Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women worldwide? Two common conditions that increase risk of heart disease are high cholesterol and high blood pressure (clinically referred to as hyperlipidemia and hypertension, respectively).
Roughly 38% of American adults have high cholesterol, and more than 43% have high blood pressure. To reduce your chances of developing heart disease, it’s important to understand the effects of cholesterol and blood pressure and how you can keep both under control.
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High Cholesterol and
High Blood Pressure: What You Need To Know
High Cholesterol and Blood Pressure
High Cholesterol and Blood Pressure
Roughly 38% of American adults have high cholesterol, and more than 43% have high blood pressure.
What is cholesterol and how is it dangerous?
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance produced by the liver when you eat foods such as meat, seafood, and dairy. Despite its unhealthy reputation, not all cholesterol is bad for you. “Good cholesterol,” clinically known as high-density lipoprotein (HDL), is essential for building healthy cells. However, high levels of “bad cholesterol,” or low-density lipoprotein (LDL), can gradually clog your arteries, interrupt blood flow, and possibly lead to heart attack or stroke.
How are cholesterol and blood pressure related?
When cholesterol clogs your arteries, your heart needs to work harder to get your blood flowing, which can lead to high blood pressure. Over time, high blood pressure can damage your arteries by tearing the artery walls. In addition to heart disease, this kind of damage to your arteries can also lead to vision loss and kidney disease.
High Cholesterol and Blood Pressure
High Cholesterol and Blood Pressure
How can I reduce my cholesterol and blood pressure?
If you’re struggling with high cholesterol and high blood pressure, a few diet and lifestyle changes can set you on a healthier path. Eating heart-healthy foods like walnuts and oatmeal, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight can reduce your cholesterol and blood pressure, along with your risk of heart disease.
Prescription medicine and additional guidance from your health care provider may also be necessary to get your cholesterol and blood pressure back down to healthy levels.
If you’re concerned about your cholesterol and blood pressure, schedule an appointment with your Primary Care Provider (PCP) or an ACPNY cardiologist today.