ICT Internal Medicine & Pain Management provides cholesterol management in Wichita KS. Our medical team will assess your risk for heart conditions or stroke based on cholesterol levels and other lifestyle factors. We work with patients to develop a cholesterol treatment and prevention plan customized specifically for them.
High Cholesterol Management
High cholesterol can be inherited, but it’s often caused by unhealthy lifestyle choices, making it a preventable and treatable condition. It can put you at greater risk for heart disease or stroke. Lifestyle changes (such as exercising and eating a healthy diet) are the first steps to manage high cholesterol. These daily adjustments are most important to improve your cholesterol level.
To bring your cholesterol numbers down, losing weight, eating healthy foods and increasing physical activity is a great start. If you’ve made these lifestyle changes and your cholesterol levels are still high, you may need medication for cholesterol management.
Eat Healthy To Manage Cholesterol
Cholesterol levels can be managed by a healthy diet. This includes eating lots of fruits and vegetables, lean meats, fish, fiber, and whole grains. By reducing the amount of saturated fats in your diet and removing all trans fats, patients will lower their cholesterol levels. Avoid eating too much sugar and too many simple carbohydrates as these types of foods increase cholesterol levels. Overall, it is important to make sustainable lifestyle changes and avoid crash diets.
Exercise For Cholesterol Management
Excess weight contributes to high cholesterol. When paired with a nutritious diet, regular exercise is a great method for cholesterol management. When starting a new exercise routine, work up to 30-60 minutes of exercise a day. Always consult with your doctor to discuss what kind and how much exercise is appropriate for you. Aerobic activities such as walking, jogging or swimming offer the best results to managing cholesterol.
Cholesterol Management Using Medication
Sometimes it takes more than a few lifestyle changes to manage your cholesterol. Cholesterol-lowering drugs are most effective when used in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise. Your doctor may suggest a single medication or a combination of medications for managing your cholesterol. Even if cholesterol medication is prescribed, you still need to make changes towards a healthier lifestyle.
Monitoring Cholesterol Levels
Throughout the process of cholesterol management, ICT Internal Medicine and Pain Management tracks your progress and cholesterol levels. When your cholesterol has improved, our team will continue to monitor them to make certain they stay within a healthy range. Over time, adjustments to your cholesterol medication may take place as cholesterol levels go down.