Cholesterol: Treatment, Diagnosis & More

Table of Contents:

• Introduction 
• What is Cholesterol?
• Diagnosis of High Cholesterol
• Treatment Options 
• Prevention Strategies 
• Monitoring and Follow-up
• Understanding Cholesterol Treatment to Prevent Cardiac Events

Do you know high cholesterol is also known as a “silent killer.” No wonder! It shows no symptoms until it’s too late. A high cholesterol level or hyperlipidemia leads to life-threatening conditions like chest pain and heart attacks. 

One type of hyperlipidemia is hypercholesterolemia. It means that your blood has too much low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which is considered bad cholesterol. This high concentration of LDL increases the risk of stroke. Studies show that reducing the level of LDL cholesterol results in lower cardiac events. 

On the other hand, HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol has lower heart risks. It is safe because HDL transports extra cholesterol to the liver, where it is safely disposed of. Thus, it doesn’t add more risk to diseases associated with the heart.

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with high cholesterol, you may be intimidated by what’s next. Well, don’t worry. We’ll cover everything you need to know about high cholesterol treatment. From initial prognosis and diagnosis to exhaustive treatment options, this blog post will help you manage your cholesterol level effectively. 

What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a wax-like substance that helps the body create cell membranes, different hormones, and Vitamin D. The body’s two sources of cholesterol are the liver and the food we eat.

Cholesterol is transported in the bloodstream through lipoproteins, which are commonly known as LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and HDL (high-density lipoprotein).

LDL cholesterol is often known as bad cholesterol because it grows in arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease. HDL, on the other hand, is removes good cholesterol because it removes LDL (bad cholesterol) from the coronary arteries. 

Recommended Cholesterol Levels

The recommended cholesterol level varies depending on the age, gender, and family history of heart disease. However, we have listed a general recommendation for cholesterol levels: 

1. Total Cholesterol: If you are less than 19 years old, total cholesterol should be not more than 170 mg/dL. On the other hand, the recommended total cholesterol for men and women over 19 is 125-200 mg/dL.
2. LDL Cholesterol: If you are under 19 years old, your total cholesterol should be no more than 110 mg/dL. Conversely, men and women over 19 must have LDL cholesterol less than 100 mg/dL.
3. HDL Cholesterol: If you are younger than 19 years, HDL cholesterol should be above 45 mg/dL. Men aged above 19 must have an HDL level of 40 mg/dL or higher, while women should have 50 mg/dL or higher. 

Note: If you are not diagnosed with any heart or blood vessel disease and your overall cardiac risk is low, the LDL cholesterol should be below 100 mg/dL. 

Diagnosis of High Cholesterol

High cholesterol is typically diagnosed through a regular blood test. This test is popularly known as lipid profile or lipid panel. It generally reports about:

• Total cholesterol
• LDL cholesterol
• HDL cholesterol
• Triglycerides — a type of fat in the blood

You are required to fast for 9-12 hours before the blood test. You should abstain from eating any food or liquid except water. However, there are a few cholesterol tests that don’t require fasting. Hence, follow your doctor’s instructions accordingly.

Risk Factors for High Cholesterol 

Certain lifestyle patterns and health conditions increase the risk of high cholesterol. While some risk factors, like family history, gender, and age, cannot be controlled, certain behaviors are. Here is a list of risk factors associated with high cholesterol. 

1. Poor Diet: Eating a high amount of saturated fat or trans fats may result in unhealthy cholesterol levels. While saturated fats are extensively found in meats and dairy products, trans fats are present in packaged products or desserts.
2. Obesity: Being overweight can increase your LDL cholesterol level. If you have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more, you are at a greater risk of high cholesterol.
3. Lack of Exercise: An increased amount of physical activity increases HDL cholesterol and reduces LDL in the body. Thus, exercise is essential to maintaining good cholesterol.
4. Smoking and Alcohol: Cigarette smoking and too much intake of alcohol damage the blood vessels. It often lowers the HDL level of your body, resulting in more build-up of LDL. 
5. Type 2 diabetes: It lowers HDL cholesterol in the body and gives rise to triglycerides (another form of cholesterol). Poor diet and unhealthy lifestyle are the major causes of this disease.

Treatment Options 

Non-HDL cholesterol can increase the risk of heart disease. Thus, you should take steps to lower your bad cholesterol. For this, you can make some simple lifestyle changes and take medications to help you maintain your body’s cholesterol level. So, here are some management options and treatments for High non-HDL cholesterol: 

1. Lifestyle Changes 

Your doctor may suggest heart-healthy lifestyle changes as the first step to lowering your high cholesterol. Here are some of those lifestyle changes that can help you regain your normal cholesterol level. 

