Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is found in all cells of the body. Your body needs some cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help you digest foods. There are two main types of cholesterol:
Keeping your cholesterol levels within healthy ranges is important to reduce your risk of serious health issues down the line. High cholesterol levels usually don't have any symptoms, but over time they can increase your risk for conditions like:
Conversely, healthy cholesterol levels protect your heart and blood vessels.
Experts recommend these target levels for healthy adults:
Levels above these targets signal an increased risk for cardiovascular problems. Your doctor may prescribe cholesterol-lowering medications if diet and lifestyle changes don't get your numbers down.
However, optimal cholesterol levels depend on your personal risk factors - individuals with heart disease or diabetes may need to aim even lower.
Small day-to-day tweaks can make a big difference in cholesterol over time! Here are tips:
Improving cholesterol takes commitment, but the heart health benefits are immense. Work closely with your doctor at Harmonize Care for personalized diet, medication, and lifestyle tips to optimize your levels. Tiny tweaks today could add years to your life by preventing major heart complications down the road!