Cholesterol Management

What is cholesterol management?

High cholesterol occurs when a waxy substance that your body naturally produces builds up in your arteries and veins, increasing your risk of blood vessel narrowing and blockages.

Cholesterol management includes treating high cholesterol and routine medical monitoring to make sure your cholesterol levels stay within a normal range.

Maintaining ideal cholesterol levels using healthy lifestyle habits and medications significantly reduces your risk of a heart attack, stroke, heart disease, and other serious medical problems. 

Does high cholesterol cause any symptoms?

High cholesterol doesn’t cause any symptoms. That’s why routine cholesterol screening and management are important. A blood test is the way Dr. Raja detects high cholesterol. If left undetected and untreated, it can lead to heart problems or a stroke. 

What are the risk factors for high cholesterol?

You need cholesterol management if your blood cholesterol is high. Risk factors for high cholesterol include:

• Poor dietary habits
• Excess saturated fat intake
• Carrying excess weight
• Smoking
• Lack of exercise
• Excessive alcohol intake
• Being over 40
• Family history of high cholesterol

Adopting healthy habits is the best way to reduce your chance of developing high cholesterol and complications associated with it.

Is cholesterol management right for me?

To find out if you need cholesterol management, Dr. Raja checks your vital signs, reviews your medical history, and completes a physical exam. He uses blood tests to evaluate your blood cholesterol levels before developing a personalized treatment plan. 

What does cholesterol management consist of?

During cholesterol management, Dr. Raja may recommend:

Routine checkups

Seeing Dr. Raja regularly for cholesterol screenings helps him best manage your condition, keeping your cholesterol levels within a normal range.

Lifestyle changes

Healthy habits help reduce high cholesterol levels naturally. Avoid smoking, don’t drink alcohol in excess, exercise regularly, and limit your intake of animal fats. Eat high-fiber foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes. If you’re overweight, Dr. Raja can help you move toward an ideal weight.

Medications

Taking cholesterol-lowering medicines is another effective treatment for high cholesterol. You might combine healthy lifestyle changes with medications to best manage cholesterol levels. 

To take advantage of cholesterol management with Manikanda Raja, MD, call his office or use the online booking tool today.