• A healthy diet containing lower saturated fat and higher omega-3 fats. Do not consume trans fats. 
• Adopt healthy cooking methods! Include raw fruits and salads in your diet. While you cook food, consider roasting, boiling, stewing, and baking instead of deep frying.   
• Discontinuing smoking can help prevent LDL cholesterol buildup in the body. You should also avoid vaping and secondhand smoking. 

2. Medications 

Although lifestyle changes are beneficial to maintain cholesterol levels, they may not be the only treatment. In that case, your doctor may recommend some medications. The choice of medicines and drugs depends upon factors like your age and health. However, common choices include: 

• Statins: Statins hinder the substance necessary for your liver to produce cholesterol. Hence, this facilitates the liver to remove toxic cholesterol from your bloodstream. Some common statins include:
  • Atorvastatin
  • Fluvastatin 
  • Lovastatin
  • Pitavastatin 
  • Pravastatin 
  • Rosuvastatin 
  • Simvastatin 
• Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors: The small intestines usually absorb excess cholesterol from the diet and release it into the blood. Drugs like ezetimibe absorb dietary cholesterol, and help reduce its level in the blood. Ezetimibe can perfectly be used with a statin medicine. 
• Bempedoic Acid: It is a newer version of the cholesterol-lessening drug that works more like statins. However, the good part is that it is less likely to cause muscle pain. Incorporating these bempedoic acid drugs with a maximum statin dosage can lower your LDL cholesterol level significantly. 

• Bile-acid-Binding Resins: The liver produces bile acids with the help of cholesterol. Bile acids are particularly used for digestion. The bile acid-binding resins facilitate the liver’s use of excess cholesterol in the formation of more bile acids. Hence, it loses the cholesterol level in the blood. Popular medications that lower cholesterol levels by amalgamating with bile acids include:
  • Cholestyramine
  • Colesevelam
  • Colestipol 

Potential Side Effects of Cholesterol-lowering Drugs

Like all medicines, cholesterol-lowering drugs also cause some side effects. In most cases, these side effects are mild and may go after a certain period. The common side effects of such medications are: 

• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Nausea
• Stomach cramps
• Muscle soreness, pain, or weakness
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Fatigue
• Problems sleeping
• Rash or flushed skin

Thus, it is advisable to consult with your doctor regarding side effects and whether you should continue taking the drugs. 

Here are a few questions that you may ask your doctor if you find out your cholesterol level is high. 

• What are the causes of my high cholesterol level?
• How can I have a heart-healthy diet?
• Is there a need for medications? If yes, which kind of medicine and how will it improve my condition?
• How often should I get my cholesterol level checked?
• Do I need any advanced treatment? 

Prevention Strategies

High blood cholesterol levels can adversely affect cardiovascular health. If you are worried about your cholesterol level rising above the normal range, there are practices to prevent the same: 

• Manage Your Weight

Along with a healthy diet, keep yourself fit and maintain a normal weight to lower cardiovascular risks. This will thereby minimize the chances of other health problems like obesity and diabetes. Even if you lose 5 to 10% of your weight, you will be able to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease significantly. 

• Know Your Numbers 

Adults over age 20 should have cholesterol measured once every five years. This gives both the patient and the doctor an opportunity to act on increased cholesterol early if it starts to rise.

• Dietary Requirements 

Low-cholesterol foods such as oats, beans, nuts, and olive oil contain monounsaturated fats. Moreover, foods like fish and canola oil contain polyunsaturated fats, which improve heart health. 

Monitoring High Cholesterol 

If you are an adult and haven’t had your cholesterol level checked lately, make an appointment with your doctor. Regular screenings help track changes in cholesterol levels over time. Here are some tips on how to prepare for the appointment. Make a list of:

• Symptoms, if any 
• Personal information like family history of high cholesterol, artery diseases, heart strokes, high blood pressure, or diabetes. 
• Medications you take, like vitamins, supplements and more. 
• Questions to ask like how often you should be screened based on your age and family health.

Hence, regular check-ins with your doctor are vital for monitoring your cholesterol level and heart health. These appointments allow you to adjust the treatment plan, which, in turn, ensures that you are managing your cholesterol level effectively. 

Final Thoughts 

The increase in high cholesterol levels among people suggests how important it is to determine high cholesterol treatment. Regular checkups and following doctors’ recommendations can protect you against life-threatening heart diseases. 

So why wait? Start your journey today and equip yourself with cholesterol-related information from a reliable authority. With the right knowledge, you can surely make a big step towards improving your heart health for good!  

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