About 12% of adults and 7% of teens in the United States have high cholesterol, which is a risk factor for heart disease. Many people with high cholesterol have a hard time improving their numbers. Board-certified internal medicine physician Suresh Malik, MD, and the team at Quality Primary Care in Rockville, Maryland, specialize in the treatment of uncontrolled cholesterol. They take an integrative approach to care and work closely with you to develop a plan that lowers your cholesterol and improves your overall health. Call the office or book an appointment online today.
Cholesterol is a type of fat produced by your liver and found in every cell in your body. You need cholesterol to make vitamin D, various hormones, and bile (which helps you digest fat). Your body produces all the cholesterol it needs to perform these functions.
But, if you have too much cholesterol in your blood, the waxy fat may combine with other substances and create plaque, which then sticks to your blood vessel walls.
Over time, the buildup of plaque causes your blood vessels to narrow and stiffen, leading to atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease.
There are many factors that cause uncontrolled blood cholesterol. Some of these factors you can’t control, but some you can.
Common causes of uncontrolled cholesterol include:
Your risk of developing uncontrolled cholesterol increases as you get older because of changes in your body chemistry. However, high cholesterol affects people of all ages, including teens.
The team at Quality Primary Care specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of high blood cholesterol. When you visit the internal medicine practice, the team takes time getting to know you and your health concerns so they can develop a comprehensive treatment plan.
During your cholesterol evaluation, your provider reviews your diet and exercise habits, daily stresses, and your personal and family medical history. To assess your cholesterol level, your provider runs a lipid profile test.
The lipid profile is a blood test that measures your:
The information provided by the lipid profile helps the team determine if you have high cholesterol.
The team at Quality Primary Care takes an integrative approach to help you gain control over your cholesterol. They work closely with you to help you make the lifestyle changes needed to improve your numbers, which may include:
If your cholesterol levels remain elevated after implementing lifestyle changes, the team may prescribe medications to help lower your cholesterol and your risk of heart disease.
For help with managing your cholesterol, call Quality Primary Care or request an appointment online today.