Studies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that over 70 million adults in America have high cholesterol levels. Studies also show that only 1 in 3 of the 70 million have their condition under control. A high cholesterol level makes you more susceptible to heart diseases. The key to regulating your cholesterol level is maintaining a healthy lifestyle that involves diets and physical activities. It is also important to contact your healthcare provider regularly to help monitor your cholesterol levels. High cholesterol makes you more susceptible to heart attacks, heart diseases and other health complications. Your doctor may prescribe drugs that help improve your cholesterol level.
What is Cholesterol?
The body contains different types of fats. Cholesterol, a type of fat found in the body, helps build and repair damaged cells. It is also used to produce hormones that maintain metabolism rate. The body’s major source of cholesterol is the liver. However, it can also be gotten from certain foods.
Cholesterol can be categorized into various types. The most common types in the body include LDL (bad) cholesterol and HDL (good) cholesterol. Excess LDL in the body can increase your chances of having a stroke or heart disease. You can lower your cholesterol level by adjusting your lifestyle and taking drugs prescribed by your healthcare provider.