Cholesterol

If you’ve been told you have high cholesterol, taking action is important, and if you don’t know your cholesterol levels, you should schedule a visit with Bita Pour Jafari, MD, ABAARM, at Texas Premier Physicians P.A. in Houston, Texas. Working with a skilled physician can help you maintain healthy cholesterol levels and prevent future health problems. You can schedule a visit online or by phone at your convenience.

What is cholesterol and how do I know if I have high cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy, slightly sticky substance your body produces naturally. Found in your blood, cholesterol is needed to create healthy cells and vitamin D production. You also need cholesterol to create the hormones your body needs to thrive and to create bile, which helps with digestive function. 

Generally, your liver produces all the cholesterol your system needs. But you also take cholesterol through food. The only way to know your cholesterol levels is through blood testing, which is a routine part of annual physical exams. 

Is high cholesterol a serious health problem?

When your cholesterol levels climb, you can develop clogged arteries. This hampers your body’s ability to transport oxygenated blood to your organs and tissues. When cholesterol, fats, and other substances accumulate on your arterial walls, it creates plaque. Pieces of this plaque can break free, leading to a heart attack or stroke. 

Much like hypertension, most people who have high cholesterol have no idea they are reaching dangerous levels. There are often no clear symptoms unless or until a serious health crisis develops. 

That’s why screening is a critical part of preventive health. If you learn your cholesterol is nearing dangerous levels, you can take action to bring those readings down before serious damage occurs. 

If you already have dangerously high cholesterol, Dr. Jafari can recommend more in-depth screenings to check for circulatory system problems. 

What can be done to treat high cholesterol?

If your blood testing reveals high cholesterol, Dr. Jafari will work with you to determine the best possible treatment path. There are medications that can help reduce your cholesterol readings and protect your heart health. 

Some work by limiting the amount of cholesterol your body can absorb from food sources, while others prompt your liver to use up extra cholesterol to create more bile acids or help your liver absorb more cholesterol.

Altering your diet and getting plenty of exercise is also a critical part of lowering your cholesterol. You should especially strive to reduce your intake of saturated fats and trans fats and increase your consumption of omega-3 fatty acids and fibrous foods. 

If you’re curious about your cholesterol levels and want to look into screening or treatment options, book an appointment at Texas Premier Physicians P.A. online or by phone today.