Cholesterol helps your body in many ways: building new cells, producing hormones and insulating nerves. Although the liver makes all the cholesterol your body needs, it can also enter the body from the food you consume, such as animal-based products like eggs, milk, and meat.

High levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol may increase your risk of suffering from a cardiovascular disease, according to a study published online by the Circulation. Researchers evaluated data from more than 36,000 patients who had no history of cardiovascular disease or diabetes and were classified as low risk for developing the disease within the next ten years. By tracking participants for over 27 years, they found that individuals with LDL levels of 160 or higher were 70% to 90% more likely to suffer from a cardiovascular disease than those with LDL levels below 100. Our holistic cardiologist in Nassau County can address this issue from a holistic approach.

What is LDL?

Since cholesterol cannot dissolve in your blood, it’s carried by proteins called lipoproteins. LDL, low-density lipoprotein, is a blob which makes up the outer rim of the lipoprotein and a cholesterol center. The reason why LDL is “bad” is because it becomes part of plaque which can clog the arteries, increasing the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes.

What LDL Test Results Mean

You can’t control when you’re going to have a heart attack, but having higher levels of LDL increases your odds of heart disease. You can now cut those odds by putting an emphasis on lowering your LDL cholesterol to a certain percentage. This percentage is based on how likely you are to have a heart disease or stroke. The chance of these problems occurring within the upcoming ten years can be based off of:

  • Age
  • Cholesterol level
  • Blood pressure
  • Whether you’re a smoker/non-smoker
  • Whether you do/do not take blood pressure medicine

Each of these factors affects your chance of having a heart problem, and other risks include a family history of heart disease and diabetes.

How to lower your cholesterol

Healthy eating patterns with low dietary cholesterol can reduce the risk of heart disease in adults, according to studies in the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. You can also reduce your intake of saturated fats and simple carbs such as sugar and white bread. Adding fiber and plant sterols, such as nuts, into your diet can also lower your numbers, as can exercise.

Holistic Cardiologist in Nassau County

If you have high levels of LDL, book an appointment with our holistic cardiologist in Nassau County to get your cholesterol under control. We can work with you to achieve the health goals you are striving for.