Cholesterol is a tricky subject. Your body needs cholesterol but not too much. There is good cholesterol and bad cholesterol. Too much cholesterol will cause plaque to build up in your arteries and can make it difficult for blood to get to your heart. This is called angina and it can cause pain. A heart attack will occur if your blood supply is completely blocked. If you are looking for assistance with adult care services, At Home Senior Care in Newton would be happy to help.
Talk to Your Doctor
The first step in dealing with cholesterol is speaking to your doctor and having necessary tests. From there you will learn what your good and bad cholesterol levels are. You will want to lower your bad cholesterol such as your LDL and triglycerides which is stored as fat cells in your body. Keeping your cholesterol in check is important. If you are caring for a loved one with cholesterol basics and need help, At Home Senior Care associates are trained to assist with medical issues.
How to Keep Cholesterol in Check
Your doctor can help you come up with a plan that will lower your cholesterol and cut your risk for heart disease. Healthy eating and exercise are important and the fastest way to improve your health. Foods like walnuts, tuna, tofu and oatmeal are optimal. Avoid foods that are high in saturated fats, trans fats and simple sugars. Stop smoking and start exercising. Even walking can be beneficial. Some doctor prescribed medications can lower cholesterol. If you are caring for loved ones and need assistance with senior care, At Home Senior Care can provide services to help you.
Risk Factors
Some risk factors you can change and some you have no control over. You are at higher risk for high cholesterol if: you are a male age 45 or older, a female age 55 or older, if you have a family history of early heart disease. Risk factors you can change include; smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, physical inactivity and diabetes.