What Kind of Doctor Should I See for High Cholesterol?

An estimated 28 million U.S. adults have a high total cholesterol level of ≥ 240 mg/dL. High cholesterol is linked to many serious health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Knowing how to treat your high cholesterol and which health provider to partner with to manage your illness will help you control your condition and improve your health.

Cholesterol is a substance found in the bloodstream. The body uses cholesterol to create healthy cells, but when cholesterol levels get too high, it increases the risk of heart disease. An individual’s total cholesterol is high if it is at or above 240 mg/dL.

When an individual has high cholesterol, fatty deposits can build up over time in the blood vessels making it more difficult for blood to flow through the arteries.

Testing for high cholesterol occurs through a lipid panel, which is a type of blood test. The test measures the levels of different kinds of cholesterol and fats found in the blood, such as those listed below.

Each has a reference range of values, and anything outside of the reference range value is considered abnormal.

Cholesterol is a silent killer as a person cannot feel if their cholesterol levels are too high. Unlike other chronic conditions such as asthma or arthritis, a person can live years without having any obvious signs of illness. High cholesterol raises the risk of heart disease and, if left untreated, often leads to serious health complications, including a heart attack, stroke, or even death.

High cholesterol can be inherited, but it often results from lifestyle choices, making it both preventable and treatable. A healthy diet, regular exercise, and in some instances, medication can help lower an individual’s levels.

Some risk factors include things that individuals can control, like diet and exercise; however, there are other factors that cannot be influenced, such as age, gender, or genetics.

Factors like those below place an individual at elevated risk for high cholesterol.

The risk of high cholesterol increase s as individuals age, and adults ages 65 and older tend to have higher cholesterol levels than adults ages 18-44. The American Heart Association recommends all individuals ages 20 and over have their cholesterol checked at least every 4-6 years.

There are generally no overt signs or symptoms of high cholesterol. What is more likely to occur is noticeable symptoms connected to other health complications derived from high cholesterol.

For example, high cholesterol may cause an individual to develop high blood pressure. Therefore, the symptoms one may experience from elevated blood pressure include fatigue, difficulty breathing, headaches, vision problems, irregular heartbeats, and even chest pains.

In some instances, the symptoms a person experiences result from more severe complications stemming from the onset of a heart attack or stroke, such as blurred vision, paralysis, or impaired cognitive function.

When fatty cholesterol deposits break off suddenly, they can form a clot that triggers a heart attack or stroke.

While high cholesterol alone is not a heart condition for life insurance purposes, it often leads to a heart condition called coronary artery disease, making cholesterol levels a factor when companies consider coverage or calculate premiums.

Life insurance companies consider risk when deciding whether to grant coverage and calculating your premiums. Companies use your medical history and sometimes even require a medical exam to help determine their risk.

Because high cholesterol can put you at risk for heart attacks and strokes, insurance companies consider it a risk factor. If your cholesterol is high or you have other health issues, you will likely pay more for coverage than someone with normal cholesterol levels.

Things you can do to improve your chances of approval or lower rates even if your cholesterol remains elevated is to show it is well managed under the care of a primary care provider and with exercise or medication.

Since high cholesterol increases your risk of heart disease, it is vital to see your primary care physician. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US.

Lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise are the most common elements of a provider’s recommended treatment plan. Your primary provider may prescribe cholesterol-lowering drugs when lifestyle changes are insufficient to reduce cholesterol levels.

Chronic disease is an illness lasting a year or more that requires ongoing medical treatment. Primary care physicians are the best choice for individuals with chronic health conditions because they support continuity of care and coordinate when needed with outside specialists. Primary care physicians receive training on treating various chronic illnesses during their residency.

Our goal at Colorado Primary Healthcare is to give our patients a convenient solution for all their medical needs. If you are searching for a primary care physician to treat your high cholesterol, we invite you to book an appointment using our online form or by calling our office at (303) 703-8583.

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