Why Cholesterol Matters for Brain Health
High cholesterol is a risk factor because it can slowly damage your brain, heart, liver, and kidneys over time.
This happens when “bad” fats in your blood, such as LDL cholesterol, are too high, and “good” HDL cholesterol is too low.
High cholesterol has no symptoms. You can’t feel it happening. The only way to know your cholesterol levels is through a blood test done at a lab or doctor’s office.
You Have Control
High cholesterol usually develops over time, but you can take steps to slow it down or improve it. Doctors often start by recommending lifestyle changes.
- Make Healthy Food Choices: What you eat matters. Improving your nutrition may be one of the most powerful ways to lower your cholesterol. You can start with a small step by swapping out one of your meals with red meat, for a lean protein option (e.g., chicken, turkey).
- Add Exercise: Moving your body helps your muscles and improves how your body uses energy. This can help lower cholesterol levels. Taking some time to walk more, do squats or jumping jacks in your home, can help.
- Track Your Progress: To check if your habit changes are working, you will need a follow-up blood test in one to three months.
Partnering With Your Doctor
When you talk with your doctor about high cholesterol, they may also check for other health conditions like high blood pressure or high blood sugar. These conditions are often connected and affect each other. Looking at the whole picture helps your doctor create a treatment plan that fits you.
- Medication Is a Proactive Step: If your doctor prescribes medication, such as statins, this is a smart and proactive choice. You are using every tool available to protect your brain and long-term health.
- Options Are Available: Some people worry about side effects from statins. It’s important to know there are different types of statins and other non-statin medications that may work well for you.
- Communicate Openly: Let your doctor know if you notice any side effects. Changes in dose or medication type are common, but your doctor can only help if they know how you’re feeling.
Getting your cholesterol into a healthy range — and keeping it there — is an important step in protecting your future brain health.
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