesterol. In order to lower your cholesterol, you can:

Consume a diet low in salt with a focus on fruits, vegetables, and healthy grains.
Use healthy fats sparingly and animal fats in moderation.
Get rid of extra weight and keep your weight in check
Stop smoking.
Engage in at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week.
if you do consume alcohol, do so in moderation.
Reduce stress

Call in 09057169047 or book an appointment via our website to know your cholesterol level today.
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