Key Takeaways
- Managing cholesterol is an important part of preventing heart disease in adults.
- Both genetics and lifestyle choices like diet and exercise factor into how cholesterol levels are managed.
- Eating healthy and getting regular exercise help a lot with managing cholesterol. Talk with a primary care provider about other options if this isn’t enough.
When unexpected situations arise, you or someone you know might need a different type of medical care than seeing a primary care provider. No matter what situation you are experiencing, we have you covered.
The best way to prevent heart disease is by taking care of your heart daily with small, simple steps such as healthy eating, regular exercise, and knowing your blood pressure & cholesterol numbers.
Together with the American Heart Association, Rochester Regional Health is encouraging people to take control of their heart health by taking preventative steps. This conversation is part of the Red Chair Series – a series of conversations with leaders in healthcare highlighting heart disease prevention with a focus on many areas, including preventive care, rural health, women’s health, genetics, and maternal & infant mortality.
As the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart health for all, AHA strives to help everyone take on health challenges through a series of key initiatives aimed at reducing health disparities. Gaurav Sharma, MD, is a general cardiologist specializing in prevention with Rochester Regional Health. He explains how to prevent heart disease by focusing on managing cholesterol.
How cholesterol affects our heart health
Cholesterol, a waxy substance found in blood vessels throughout the body, is an important part of how we function every day. We need cholesterol to help make cells, hormones, vitamins, and more to keep our bodies healthy and working normally.
There are two types of cholesterol: HDL and LDL. HDL – the ‘good’ cholesterol – is protective and may help to remove some cholesterol from the bloodstream and return it to the liver to be broken down. LDL – the ‘bad’ cholesterol – is the one that can build up deposits of plaque in the arteries – making the walls narrow and harder for blood to pass through.
Our cholesterol level is influenced by several factors, including genetics, diet, exercise, and smoking.
“Over time, if cholesterol is left unchecked, it can lead to things like heart attacks and strokes and sometimes even death related to heart disease,” Dr. Sharma said.
How to manage cholesterol risk factors
Cholesterol is influenced by a combination of lifestyle choices and genetics. A healthy, well-balanced diet and regular exercise go a long way in preventing heart disease and other complications later in life.
Eating more fruits and vegetables, and fewer red meats and processed foods is a good place to start. The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of regular physical activity each week as a way to keep your heart strong and healthy.
While these lifestyle choices are important in managing cholesterol, genetics also play a strong role in how our bodies produce cholesterol. Some people are more likely to have high cholesterol naturally, which means they may need supplements or medication to lower their levels.
Social and economic factors are also important to consider. For people who work multiple jobs, time may not allow them to exercise frequently or schedule a doctor’s appointment. Those who don’t have enough income might not be able to buy fruits and vegetables.
While people cannot control all factors in their lives when it comes to their heart health, making simple choices like taking the stairs over an elevator or parking further away from a building to walk more make a big difference over time.
“We know small steps matter a lot,” Dr. Sharma said. “Making small incremental increases in exercise and healthy eating can lead to profound health benefits. If we can add an extra vegetable a day try to avoid a bag of chips or a cookie, that will lead to better health outcomes overall.”
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