High Cholesterol 

High cholesterol, also known as hypercholesterolemia, is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Abnormal levels of LDL cholesterol or HDL cholesterol are treated with a low-fat diet, exercise, and medications such as statins.

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The average American has cholesterol levels that are ‘borderline high,’ and 1 in 6 has a high level. You may wonder whether something so common can really be a serious health risk. 

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Dr Neda Motameni and her team can guide you on how to  lower your high cholesterol by changing your daily habits. Some people may need medicine, as well as lifestyle changes, to control their cholesterol. Ask what changes you need to make to meet this goal during your next visit to our office at Vienna Virginia.

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High Cholesterol Q & A

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a kind of fat your body makes and gets from certain foods, namely meat and dairy products. Your body requires cholesterol to build cells, but too much cholesterol in your blood can lead to it being deposited on the insides of important arteries. This is known as high cholesterol, or hypercholesterolemia.

Over time, these fatty deposits grow and make it more difficult for blood to flow through the narrowed arteries. This buildup can also result in clots, which can, in turn, cause a heart attack or stroke, two of the leading causes of deaths in American adults.

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What causes high cholesterol?

The amount of cholesterol made by your body is more than enough for it to function, and specialists advise against getting too much dietary cholesterol. Unfortunately, busy schedules often mean poor diet, inconsistent to nonexistent exercise, stress, and excessive weight, all of which contribute to high cholesterol levels.

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What are the symptoms of high cholesterol?

High cholesterol has no physical symptoms and therefore can only be detected by a blood test. To get your cholesterol checked, schedule an appointment with Dr Neda Motameni and her team  at Internal Medicine Practice , Vienna Virginina.

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Does my child need to be tested for high cholesterol?

For most children, the team recommends one screening test between the ages of 9-11 and another between the ages of 17-21.

However, if your child has a history of obesity or diabetes, or if your family has a history of heart disease, Dr. Motameni may suggest earlier testing or a more frequent testing schedule.

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How is high cholesterol treated?

High cholesterol can be managed and even prevented by following some simple steps:

Eating a healthy diet heavy in fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole grains
Limiting animal fats
Maintaining a healthy weight
Getting daily exercise for at least 30 minutes
Drink moderately, if at all
Not smoking

If you have high cholesterol or other chronic health conditions, Dr. Motameni can help you make the lifestyle changes you need to prevent or manage high cholesterol.

Call Internal Medicine Practice or schedule an appointment online today to have your cholesterol levels checked.

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