According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, cholesterol is a waxy substance found in every cell in the body. Without enough cholesterol, your body wouldn’t be able to produce the right hormones, Vitamin D, and other materials that make digestion possible.
However, a variety of factors may conspire to raise cholesterol to unhealthy levels. High cholesterol means the amount in the body has gone from helpful and necessary to potentially dangerous. Major causes of elevated cholesterol include:
- An unhealthy diet
- Being overweight
- Not enough exercise
When all is said and done, many of the causes of high cholesterol are within our control. It’s within our power to choose what we eat, how much we exercise, whether or not to smoke (or to quit, if we do) and whether we embrace a healthy lifestyle. (Well, we said it’s a choice – not that it’s all that easy!)
Trouble starts when cholesterol reaches unsafe levels in our blood. When this happens, it begins sticking to artery walls. The more cholesterol builds up, the narrower our arteries become. This condition is referred to as atherosclerosis.
Over time, the flow of blood to the heart slows down. Since oxygen reaches your heart via your blood, your heart can be deprived of vital oxygen. Eventually, blood flow can be totally blocked from reaching the heart. That’s when heart attacks happen.
Next, let’s consider some proven ways to lower cholesterol, avoid heart disease, and even save lives.
Medication
While prescriptions and other medical approaches involving medication may not be your first choice, sometimes it’s the quickest way to get cholesterol under control. Effective cholesterol-lowering drugs have been around for decades:
- Statins
- Bile acid sequestrants
- Cholesterol absorption inhibitors
- Niacin
- PCSK9 inhibitors
- Fibrates
- Red yeast rice, flaxseed and garlic
Heart Healthy Diets
Much has been shared about heart-healthy diets. But if you’re short on time (or patience), just grab this shopping list:
- Oats
- Whole grains
- Beans
- Nuts
Amanda Butas is a Certified Dementia Practitioner, and your Mesa Client Care Manager. You can call her at (480) 699-4899. You also can visit Home Care Assistance at our new office next to Bed Bath and Beyond, located on Power and McKellips roads, at 2031 N. Power Road, Suite 103.
If you need support caring for a loved one, call us. Our trained caregivers can provide support to fit your schedule and provide you with peace of mind. We understand aging and we can help your loved one age in a healthy manner.