Online Treatment for High Cholesterol: Medication, Diet, and Exercise

High Cholesterol is a fatty substance in the blood that increases the chances of cardiovascular disease. It can also increase the risk of other conditions due to accumulated plaque in blood vessels. But how can you get treatment for high cholesterol? Read more to find out.

Women who are going through menopause can also experience an increase in bad cholesterol levels.

Other diseases linked to high cholesterol include high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, and stroke.

High cholesterol is caused by various factors, namely eating a lot of red meat or organic meat and dairy products, which can lead to obesity.

This increases the risk of health conditions, so discussing it with a doctor and maintaining an active lifestyle can help you stay healthy long-term.

What Does it Mean to Have High Cholesterol?

High cholesterol is the high amount of fatty substance in your blood. It is a fatty wax-like substance created by the liver and traveling through the body in your blood. Your body needs it to make hormones and digest food.

Too much cholesterol can damage or cause build-up in blood vessels – experts call it “plaque.”

As this plaque builds up, it makes the passage of blood narrow. When the blood doesn’t flow to the heart or other organs in your body, you can experience health conditions like a heart attack or stroke.

The food you eat also contains cholesterol, so it is recommended to maintain a low-cholesterol diet for better health.

Many people do not experience any symptoms. 

Therefore, managing cholesterol involves maintaining a healthy lifestyle, dietary changes, and regular exercise.

What are the Causes of High Cholesterol?

Before we learn about the causes, let us understand the difference between ‘good’ cholesterol and ‘bad’ cholesterol.

Cholesterol is of two types: 

• LDL (low-density lipoprotein) 
• HDL (high-density lipoprotein)

LDL is considered “bad” cholesterol as it increases heart disease and stroke risk. 

Conversely, HDL is considered “good” cholesterol as it removes LDL from the body, reducing cardiovascular risks.

Hence, it often stems from lifestyle factors, as the body produces sufficient cholesterol. 

Yet, certain genetic predispositions, medical conditions, and medications may contribute to increased cholesterol levels.

While high cholesterol can occur at any age, it is more frequently diagnosed among individuals aged 40 to 59. 

Specific ethnicities show a higher likelihood of experiencing elevated cholesterol, and males are more susceptible than females.

Here are some factors contributing to high cholesterol:

Unhealthy Lifestyle Habits:

• Consuming excessive foods rich in saturated fats
• Inadequate physical activity
• Smoking
• Elevated stress levels
• Excessive alcohol consumption

Family Medical History

Genetics plays a role in cholesterol elevation, especially if there’s a family history of unhealthy cholesterol levels. 

Some individuals may struggle to reduce additional cholesterol in their bodies.

Medical Conditions

Certain health conditions heighten the risk of high cholesterol, including:

• Chronic kidney disease
• Diabetes
• HIV infection
• Hypothyroidism
• Lupus
• Overweight and obesity
• Sleep apnea
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Medications

Some medications can disrupt cholesterol levels, such as:

• Arrhythmia medications
• Chemotherapy
• Diuretics
• Retinoids
• Steroids

How to Prevent High Cholesterol?

You can have treatment for high cholesterol by making several lifestyle modifications:

• Reduce the intake of fatty, processed, and fried foods.
• Engage in regular moderate-intensity exercise for at least 30 minutes.
• Consume a lot of fiber-rich foods like fruits and vegetables.
• Opt for lean proteins like fish and chicken to reduce saturated fat intake.
• Maintain a moderate weight to mitigate cholesterol risks.
• Limit alcohol consumption and quit smoking.
• Take prescribed medications if lifestyle changes alone are insufficient.
• Manage stress levels and ensure adequate sleep to support heart health.

What is Online Treatment for High Cholesterol?

Maintaining a regular health check-up before searching for treatment for high cholesterol online is best. 

A regular health checkup is suggested to understand if you are suffering from this condition.

In case if you are unable to visit a doctor or want to learn more about maintaining your overall health, you can schedule an online telehealth consultation.

Once booked, a doctor will ask you about your medical history. You can describe your concerns and better understand what fits your needs. 

After you fill out a detailed questionnaire, the doctor will take a consultation and advise you or prescribe medications if you are already suffering from the condition. 

Several telehealth platforms allow individuals to consult healthcare professionals online, receive guidance, and get prescriptions if needed.

They can suggest lifestyle changes and may prescribe medication to manage it effectively.

According to your condition and age, a doctor may suggest cholesterol-lowering solutions for better well-being. Some of these are:

Commonly Prescribed Medications

Statins are the most commonly prescribed medication for managing high cholesterol levels.

They decrease the production of cholesterol in the liver, reducing the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes.

Ezetimibe: It is a medication that reduces the body’s absorption of cholesterol and may be recommended in conjunction with a statin.

Bile acid-binding medications: Attaching to acids within the digestive system, aiding the liver in utilizing excess cholesterol.

Niacin: A vitamin that helps reduce fats produced by the liver, decreasing LDL cholesterol. It’s crucial not to take this vitamin without your doctor’s recommendation.

Omega-3 fatty acids derived from fish oil are supplements that contribute to lowering cholesterol when taken with a healthy diet.

Several medicine-tracking apps are available to help you manage your health and get treatment for high cholesterol. Here are some:

MedAdvisor: This app allows you to manage prescriptions, set reminders for medication doses, order prescription refills, and access medication information.

MyTherapy: MyTherapy is an app that helps your medications, set reminders, and log their doses. You can also share the reports with healthcare providers.

Pillsy: Pillsy is an app that uses smart pill bottles or caps to remind users to take medications and track adherence.

Diet

Low-Cholesterol Foods: Eat low-cholesterol foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats (nuts, seeds, and avocados).

Reduce Trans Fats and Saturated Fats: Reduce foods with high-fat content, such as fried foods, processed snacks, fatty meats, and full-fat dairy products.

Increase Fiber Intake: Eat more foods rich in soluble fiber, such as oats, beans, lentils, fruits, and vegetables.

Exercise

Aerobic Exercise: Regular physical activity, like brisk walking, running, cycling, or swimming, helps increase HDL “good” cholesterol.

Strength Training: Building muscles can also help improve cholesterol levels.

Maintain a Healthy Weight: Being overweight can contribute to higher cholesterol levels, so it’s crucial to maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise.

Conclusion

High cholesterol can impact an individual’s well-being in the long term. Easy and safe options to manage this condition are available.

Incorporate strength training exercises at least twice a week.

Activities like brisk walking, cycling, swimming, or jogging can be beneficial.

In certain cases, online consultations with healthcare professionals before starting treatment for high cholesterol are essential in effectively addressing high cholesterol issues.

They can provide personalized guidance based on your health status and needs.