High Cholesterol

High cholesterol can be one of the warning signs that something needs to change if you want to enjoy good long-term health. If you’ve got high cholesterol, visit Kwame Ntim, MD, and the team at Elite Endocrine and Metabolism Care in Altamonte, Florida. They can work with you to create a healthy but easy-to-follow eating plan that can help lower your numbers. To schedule an appointment for high cholesterol, call the office or book one online today.

What are the dangers of high cholesterol?

While it's not an endocrine disorder, high cholesterol can compromise your general health. When you've got high cholesterol, plaque, which is primarily made up of cholesterol, fat, and cellular waste, accumulates inside your arteries.

When plaque accumulates, it makes it harder for your blood to move through your arteries. When your blood can't move through your arteries in an uninhibited manner, your heart and brain can't function properly, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. 

What are the risk factors for high cholesterol?

There are various risk factors for high cholesterol, including:

• Diet that's high in fat, sugar, and cholesterol
• Family history of high cholesterol
• Age — 45 or older for men; 55 and older for women
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Smoking

During your annual physicals at Elite Endocrine and Metabolism Care, Dr. Ntim notes your risk factors and may perform a blood test to check your cholesterol levels.

What are high cholesterol levels?

High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are also known as good cholesterol. Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are often referred to as bad cholesterol. Your HDL pulls LDL out of your blood. Triglycerides, which are the harmful fats in your blood, also contribute to your cholesterol levels.

A good combined cholesterol score (including HDL, LDL, and triglycerides) is under 200. If your cholesterol score is over 240, you have high cholesterol. If your cholesterol score is between 200 and 239, you have borderline high cholesterol.

How can I lower my cholesterol levels?

If you have high cholesterol, Dr. Ntim and the team at Elite Endocrine and Metabolism Care can help you lower it to a healthy range. Often, you can lower your cholesterol levels by altering your diet and lifestyle. This can include:

• Losing excess weight
• Exercising regularly
• Eating a healthy diet that's low in cholesterol and trans fats
• Monitoring your cholesterol levels
• Avoiding alcohol

If you can't achieve healthy cholesterol levels after implementing the lifestyle modifications provided by Dr. Ntim, you may need to use prescription medication to lower your cholesterol levels. You'll work together with Dr. Ntim to manage your cholesterol levels and improve your health.

To schedule an appointment for high cholesterol, call Elite Endocrine and Metabolism Care or book an appointment online today.