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Dr. Gloria Mendizabal-Piedra MD

(305) 823-2433

3986 W. 16 Avenue | Hialeah, FL 33012

Think You Have High Cholesterol? Here’s How to Tell

high cholesterol

Cholesterol can be both good and bad for your health. There are two forms of cholesterol: HDL (high-density lipoproteins), the good cholesterol and LDL (low-density lipoproteins), the bad cholesterol). High cholesterol is a serious health issue that can affect many aspects of your life. Here’s what causes high cholesterol, its symptoms, and how to treat this medical issue for health and weight loss.

Symptoms of High Cholesterol

Sadly, there are no symptoms of high cholesterol. This medical issue does not cause severe headaches, muscle pain, dizziness, loss of appetite or any other type of warning sign you could look for on a regular basis. Instead, the only way to find out if you have high cholesterol is by visiting your doctor to have your blood tested. 

Children and adults who do not have any risk factors for high cholesterol will be tested once between the ages of nine and 11, and again between 17 and 19. Adults are tested once every five years if they do not have any risk factors for high cholesterol

Risk Factors of High Cholesterol

The risk factors that can lead to high cholesterol include:

  • Obesity - Those with a body mass index higher than 30 are at risk of developing high cholesterol
  • Poor diet - A diet featured saturated fats and trans fat can lead to high cholesterol
  • Lack of exercise
  • Age
  • Smoking
  • Diabetes

What Does High Cholesterol Cause?

So, what can high cholesterol cause regarding your health? Having untreated high cholesterol can wind up causing you to suffer a heart attack, stroke or chest pain. It can lead to a buildup of plaque in your arteries, which reduces the blood flow in your body. These are complications that can lead to serious health problems and even death.

Treating High Cholesterol

If you are diagnosed with high cholesterol, it is important to visit your family physician when he or she recommends you schedule an appointment. This includes having your cholesterol tested and then following all the doctor’s orders. You might be prescribed medication to help keep your cholesterol levels low. This will prevent strokes or heart attacks. Part of your treatment could include the doctor putting you on a strict diet that removes saturated fats from your meals.

Foods to Avoid

If you are diagnosed with high cholesterol, there are certain foods you should avoid at all costs. The foods to avoid with high cholesterol include the following:

  • Pork
  • Lamb
  • Fatty beef
  • Lard
  • Poultry that has skin on it
  • Saturated vegetable oils
  • Whole or reduced-fat milk products
  • Packaged frosting
  • Buttered popcorn
  • Fried foods
  • Packaged pastries, cookies, donuts
  • Crackers
  • Potato chips
  • Products with hydrogenated vegetable oils

At Risk for High Cholesterol? See a Doctor Today

If you have any of the risk factors mentioned here for high cholesterol, see a doctor as soon as possible for a blood test. Contact GMP Medical in Hialeah, Florida at (305) 823-2433 to schedule an appointment.

July 25, 2019 1:56 pm
Categories: Diet