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Are Diet and Exercise Enough to Manage High Cholesterol?

Loudoun Walk In Medical Center Blog Are Diet and Exercise Enough to Manage High Cholesterol?
Are Diet and Exercise Enough to Manage High Cholesterol?

You likely know that high LDL, commonly referred to as “bad cholesterol,” puts you at increased risk for heart disease and stroke. What you may not know is that high cholesterol has no symptoms until a major medical event occurs. 

For most adults, an LDL level of 130 mg/dL or higher is considered the danger zone. 

But the only way to know your numbers is through regular screenings. At Louden Walk-In Medical Center, led by Fuad Alykhan, MD, a cholesterol panel is part of your annual physical. 

Even patients who follow a healthy diet and exercise can be surprised to learn their cholesterol counts put them at risk. 

Dr. Alykhan has helped countless patients lower their cholesterol. Here’s what he wants you to know about doing that and why it’s important.

Plague build-up

LDL builds up in the arteries, forming plaque that narrows blood flow pathways. In addition to heart disease and stroke, high cholesterol can contribute to other chronic issues, including:

If your initial results are high, or if you have specific health conditions, Dr. Alykhan may suggest testing your cholesterol every 6 months.

The impact of diet and exercise on LDL

For most people, lifestyle changes can lower LDL (bad) cholesterol by approximately 5% to 15%. But only about 25% to 30% of people with high cholesterol can reach their target numbers through diet and exercise alone successfully. 

Genetics is more responsible than originally thought. About 1 in 311 adults has a genetic condition called familial hypercholesterolemia, which causes very high LDL levels regardless of lifestyle choices. 

As for exercise, cardio and strength training are excellent for raising your HDL (good) cholesterol, which helps clear fat from your arteries. However, exercise doesn’t always significantly lower your LDL. But it can change the size and density of your LDL particles.

Regular exercise converts small, dense LDL particles, which are the most dangerous, into larger, fluffier ones, which are less likely to cause blockages. Regular exercise can reduce LDL levels by up to 10% in many patients.

When medications are necessary 

When lifestyle changes aren't enough, Dr. Alykhan, MD, may recommend statin medication. Some 92 million Americans, representing about 35% of the adult population, take a statin. They work by blocking a substance your liver needs to make cholesterol and by helping your liver remove it from your blood.

Statins can reduce the risk of a second heart attack by about 30% or more and lower the risk of a first heart attack by about 25%.

If you’re overdue for a cholesterol screening or have a family history of heart disease, contact Louden Walk-In Medical Center today.