High Cholesterol
Living with high cholesterol can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. At TwelveStone Health Partners, we’re here to guide you through understanding your condition, exploring treatment options, and taking meaningful steps toward better heart health. With the right support and information, managing high cholesterol becomes much more achievable.
What is High Cholesterol?
High cholesterol occurs when your blood contains too much cholesterol, a waxy, fat-like substance your body needs in moderate amounts. While cholesterol plays essential roles in building healthy cells and producing hormones, excess amounts can accumulate in your arteries. This buildup, called plaque, narrows your blood vessels and restricts blood flow, significantly increasing your risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
Cholesterol travels through your bloodstream in two main forms: low-density lipoprotein (LDL), often called “bad” cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), known as “good” cholesterol. When LDL levels climb too high, or HDL levels drop too low, your cardiovascular health suffers.
Symptoms of High Cholesterol
Understanding what high cholesterol looks and feels like can help you stay vigilant about your health. Because this condition often develops silently, knowing what to watch for at every stage empowers you to seek timely care.
Early Warning Signs
High cholesterol typically produces no noticeable symptoms in its early stages. This silent nature makes it particularly dangerous because damage can occur long before you realize anything is wrong. Most people discover their elevated cholesterol levels through routine blood work rather than physical symptoms.
Severe or Advanced Symptoms
When high cholesterol remains untreated for extended periods, serious complications may develop. You might experience chest pain or angina when plaque buildup restricts blood flow to your heart. Some individuals develop xanthomas, yellowish deposits that appear around the eyes or on tendons. In severe cases, a heart attack or stroke may be the first indication of a long-standing cholesterol problem.
Who is at Risk of High Cholesterol?
Several factors influence your likelihood of developing high cholesterol. While some risks lie beyond your control, understanding all contributing factors helps you and your healthcare team create an effective prevention or management strategy.
Genetic Causes (Familial Hypercholesterolemia)
Some people inherit genes that cause their bodies to produce excessive cholesterol or struggle to remove it efficiently. Familial hypercholesterolemia affects approximately 1 in 250 people and can cause dangerously high cholesterol levels from birth. If heart disease runs in your family, discussing genetic screening with your healthcare provider is wise.
Diet and Lifestyle Factors
Your daily choices significantly impact your cholesterol levels. Diets high in saturated fats, trans fats, and processed foods contribute to elevated LDL cholesterol. Sedentary lifestyles, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption also raise your risk considerably.
Medical Conditions That Increase Cholesterol
Certain health conditions can elevate your cholesterol levels, including diabetes, hypothyroidism, kidney disease, and liver conditions. Additionally, some medications may affect your cholesterol as a side effect, making regular monitoring essential.
How High Cholesterol is Diagnosed
Diagnosing high cholesterol requires a simple blood test called a lipid panel or lipid profile. Your doctor will likely ask you to fast for 9-12 hours before the test to ensure accurate results. This straightforward procedure provides crucial insights into your cardiovascular health.
Your lipid panel measures total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. Generally, total cholesterol should remain below 200 mg/dL, LDL below 100 mg/dL, and HDL above 60 mg/dL. Your healthcare provider will interpret these numbers within the context of your overall health and risk factors.
High Cholesterol Treatments
When lifestyle changes aren’t enough, medication may be necessary. TwelveStone Health Partners provides access to advanced treatment options, including:
Evkeeza (evinacumab-dgnb): This injectable medication helps patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia who haven’t achieved adequate cholesterol reduction with other treatments. Evkeeza works by blocking a protein called angiopoietin-like 3, helping your body clear LDL cholesterol more effectively.
Leqvio (inclisiran): Administered by injection twice yearly after initial doses, Leqvio represents a newer approach to cholesterol management. This medication reduces LDL cholesterol by targeting a specific protein involved in cholesterol production, offering a convenient option for patients who struggle with daily medications.
How to Prevent High Cholesterol
The good news is that many factors contributing to high cholesterol are within your control. Embracing heart-healthy eating habits makes a significant difference. Focus on incorporating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats like those found in olive oil, nuts, and fatty fish while limiting saturated fats and processed foods.
Pairing dietary changes with regular physical activity amplifies your results. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise weekly, such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling.
Beyond diet and exercise, quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing stress through relaxation techniques all support healthier cholesterol levels.
Organizational Resources
The American Heart Association is a nonprofit organization that funds cardiovascular medical research, educates consumers on healthy living and fosters appropriate cardiac care in an effort to reduce disability and deaths caused by cardiovascular disease.
The American Heart Association is a nonprofit organization that funds cardiovascular medical research, educates consumers on healthy living and fosters appropriate cardiac care in an effort to reduce disability and deaths caused by cardiovascular disease.
The Million Hearts™ initiative focused, coordinated, and enhanced cardiovascular disease prevention activities across the public and private sectors and scaled-up proven clinical and community strategies to prevent heart attack and stroke across the nation.
New Patient Resources
Take Control of Your Cholesterol Today
Managing high cholesterol doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming. At TwelveStone Health Partners, our dedicated team is ready to support you with personalized treatment plans, access to advanced medications, and the resources you need to protect your heart health.
Ready to take the next step? Contact us today to learn how we can help you on your journey toward better cardiovascular health. Your heart will thank you.
