Why ldl cholesterol increases

With this in mind, most physicians use generalized measurements to decide on treatment plans. They may categorize these measurements as desirable, borderline high, or high cholesterol. According to the National Library of Medicine , the total cholesterol of most adults can be categorized as:.

Again, these measurements are general. You and your doctor will consider other personal factors before deciding on a treatment plan. Your body needs some cholesterol to function properly, including some LDL. But if your LDL levels are too high, it can raise your risk of serious health problems. In , the American College of Cardiologists and the American Heart Association updated their recommendations for the treatment of high cholesterol. Under the new guidelines, in addition to your cholesterol levels, treatment recommendations analyze other risk factors for heart disease, such as family history and other health issues.

Without treatment, high cholesterol can cause plaque to build up in your arteries. Over time, this plaque can narrow your arteries. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a serious condition. It can limit the flow of blood through your arteries. It also raises your risk of developing dangerous blood clots. High cholesterol can also create a bile imbalance, raising your risk of gallstones. See the other ways that high cholesterol can impact your body. If you have high cholesterol, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes to help lower it.

For instance, they may recommend changes to your diet, exercise habits, or other aspects of your daily routine. If you smoke, they will likely advise you to quit. Your doctor may also prescribe medications or other treatments to help lower your cholesterol levels. In some cases, they may refer you to a specialist for more care.

To help you achieve and maintain healthy cholesterol levels, your doctor may recommend changes to your diet. Eating fish and other foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids may also help lower your LDL levels. For example, salmon, mackerel, and herring are rich sources of omega-3s.

Walnuts, almonds, ground flaxseeds, and avocados also contain omega-3s. Statins are the most commonly prescribed medications for high cholesterol. They block your liver from producing more cholesterol.

One example is a combination of ezetimibe and simvastatin Vytorin. Learn more about the drugs used to treat high cholesterol. In some cases, you may be able to lower your cholesterol levels without taking medications. For example, it may be enough to eat a nutritious diet, exercise regularly, and avoid smoking tobacco products.

Some people also claim that certain herbal and nutritional supplements may help lower cholesterol levels. For instance, claims have been made about:. However, the level of evidence supporting these claims varies. More research is needed to learn if they can help treat this condition. Always talk with your doctor before taking any herbal or nutritional supplements. However, lifestyle factors can be managed.

In most cases, high cholesterol has no symptoms. Do all you can to reduce your risk for the serious effects of heart attack and stroke. Written by American Heart Association editorial staff and reviewed by science and medicine advisers. See our editorial policies and staff. About Cholesterol. Causes of High Cholesterol. Prevention and Treatment of High Cholesterol. Cholesterol Tools and Resources. Cholesterol Podcasts.

A person who does not undergo testing may have a heart attack without warning, because they did not know that they had high cholesterol levels. Regular tests can help to reduce this risk. A report from Harvard Health has identified 11 cholesterol-lowering foods that actively decrease cholesterol levels:. Various low cholesterol recipe books are available to purchase online. HDL levels should be kept higher.

People who wish to reduce their cholesterol levels or maintain a suitable level can make four major lifestyle decisions. Since , guidelines on reducing or preventing high cholesterol have focused on addressing lifestyle risks, even at a young age. Taking these factors into consideration will lead to a more personalized approach to the treatment and prevention of high cholesterol levels. For a person with high cholesterol levels, drug treatment will depend on their cholesterol level and other risk factors.

Recommendatoins usually start with diet and exercise, but people with a higher risk of a heart attack may need to use statins or other medications. Statins are the leading group of cholesterol-lowering drugs.

The statins available on prescription in the United States include:. In , researchers noted that a new drug, ezetimibe, can significantly reduce the risk of a major cardiovascular event in people with a high risk of such events. Etezimibe reduces lipid levels by limiting the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine.

There is evidence that these drugs are effective at reducing cholesterol levels, especially when a person uses them with ezetimibe. If a person has already had a cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack, a doctor may recommend using ezetimibe as well as a statin.

For those at very high risk, the guidelines also recommend adding a PCSK9 inhibitor. However, the guidelines also note that PCSK9 inhibitors are expensive, and insurance companies may not cover their cost. For this reason, this option is likely to be only for those with a very high risk. A person should not stop taking a statin without speaking to a doctor, as they may increase their risk of cardiovascular problems. Randomized, controlled clinical trials have not produced enough evidence to support treatment to a specific target.

Guidelines published in consider this calculator and essential tool for assessing cholesterol levels and their risk. Read this article to find out the….