High cholesterol doesn’t just clog your arteries, it can also cause heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, and other dangerous health complications. High cholesterol doesn’t always cause symptoms, but Saka Kazeem, MD, and his professional team at Elk Medical have the knowledge and skills to diagnose high cholesterol and provide effective treatment. Serving the community of Crown Heights, Brooklyn, in New York City, Elk Medical offers ongoing cholesterol management tailored to your personal needs. To schedule a consultation, call the office today or make an appointment online.
Cholesterol is a fatty substance known as a lipid that’s produced by your liver and assists in the production of cell membranes, some hormones, and vitamin D. Your body produces two kinds of cholesterol — high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL).
Cholesterol treatment targets LDL, the “bad” cholesterol. Too much LDL in your blood means you have a condition called hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol). High LDL can eventually clog your blood vessels, leading to high blood pressure and other health complications that can become life-threatening.
High cholesterol can be caused by genetic factors, but most of the time, it occurs as a result of eating a diet high in animal products and saturated fat and leading a sedentary lifestyle.
Other things that can contribute to high cholesterol include:
As you age, your risk of developing high cholesterol increases.
As cholesterol builds up in your arteries, it can lead to complications like:
Because many patients with high cholesterol never have symptoms, you should have your cholesterol checked regularly. A simple blood test can monitor cholesterol levels and provide an accurate diagnosis of high cholesterol.
When Dr. Kazeem determines that you have high cholesterol, he designs a personalized care plan to address your specific condition. Your cholesterol management plan can include:
Dr. Kazeem also recommends preventive cardiology care for patients diagnosed with high cholesterol. This not only helps prevent heart failure, but it also helps prevent renal (kidney) failure, which can be caused by cardiac conditions brought on by high cholesterol.
With proper cholesterol management, Dr. Kazeem and his team at Elk Medical can help you continue to lead a robust, active life despite your diagnosis of high cholesterol. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call Elk Medical today or request an appointment online.