High Cholesterol Specialist
RevaMed Primary Care Associates
Board Certified Internal Medicine located in Boyton Beach, Boca Raton, & Greenacres, FL
Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels is one of the best things you can do for your heart health. The knowledgeable, caring team at RevaMed Primary Care Associates in Boynton Beach, Boca Raton, and Greenacres, Florida, is here to help you defend your body against high cholesterol. With regular cholesterol testing, quick diagnosis, and effective treatment, they give their patients the power to protect blood flow throughout their bodies. To learn more, call your nearest office and book your visit.
High Cholesterol Q & A
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy substance that naturally occurs in your body. You’ve probably heard that cholesterol is bad, but it’s actually an important substance your body uses to build cells and create hormones.
Cholesterol isn’t inherently bad, but too much cholesterol — and specifically, too much bad cholesterol — does heighten your risk for a number of health conditions, including heart attack and stroke.
What are the different types of cholesterol?
Not all cholesterol is the same. There are two different types of cholesterol in your body. Both are carried through your body attached to proteins. When attached to a protein, the cholesterol is called a lipoprotein. The two types of cholesterol are:
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
LDL is the bad type of cholesterol. As this lipoprotein moves through your bloodstream, it deposits cholesterol on the walls of your arteries. This hardens and narrows them, making it harder for blood to flow through.
Not only does this restrict healthy blood flow, but these deposits can also break off your artery wall suddenly. The resulting blood clot can cause a heart attack or stroke.
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
Fortunately, not all cholesterol is bad. As it moves through your body, HDL picks up cholesterol and deposits it safely at your liver where it doesn’t pose your blood flow any threat.
How do I know if I have high cholesterol?
High cholesterol usually doesn’t have any symptoms. That’s why the RevaMed Primary Care Associates team offers regular cholesterol screenings. By checking your body for unhealthy cholesterol levels with a simple blood test, they help you protect the health of your arteries and your heart.
What if I have high cholesterol?
Lifestyle changes alone can often effectively treat high cholesterol. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a heart-healthy diet, exercising regularly, and learning stress management techniques are all linked to healthy cholesterol levels.
As needed, RevaMed Primary Care Associates also offers lipid-lowering medications to pair with your lifestyle changes to help you reach and maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
Keeping your cholesterol balanced is a critical step in protecting your heart health long-term. Get informed about your cholesterol levels by calling RevaMed Primary Care Associates or book your appointment online.
