High Cholesterol or Atherosclerosis Specialist in Michigan
At CardioQ – Heart & Wellness Center, we offer a comprehensive approach to the treatment of high cholesterol and atherosclerosis. Our team of High Cholesterol Specialist works with each patient to develop a personalized treatment plan that takes into account their individual needs and preferences.
High cholesterol and atherosclerosis are serious conditions that can lead to significant health problems.
High Cholesterol Treatment & Management
However, fortunately, there are many treatments available that can help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. If you are concerned about your cholesterol levels or have a family history of heart disease, it is important to talk to your doctor about your options.
At CardioQ – Heart & Wellness Center, we are dedicated to providing the highest level of care to our patients and helping them achieve optimal heart health.
High cholesterol and atherosclerosis are common conditions that can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease and stroke.
As a High Cholesterol Specialist and Aherosclerosis Specialist in Michigan at CardioQ – Heart & Wellness Center, we have seen firsthand the impact of these conditions on patients’ lives. In this article, we will explore the risks and treatments associated with high cholesterol and atherosclerosis.
High cholesterol and Atherosclerosis
Your body makes the cholesterol it needs. But you also get it in your diet (for example, full-fat dairy products, fried foods and fatty meat).
Too much cholesterol can be dangerous. Cholesterol management and high cholesterol treatment is necessary for heathier lifestyle.
That’s because over time cholesterol and fat can build in the inner walls of the arteries that supply blood to the heart. This can cause a narrowing of the arteries (see atherosclerosis), which is a major cause of heart disease.
If you have high cholesterol, you’re certainly not alone. The good news is that high cholesterol is often preventable and treatable. Adopting a healthy diet, getting regular exercise and, in some cases, taking medication can go a long way to help lower your cholesterol and protect your heart.
Since it’s well-established that elevated or high cholesterol clogs arteries and increases your risk of heart disease, the top-rated cardiologists and high cholesterol specialist at CardioQ – Heart & Wellness Center in Beverly Hills, Michigan, provide up-to-date treatment solutions.
When it comes to cholesterol, remember: check, change and control. That is:
- Check your cholesterol levels. It’s key to know your numbers and assess your risk.
- Change your diet and lifestyle to help improve your levels.
- Control your cholesterol, with help from your doctor if needed
Behaviors & Lifestyle
Behaviors that can negatively affect your cholesterol levels include:
- Unhealthy diet
- Lack of physical activity
- Smoking or exposure to tobacco smoke
- Being overweight or obese
Heredity's Role
Some people inherit genes from their mother, father or even grandparents that cause them to have too much cholesterol. This is called familial hypercholesterolemia (FH).
The severity of FH is related to the duration and degree of LDL cholesterol in the blood. FH is dangerous because it can cause premature atherosclerotic heart disease.
If you have a family history of FH or problems related to high cholesterol, get your levels checked.
Common questions
Cholesterol is a necessary substance in your body. It’s a structural component of cell membranes, helps to make certain hormones, and aids in fat-soluble vitamin absorption, among other functions. However, not all cholesterol is equal, and too much bad cholesterol can be harmful to your heart.
Cholesterol falls into two primary categories: good and bad. Good cholesterol, formally known as high-density lipoprotein (HDL), is a beneficial cholesterol that helps transport harmful cholesterol particles out of your body. You want high levels of HDL to keep your heart healthy.
It’s the harmful substances that you want in low numbers: low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and triglycerides (a type of bad fat connected with heart disease). So High Cholesterol Treatment is highly recommended.
LDL, VLDL, and triglycerides in high levels, or HDL in low levels, can increase your risk of:
- Atherosclerosis
- Heart disease
- Heart attack
- Gallstones
- Stroke
- Clots
Cholesterol Management: Needless to say, it’s important to monitor your cholesterol regularly and make any necessary lifestyle changes if your cholesterol levels become problematic.
For optimal heart health, your cholesterol numbers should be as follows:
- Total cholesterol under 200 mg/dL
- LDL cholesterol under 100 mg/dL
- VLDL below 30 mg/dL
- Triglycerides below 150 mg/dL
- HDL cholesterol above 40 mg/dL (for men) and above 50 mg/dL (for women)
If you have certain risk factors, such as a personal or family history of heart disease, your cardiologist at CardioQ – Heart & Wellness Center may have stricter cholesterol numbers they want you to reach for Cholesterol Management.
High Cholesterol Speciliast at CardioQ – Heart & Wellness Center provides routine lipids checkups to monitor your cholesterol levels throughout the course of your life.
If your total, LDL, or VLDL cholesterol levels are high, or if your HDL is too low, your cardiologist at CardioQ – Heart & Wellness Center designs a personalized treatment plan.
In general, making lifestyle changes is the best way to lower your cholesterol and keep it at a stable level for life. Your cardiologist may recommend:
- Getting more exercise
- Increasing your dietary fiber
- Losing excess body weight
- Learning to manage stress
- Quitting smoking
If your cholesterol is a serious concern, your cardiologist may recommend medications.
Cholesterol-lowering medications include fibrates, statins, niacin, PCSK9 inhibitors, or other drugs to help stabilize your cholesterol over time.
If you have a history of high cholesterol, don’t hesitate another day to book an exam at CardioQ – Heart & Wellness Center by High Cholesterol Specialist for Cholesterol Management. You can conveniently schedule your lipids checkup online or by phone with our office.