Cholesterol Specialist
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The Alpine Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, PC
Endocrinology & Diabetes and Obesity Specialists located in Superior, CO
Almost 30 million adults in the United States have high or borderline-high cholesterol levels. High cholesterol may indicate that you’re at risk of heart disease or other serious health concerns. At The Alpine Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, PC, serving patients in Superior, Longmont, Boulder, and Westminster, Colorado, Sarah Sato, NP, and Christopher R. Fox, MD, provide comprehensive lipid assessments to determine your risk of disease and offer treatment accordingly. To schedule your cholesterol evaluation, call the office or book online.
Cholesterol Q & A
When is high cholesterol diagnosed?
When you have too many lipids in your blood, you’re diagnosed with high cholesterol. Some cholesterol is natural and helps you build new cells. Levels that are too high, however, can put you at risk of disease.
When you have high cholesterol, fatty deposits have the potential to clog your blood vessels, increasing your risk of heart disease and stroke.
A cholesterol level below 200 mg/dl is considered normal, but your ratios of HDL to LDL and triglyceride levels also have an impact on your health.
At The Alpine Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, PC, you receive a comprehensive lipid assessment. The results dictate a plan to help you minimize the risk of heart disease, vascular disease, and dementia.
What are LDL and HDL?
Your total cholesterol number is important, but so are its components: HDL and LDL. High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are considered a “good” type of cholesterol that removes fatty deposits from your arteries.
Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) form the “bad” kind of cholesterol, which increases fatty deposits and raises your risk of developing blockages that endanger your health. Your total cholesterol can be below 200 mg/dL, but if you have too much LDL or too little HDL, you’re at risk of disease. Ideally, you want LDL levels below 100 mg/dL or HDL levels about 60 mg/dL.
What are triglycerides?
Triglycerides are a type of fat compound found in your blood. They store unused calories and provide your body with energy. A normal level is less than 150 mg/dL, and if your levels are higher than this, you’re at increased risk of disease.
Who is at risk of high cholesterol or high triglycerides?
High cholesterol can result from genetics. Other risk factors include:
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Smoking
- Diet high in saturated fat
- Obesity
Your cholesterol levels are routinely monitored at annual wellness visits because high cholesterol or triglycerides don’t cause noticeable symptoms. If you haven’t had your cholesterol tested recently, you can have a comprehensive lipid panel done at The Alpine Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, PC.
How are high cholesterol and high triglycerides evaluated and treated?
Your lipid levels are tested with a simple fasting blood test. If your levels are found to be unhealthy, putting you at risk of cardiovascular disease or dementia, the staff works with you to develop a treatment plan tailored to your physiology and tolerances.
This plan may include dietary changes, such as adding more fresh whole foods, and possibly medications to lower your cholesterol levels. However, medications should be a complement to healthy lifestyle changes, not a replacement.
If you’re concerned about your cholesterol levels, contact The Alpine Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, PC. Call today for a consultation or book online.
