High Cholesterol Specialist

What is high cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy substance that your body uses to make hormones, vitamin D, and digestive fluids. Your body produces all the cholesterol it needs. However, you also consume cholesterol in foods such as eggs, shellfish, and red meat. Too much cholesterol in your blood can clog your arteries and increase your risk of cardiovascular disease.

You have two types of cholesterol: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Your body transports cholesterol through your body through your bloodstream. It sends LDL out through your body to support functionality and HDL to pick up any extra LDL that your body doesn’t need. The excess LDL returns to your liver, which removes it from your body.

However, if you have too much LDL cholesterol, your HDL cholesterol can’t collect it all. As a result, the LDL cholesterol builds up in your arteries and can lead to a blockage.

What causes high cholesterol?

Your genetics and family medical history contribute to your risk of high cholesterol, although several lifestyle factors also contribute to the condition. For example, you increase your chances of developing high cholesterol if you:

• Eat a high-fat diet
• Are overweight or obese
• Lead a sedentary lifestyle
• Smoke
• Have diabetes

Your risk of high cholesterol also increases as you age, since your body chemistry changes, leaving your body less able to process and remove LDL cholesterol.

What tests diagnose high cholesterol?

The team of medical professionals at Russak Personalized Medicine offers comprehensive blood panels, which assess your cholesterol levels. If you have high cholesterol, they also recommend additional cardiovascular testing, including heart scans and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) ultrasounds to identify your risk of heart disease. 

What treatment plans are available for high cholesterol?

Your team at Russak Personalized Medicine creates a customized treatment plan to reduce your cholesterol levels and cardiovascular risk.

For example, they work with you to create a meal plan to reduce the cholesterol that you consume and help you increase your physical activity levels. They can also prescribe medications to help your body process and remove cholesterol levels. Usually, treatment plans include a combination of lifestyle modifications and medicine. 

If you’re concerned about high cholesterol and your cardiovascular health or want to join a concierge medicine membership program, call Russak Personalized Medicine or make an appointment online today.