High Cholesterol
What it is and how to treat it.
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a fatty compound naturally produced primarily in the liver. It is responsible for aiding in proper cell function, regulating certain hormones in the body, helping with digestion and with the production of vitamin D. When cholesterol levels in the body are at an optimal level, cell membranes are fluid, protected and interact easily with other cells for an overall healthy body.
In addition to what our bodies naturally produce, what we eat also affects our cholesterol levels, and cholesterol is only found in animal products.
There are two types of cholesterol, HDL (high-density lipoprotein) and LDL (low-density lipoprotein). HDL is considered “good” because it helps eliminate excess fat from the body. LDL is considered “bad” because it builds up along your artery walls, blocking blood flow. Too much LDL and not enough HDL can increase your risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke.
What causes high cholesterol?
When cholesterol levels in the body are out of balance, the result is high cholesterol. Contributing factors for high cholesterol include diet, exercise, genetics and certain diseases. Many people suffer from an overproduction of cholesterol in their bodies as a result of thyroid, kidney or liver diseases, or if they have a family history of high cholesterol. Lifestyle choices - such as how much saturated fats we ingest, how much we exercise and our smoking and drinking habits - also affect these levels.
What are the treatment options?
Dietary and Lifestyle Changes – Exercise increases HDL, while a diet low in trans fats and saturated fats and high in fiber reduces LDL. The more you replace meats, dairy and other animal products with whole grains and vegetables, the healthier you are more likely to be. Smoking increases LDL, and while alcohol (in moderation) increases HDL, too much of it can cause liver damage – where cholesterol is produced.
Medication – Statins are a class of drugs designed to help lower cholesterol by reducing its production in the liver and in absorbing excess cholesterol that has accumulated along the artery walls. Most common statin drugs include Lipitor, Crestor and Zocor.
How SuncoastRx can help
Prescription drugs can be expensive, with medication such as Crestor costing an average of $172 per month. At SuncoastRx, if we are able to qualify you for an assistance program, we return at least 90% of the saving to you. Now that Crestor is $17 per month, not $155. You pocket $190 or $1,860 per year.
SuncoastRx is a new, fee-based consumer advocacy service that helps people who have difficulty paying for the prescription drugs that their doctor has prescribed. They identify programs that help you get your expensive medication for free - or for a very low cost - compared to the retail cost you might have to pay if you are uninsured.
Learn more about SuncoastRX