How Can I Get My Cholesterol Levels Under Control?

You can find a waxy substance called cholesterol in your bloodstream and all of your cells. Too much of it can build up in your bloodstream and combine with other substances to form a plaque that hardens your blood vessel walls. 

Cholesterol alone isn’t inherently a bad thing, however. In fact, you need cholesterol to support cell function, create hormones, and digest food. The two main types of cholesterol are:

• High-density lipoprotein (HDL): Known as the “good kind,” HDL helps your body dispose of bad cholesterol by carrying it to your liver, keeping your blood cholesterol levels in check
• Low-density lipoprotein (LDL): Commonly called the “bad” cholesterol, LDL can contribute to plaque buildup in your arteries

Board-certified internist and cardiologist Jeffrey H. Graf, MD, is committed to helping you avoid the consequences of high cholesterol. Dr. Graf measures your cholesterol with a simple blood test during routine screenings at his private practice on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, New York. 

If your cholesterol is high, don’t panic. There are plenty of ways to get your cholesterol levels under control with time, including lifestyle changes and as-needed medications. 

What causes high cholesterol?

Many behaviors and other factors can gradually increase your cholesterol over time. Age alone is a risk factor because of your liver’s declining ability to remove LDL cholesterol. 

Other risk factors for high cholesterol include:

• Obesity
• Impared Gut Microbiome
• A sedentary lifestyle
• A diet high in saturated or trans fats
• Your genetics
• Some medications, such as steroids and some chemotherapy meds

Stress, which raises levels of certain hormones in your body, can contribute to high cholesterol, too. 

High cholesterol: The health risks

High cholesterol has no symptoms, so the complications can sneak up on you if you’re unaware of your cholesterol levels. Surprisingly, more than 40% of adults in the United States who have high cholesterol are none the wiser. That’s why it’s important to get annual physical exams from a provider you trust. 

When you don’t manage high cholesterol, it can put you at risk of these health complications:

• Heart disease
• Heart attack
• Peripheral artery disease
• Stroke
• High blood pressure
• Dementia
• Chest pain

Dr. Graf can work with you to evaluate your lifestyle and find ways to manage your cholesterol. 

Steps you can take to reduce your cholesterol 

Dr. Graf can recommend ways to lower your cholesterol levels based on your current lifestyle and the risk factors at play. While you can’t modify your genetics, you can modify behaviors that raise your cholesterol.

Dietary changes

Modifying your diet can go a long way in reducing cholesterol, along with other health benefits such as managing your weight and lowering your blood pressure. Dr. Graf can help you learn ways to get more fiber while avoiding unhealthy fats that raise cholesterol. 

Regular exercise

Exercising regularly is a must for your long-term health. Even if you’re out of shape, getting more physical activity helps lower your cholesterol. 

Healthy stress management

Try to find cholesterol-neutral stress management strategies like meditating or improving your sleep habits. 

Medications for high cholesterol

If lifestyle changes alone can’t get your cholesterol to a healthy range, Dr. Graf might prescribe statins or other cholesterol-lowering medications. 

Getting your cholesterol levels under control is a big step toward reducing your risk of heart attack, heart disease, and stroke. Call Jeffrey H. Graf, MD, to book an appointment and learn smart, healthy ways to manage your cholesterol today.