Cholesterol levels and your health
Q: Why should I care about my cholesterol levels?
A: “When too much cholesterol is present in your bloodstream, plaque – a thick, waxy, fatlike substance – can harden and cling to your arteries, narrowing the already tight space through which blood flows. Over time, this buildup can lead to cardiovascular disease,” says Thuyminh Nguyen, D.O., a boardcertified Family Medicine physician at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic. “Moreover, plaque deposits can break open and cause blood clots. Should a clot block an artery feeding the brain, it causes a stroke; if it blocks an artery feeding the heart, it’s a heart attack.”
The good the bad and the ugly
“Cholesterol travels through your bloodstream by carriers called lipoproteins,” Dr. Nguyen says. “Understanding the relationship between cholesterol levels and your health may be expressed as part of a film trilogy.”
The good: High density lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol is good and helps your body get rid of low density lipoproteins (LDL).
The bad: Low density lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol is bad and can cause plaque buildup on the walls of arteries.
The ugly: The more LDL cholesterol in your bloodstream, the greater the risk of ugly health outcomes such as heart disease, heart attack and stroke.
“Learn more about your health by scheduling a medical evaluation and having your cholesterol levels checked. If necessary, cholesterol-managing medications can be prescribed,” she concludes.