You can go for many years with high cholesterol with no idea of its impact on your health. In Palm Desert, California, Asma Kazi, MD, provides individualized care for high cholesterol at Asma M. Kazi, MD Inc.. If you’re interested in developing a health plan that reduces your risk of complications like chest pain or stroke, call Asma M. Kazi, MD Inc. or book an appointment online today.
High cholesterol is a largely silent medical condition, meaning it doesn’t typically cause symptoms. For this reason, you might not realize you have it until you visit your doctor.
Cholesterol is a waxy substance called a lipid. Its responsibilities include forming cell membranes and producing certain hormones like vitamin D in the kidneys. Because cholesterol can’t travel by itself through your bloodstream, it couples with lipoproteins. These are made of fat and protein and can transport cholesterol safely.
There are two types of lipoproteins that carry cholesterol: high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL). Excessive LDL in your bloodstream is an indicator of high cholesterol. Long-term and unmanaged high cholesterol increases your risk of various health issues including heart attack and stroke.
High cholesterol develops over time due in part to the foods you eat and your habits. Eating foods high in trans and saturated fats puts you at risk of high cholesterol, as does being inactive or smoking. Yet, lifestyle and behavior are not the only causes of the condition.
Many people are naturally at an increased risk of high cholesterol because of genetics or underlying health conditions they have no control over. A condition called familial hypercholesterolemia is a genetic disorder that prevents your body from removing LDL cholesterol from your bloodstream.
You can also develop high cholesterol alongside diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and various medications.
Lowering your cholesterol is possible with careful management and physician support. After evaluating you with blood tests, your provider at Asma M. Kazi, MD Inc. recommends diet and lifestyle changes to safely lower your levels. You might also need to take some medications.
Asma M. Kazi, MD Inc. may recommend or prescribe:
By following your treatment plan and taking medications exactly as prescribed, you can avoid the complications of long-term high cholesterol, including cardiovascular problems like angina (chest pain), heart attack, and stroke.
Find out more about how high cholesterol affects your wel-lbeing by calling Asma M. Kazi, MD Inc. or booking an appointment online today.