Cholesterol is defined as a waxy, fat-like substance that is produced naturally by the body. Your body needs cholesterol for the formation of vital cell membranes such as vitamin D and certain types of hormones.<\/p>\n
Cholesterol cannot travel through the blood stream on its own as it cannot dissolve in water. The liver thus produces lipoproteins to help transport the cholesterol. Lipoproteins are made from protein and fat and they transport the cholesterol and triglycerides through the bloodstream. There are two major forms of lipoprotein:<\/p>\n
In cases where your blood has too much LDL cholesterol (cholesterol which is carried by low-density lipoprotein), then this is referred to as high cholesterol. High cholesterol can lead to serious medical conditions such as stroke and heart attack if left untreated.<\/p>\n
There are four main functions of cholesterol and they include:<\/strong><\/p>\n High cholesterol can cause a heart attack and stroke and is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease. Cholesterol build-up is part of what contributes to the narrowing of arteries. This is known as atherosclerosis. Minimizing the intake of fat in the diet helps in managing the cholesterol levels. Limiting foods that contain the following can be helpful:<\/p>\n Conditions that can lead to high cholesterol include:<\/p>\n High cholesterol does not have symptoms but undergoing routine blood tests can help in detecting the high levels.<\/p>\n Your body needs some cholesterol in order to function properly, including some LDL. But if the LDL levels in the body are too high, it can increase your risk of serious medical problems.<\/p>\n You can find out your personal cholesterol recommendation by talking to your doctor. This is because your normal cholesterol levels depend on whether you have a risk factor for heart disease. Treatment recommendations also consider this factor as well as the risk factor for diabetes.<\/p>\n It is recommended that if you do not have the risk factors for heart disease, your physician should prescribe treatment if your LDL is greater than 189 mg\/dl.<\/p>\n Diagnosing high cholesterol involves a blood test to check the cholesterol levels known as a lipid profile or lipid panel. It typically reports:<\/p>\n To get the most accurate measurements, it is recommended not to eat or drink anything \u2013except water — for at least 9-12 hours before the blood sample is collected.<\/p>\n There are various ways to treat high cholesterol. The first form of treatment is lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet and exercising. If this does not improve your cholesterol levels, your doctor might prescribe medication.<\/p>\n The cholesterol medications include:<\/strong><\/p>\n If you have high triglycerides, your doctor may prescribe medications such as fibrates, niacin and omega-3 fatty acid supplements.<\/p>\n At King\u2019s College Hospital Dubai, we focus on offering an exemplary service from initial consultation through to the final diagnosis and treatment and beyond. Our team of expert doctors and nurses are here to offer tailored management and treatment of your condition, and to answer any questions that you might have throughout your time with us. Whatever you need us for, we\u2019re only a phone-call away.<\/p>\n If you\u2019d like to book an appointment, simply fill in the appointment form below.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"parent":2255,"menu_order":600,"template":"","service-category":[],"class_list":["post-4454","service","type-service","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n
Causes of High Cholesterol in the Body<\/h1>\n
\n
\n
Symptoms of High Cholesterol<\/h1>\n
Guidelines for normal cholesterol levels<\/h2>\n
Diagnosis of High Cholesterol<\/h1>\n
\n
Treatment of High Cholesterol<\/h1>\n
\n
Next Step<\/h1>\n