Cholesterol gets a bad rap, but did you know your body needs it to function optimally?
Also, cholesterol levels can be improved with lifestyle changes, but did you know that sometimes lifestyle alone is not enough to fix a cholesterol problem?
The above are just two common misconceptions about cholesterol. Below, we dispel six common myths and share what you need to know to keep your levels in the optimum range.
Myth 1: Cholesterol is bad.
Fact: Your body needs cholesterol to function. This waxy, whitish-yellow fat produces hormones like estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. It combines with UV light to make vitamin D, and it protects against certain diseases. Your liver produces most of the cholesterol your body needs; without it, critical body functions would be compromised.
The key thing to know is there are different types of cholesterol:
LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is bad, and you want to keep it low.
HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is good, and you want it to be high.
When your LDL and/or HDL levels are outside normal ranges, your risk for heart disease increases.
Triglycerides are a third item typically seen on a lipid panel. They’re the most common type of fat in your body. High triglycerides, combined with low HDL or high LDL cholesterol, increase your risk for heart attack, peripheral artery disease and stroke.
The MNPS Health Care Centers can help you manage cholesterol. Call 615-259-8755, or schedule online.
Myth 2: I have a family history of high cholesterol, so it’s inevitable I’ll have it, too.
Fact: Your liver produces about 80% of the cholesterol in your body, and the remaining 20% comes from food. That means you do have some control over your levels.
If you eat foods high in trans and saturated fats, your LDL (bad) cholesterol can climb. As it circulates in in your bloodstream, it can build up on your artery walls, causing plaque. That’s called atherosclerosis. And because it causes your blood vessels to narrow and restrict blood flow, it puts you at increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
Myth 3: I can control my cholesterol without medicine.
Fact: Lifestyle changes like increased physical activity and better nutrition can improve cholesterol levels, but sometimes they’re not enough. In that case, your doctor may decide to prescribe a statin or other medication to control your cholesterol.
Statins are highly effective medicines that block the liver enzyme that produces cholesterol. Statins also help remove LDL cholesterol that’s already in the blood and boost your HDL cholesterol.
Statins can:
Decrease plaque buildup on artery walls
Keep plaque stable so it doesn’t break off and block blood flow to the heart or brain
Reduce swelling in artery walls
Lower the chance of blood clots forming
There are several types of statins. If indicated, your doctor can write a prescription based on your cholesterol levels, your risk for heart disease and how well you can tolerate a statin.
Myth 4: Diabetes has no effect on cholesterol.
Fact: Diabetes can lower HDL (good) cholesterol and increase triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol, creating a condition called diabetic dyslipidemia. This can put you at risk for heart disease and atherosclerosis.
Because of this increased risk, the American Diabetes Association and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommend that people with diabetes aged 40+ with elevated LDL levels take a statin medication.
Myth 5: Statins, which treat cholesterol, have lots of side effects like muscle pain.
Fact: While some people may experience aches and pains as a statin side effect, most patients don’t. Only a small percentage of patients experience muscle-related side effects like aches and cramping. And 90% of patients who had these side effects with one statin were able to tolerate an alternative statin medication.
Myth 6: I’m young and reasonably fit, so I don’t need to worry about my cholesterol.
Fact: High cholesterol affects people of all sizes, body types and fitness levels. You’re at risk — regardless of age, weight or fitness level — if you have a family history of high cholesterol, diabetes and/or a sedentary lifestyle.
If you’re concerned about your cholesterol levels or have been diagnosed with high cholesterol, partner with the MNPS Health Care Centers. We can help you keep it in check through:
Testing and follow-up visits
Health coaching to explore lifestyle modifications
Medication – your provider may prescribe a statin or other medication to control your cholesterol
Make an appointment by calling 615-259-8755, or schedule online.
Sources: Mayo Clinic; Johns Hopkins Medicine; Harvard Health; American Heart Association; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention