High Cholesterol

If you have high cholesterol, chances are you don’t know it. That’s why scheduling a checkup with board-certified family medicine physician Francis Kane, MD, at Precision First Healthcare in Sebring, Florida, is so important. Dr. Kane and the team provide cholesterol screenings to ensure your levels are where they should be. They also have the expertise to provide treatment as needed. Book an appointment today by phone or online.

What is high cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a fatty substance present in your bloodstream, necessary for creating healthy cells. Despite its importance, elevated cholesterol levels can heighten the risk of heart disease. 

The two main types of cholesterol are low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). HDL is often called "good" cholesterol because it helps remove other forms of cholesterol from your bloodstream. LDL, known as "bad" cholesterol, can build up in the walls of your arteries, making them hard and narrow.

Why is high cholesterol dangerous to my health?

High cholesterol is dangerous because it leads to fatty buildup in your blood vessels. These deposits, known as plaque, can narrow your arteries, making it difficult for blood to flow through them. This condition, called atherosclerosis, can result in several serious health problems. 

If a plaque ruptures, it can form a blood clot. This can block blood flow to a part of your heart or brain, leading to a heart attack or stroke. High cholesterol also increases your risk of peripheral artery disease and can cause chronic kidney disease by damaging blood vessels in the kidneys.

Are there symptoms of high cholesterol?

High cholesterol typically doesn’t have symptoms, which is why it’s often called a "silent" condition. Most people don’t know they have high cholesterol until they undergo a blood test. 

Regular checkups and blood tests at Precision First Healthcare are essential for early detection and management of high cholesterol to prevent serious health complications.

How is high cholesterol treated?

At Precision First Healthcare, Dr. Kane’s treatment recommendations for high cholesterol may begin with making lifestyle changes that focus on eating a heart-healthy diet (low in saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol), exercising, controlling your weight, and quitting smoking (if you do).

He may also prescribe medications such as:

• Statins (commonly prescribed to lower LDL cholesterol)
• Cholesterol absorption inhibitor (helps reduce the amount of cholesterol your body absorbs from food)
• Bile acid sequestrants (help remove cholesterol from the bloodstream)
• PCSK9 inhibitors (medications that help the liver absorb more LDL cholesterol)

Regular monitoring and consultations with Dr. Kane can help manage high cholesterol effectively. 

To learn more about high cholesterol or to book a screening, call the friendly staff during business hours or use the online scheduler anytime, day or night.