Cholesterol Management Specialist

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a type of fat that circulates in your blood, known as a lipid. You make cholesterol in your liver that your body uses to produce vitamin D, certain hormones, and cell membranes.

There are two main types of cholesterol; high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the one that your body needs, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which can cause vascular disease and heart problems. One of the most significant constituents of LDL is lipoprotein(a).

Most LDL cholesterol comes from your diet, so if you eat a lot of animal fats, you could have hypercholesterolemia — unhealthy levels of bad LDL cholesterol or lipoprotein(a) in your blood.

Triglycerides are another type of lipid, an excess of which is known as hypertriglyceridemia. Hyperlipidemia occurs when you have high levels of both triglycerides and cholesterol in your system.

Why is cholesterol management so important?

Cholesterol management is vital because, in large amounts, cholesterol and triglycerides can lead to cardiovascular problems.

The excess cholesterol in your blood mixes with other waste products and forms a sticky substance (plaque) that starts to coat the linings of your arteries. This condition, atherosclerosis, is the cause of many serious disorders, including coronary artery disease (CAD), peripheral arterial disease (PAD), and carotid artery disease.

Having one of these conditions can lead to potentially life-threatening heart attacks and strokes. Cholesterol management is an effective way of preventing these outcomes.

What does cholesterol management involve?

Making changes to your lifestyle is one of the most common cholesterol management tools. These changes could include:

• Losing weight
• Reducing your fat intake
• Exercising more often
• Quitting smoking
• Limiting alcohol intake
• Managing conditions like diabetes

If lifestyle changes aren't sufficient on their own, your provider might prescribe medications like statins to reduce your cholesterol levels.

What other cholesterol management procedures might I need?

If you have atherosclerosis causing blood flow problems, the team at Pinnacle Healthcare System might need to perform a cardiac catheterization procedure called balloon angioplasty.

During balloon angioplasty, your provider feeds a tiny catheter (tube) into the affected artery, then inflates a special balloon. The balloon flattens the plaque, which opens up space for your blood to flow. You may also have a stent — a mesh tube — in the artery to keep it open.

Find out your cholesterol levels and whether you need to follow a cholesterol management plan with a simple blood test. Call Pinnacle Healthcare System or book an appointment online today.