While it is possible to inherit bad cholesterol, a condition that is called familial hypercholesterolemia, it can also be caused by many lifestyle factors which you have more control over.
So, whether you inherit bad cholesterol or you have it from certain lifestyle choices you've made… or both, you have several options open to you to get your cholesterol levels back down to safer levels.
Your first stop needs to be your doctors office. Your doctor can not only do a blood test to let you know if your cholesterol levels are where they should be, he can also help guide you through the choices of treatment options if your levels aren't where they should be.
Cholesterol can be both "good" and "bad". Ideally, you want normal levels of both but many people have too little of the good (HDL) and too much of the bad (LDL).
If you are worried about taking too many medications you don't need to, you may have other options when it comes to lowering your bad and raising your good cholesterol.
Here are the things you need to keep an eye on:
1. Eat better. Don't eat a lot of foods that are high in saturated fats and cholesterol. Instead, start eating more foods that are low in fat and high in fiber like fruits and vegetables.
2. Get more exercise. It's as simple going for a walk everyday. Eventually, as you get stronger and in better shape, you can add other forms of exercise to your routine.
You don't ever have to start training for marathons, and you may even start to find that you actually like to workout. It may sound crazy now, but it is true.
Once you start seeing the results and start getting stronger you may find that you like it and can't wait to workout.
3. Combine these things and you can accomplish another thing that can help you keep your cholesterol levels in check: get to the proper weight.
It's no big secret that eating better and getting more exercise can really help you shed the pounds.
And, when you are at the proper weight, continuing with these good habits will help you maintain that healthy weight.
You do have other options than just taking medication to control your cholesterol. If, after talking to your doctor, you both decide that medication is your best course of action than that is what you must do.
But, if you can, you may want to try one or more of these other options to get and keep your cholesterol at the proper level.
You can use these things on their own or combine them with a medication. Since many medicines can have some possibly serious side effects, you may want to try to get the results you want without having to rely on prescription medications.
Even if you inherit bad cholesterol you can still live a healthy life and get and keep your cholesterol under control. Just be willing to talk to your doctor and work with him to get the best combination of medications and diet and exercise to get your ideal cholesterol level.
