Open toolbar COVID-19 Policies Online Bill Pay Previous Next Managing Your Cholesterol Cholesterol plays a role in your health. It is important to learn about it: what it is, how it can affect your health if taken in large amounts, how to manage it, and how a primary care doctor can help deal with it or its effects. Managing cholesterol is just one way to can work towards keeping yourself healthy in the long term. Hampton Family Practice offers an overview of cholesterol and how it can affect your health. What Is Cholesterol? According to the American Heart Association, it is a waxy fat-like substance found in every cell in your body. Contrary to popular opinion, cholesterol is not entirely harmful to you, since the body needs it to synthesize hormones, cells, vitamin D, and other substances that help in food digestion. It also protects your body’s nerves from damage. There are two types of cholesterol; low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which is referred to as bad cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), “good” cholesterol. The liver is responsible for producing some amount of cholesterol with the rest of it coming from fatty foods comprising animal products such as poultry, meat, oils, and dairy. How Does High Cholesterol Affect the Rest of Your Health? Cholesterol continuously circulates in the blood. High cholesterol levels in the blood pose a health risk to you. You are likely to suffer from cardiovascular diseases due to extreme cholesterol levels in your body. LDL cholesterol, which is more than HDL in the body, accumulates in your blood vessels, exposing you to severe health complications like a heart attack or even stroke. “Bad cholesterol” can also cause coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis and peripheral artery disease. Managing Cholesterol It is important to check your cholesterol levels to avoid health complications. In case your numbers are high, it is advisable to change diets and make other lifestyle changes to better your cholesterol levels. Keeping tabs on your cholesterol levels requires regular doctor visits to help control and manage the issue. There are several ways you can manage high cholesterol: Adopting a heart-healthy diet to improve your cholesterol levels Quitting smoking, since chemicals found in smoke oxidize HDL cholesterol, exposing you to heart diseases Exercising regularly and being physically active. A daily 30-minute walk is usually very beneficial. Watching your weight through a healthy diet and regular exercise Monitor your cholesterol and blood pressure levels by visiting your doctor regularly and following your management plan. How Does a Primary Care Doctor Help? Excess LDL cholesterol or inadequate HDL can bring you negative health implications. A primary care doctor helps manage and keep your cholesterol levels within acceptable limits by determining the numbers and making appropriate recommendations. At Hampton Family Practice in Hampton Va, we recommend annual physical exams and regular bloodwork to check and maintain healthy cholesterol levels. If you need to schedule your next physical, contact us today! We are here for you, working for your best health, together! By Hampton Family Practice|August 1st, 2021|Blog, Chronic Conditions, Prevention & Wellness|Comments Off on Managing Your Cholesterol Share This Story, Choose Your Platform! Facebook Twitter Reddit LinkedIn Tumblr Pinterest Vk Email SPECIALIZING IN YOU SINCE 1977 > About Hampton Family Practice > Our Providers > Services > Community Involvement > Patient Stories > Patient Portal > Online Bill Payment LEARN MORE ON OUR BLOG 5 Common School Ailments To Watch For National Mammography Day Best of 2021 The Well Woman Exam: Staying Healthy Managing Your Cholesterol FOLLOW US hamptonfamilypractice Follow on Instagram Copyright 2021 Hampton Family Practice | All Rights Reserved | Policies & Accessibility 9 Manhattan Square, Suite A, Hampton, VA 23666 | 757-838-6335 Doctor in Hampton | Family Practice Doctor | Hampton Virginia Primary Care Family Practice website designed and maintained by Virginia Creative Group Facebook Pinterest Twitter YouTube Instagram Yelp