You feel fine. You aren’t experiencing any unusual symptoms. You exercise when you can and try to eat reasonably well. Should you worry about your cholesterol?
High cholesterol often doesn’t make you feel any different. You can have high cholesterol and feel completely healthy. That’s one reason routine checkups and cholesterol testing are so important.
High cholesterol doesn’t always come with a warning sign
Many health problems cause noticeable symptoms. High cholesterol usually isn’t one of them.
You generally can’t tell by how you feel whether your cholesterol is high. And even feeling healthy doesn’t necessarily mean your cholesterol levels are where they should be.
The only way to know your cholesterol levels is to have them checked through a blood test.
Why does high cholesterol matter?
Cholesterol is important for your body, but too much LDL cholesterol can contribute to plaque buildup in your arteries. Think of your arteries as the roads that carry blood throughout your body. When plaque builds up along the walls of those arteries, the pathway can become narrower.
Over time, this plaque buildup can increase the risk of cardiovascular problems, including heart attack and stroke. And this process can happen without causing obvious symptoms.
Your cholesterol can be affected by more than what you eat.
Factors that can play a role include:
- Family history
- Age
- Physical activity
- Weight
- Certain health conditions
- Certain medications
- Diet
- Smoking
Some people may have higher cholesterol partly because of genetics, even if they make healthy lifestyle choices. Managing cholesterol isn’t one-size-fits-all.
A healthy lifestyle matters
Not having symptoms doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do. Regular physical activity, eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding tobacco can all support cardiovascular health.
For some people, lifestyle changes may be enough to improve cholesterol levels. For others, medication may also be recommended based on risks your provider sees. Your provider can help determine what’s right for you.
One of the most important things to understand about cholesterol is that you don’t have to feel sick for it to matter. Routine healthcare visits and blood draws, like at the CCMH Wellness Screening, give you an opportunity to check your cholesterol and other important health measures before a problem begins.
Knowing your numbers gives you information you can actually use.
Talk with your primary care provider about your cholesterol, your cardiovascular risk and whether you’re due for screening. Call 712-265-2700 to schedule an appointment with your provider.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Talk with your healthcare provider about your individual screening needs and risk factors.
