Cholesterol

If you need to have your cholesterol checked, or have other medical concerns related to cholesterol, Mountain Lakes Medical Center is open 7 days a week in Mountain Lakes, NJ. No Appointment is ever needed. To learn more about cholesterol, read on…

Cholesterol is a natural substance that your body produces; in fact your body needs it to work properly. However, what is important is having just the right amount for healthy cell functioning.

Too much of this waxy substance in your blood, can cause it to stick to the walls of your arteries, cause plaque and actually severely narrow your arteries or block them all together. This can severely increase your risk of cardiovascular disease, including stroke or heart attack.

Eating foods high in cholesterol or saturated trans fat, such as meat, dairy products, chocolate, palm or coconut oils, margarines, and many commercially prepared foods can raise your cholesterol to an unhealthy level. Other risk factors include smoking, obesity, or family history of heart disease.

Another type of cholesterol, known as high-density lipoprotein causes danger because the body is unable to hold on to it. The cholesterol moves easily through the blood and transfers to the liver where it is processed for removal before the body can even use it.

Cholesterol levels tend to rise with age and unfortunately there are hardly any signs or symptoms – only a blood test can reveal if you have an unhealthy cholesterol level.

Usually a physician would recommend exercising more and choosing healthier foods like fruits and vegetables. In some cases, medicine for lowering cholesterol may be prescribed.

To see if you or a loved one are at risk for developing high cholesterol please see the links below.

For more information on cholesterol, see the following websites:

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1516 – American Heart Association provides helpful information, such as getting your cholesterol under control and preventing heart attacks and strokes.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cholesterol.html – Medline plus.com gives an overview of cholesterol, its treatment, latest news and facts about alternative therapies.

http://familydoctor.org/801.xml – article with information on cholesterol lowering medicine and life changes necessary to avoid high cholesterol.

http://www.kidshealth.org/PageManager.jsp?dn=familydoctor&lic=44&article_set=22043 – kids friendly explanation of what is cholesterol, how to manage it and live with it.

http://www.fda.gov/womens/getthefacts/cholesterol.html – U.S. Food and Drug Administration provides a valuable fact sheet for those dealing with high cholesterol, its dangers and managing options.

Disclaimer: The links above are to sites independent of MtLakesMedical.com. The pages will open in a new browser window. The information provided is for educational purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, you should consult your doctor. Always follow your doctor’s recommendations regarding your specific medical questions, treatments, therapies, and other needs.