You’ve been following healthy habits like eating right and exercising, you’ve done everything you can to lower your cholesterol, but your cholesterol is still high.
10 most common reasons why your cholesterol is still high:
1. You’re at Genetic Risk for High Cholesterol
If you’re someone who lives a relatively healthy lifestyle and your cholesterol is high, you may have some genetic components that lead to high cholesterol. Familial hypercholesterolemia is a genetic condition that causes cholesterol to build up in your blood.
When you’re diagnosed with high cholesterol, your doctor may prescribe a statin, a drug that blocks the substance your body uses to make cholesterol (Statins help lower LDL cholesterol, which reduces your risk of stroke or death from a heart attack).
2. You Have Hidden Fats in Your Diet
While cutting cholesterol makes sense, it’s not the only aspect of a heart-healthy diet. It’s also important to limit saturated and trans fats, both of which raise LDL. Cut back on these unhealthy fats by eating less red and processed meats (like hot dogs), butter, and whole milk. To still feel full, include foods with good fats like vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, and fish in your diet.
3. You Expect Your Diet to Cure High Cholesterol
A healthy diet is essential, but it may not be enough, especially if you’re predisposed to high cholesterol or have been diagnosed with hereditary hypercholesterolemia. With dietary changes, you may see a 5 to 10 percent drop in cholesterol, but results will vary. Exercise and possibly medication are also important.
4. You’re not cooking your own food
When you eat out, you don’t have complete control over your diet: Even if you’re trying to make healthy choices, you don’t know how your food is prepared or what ingredients are used. Plus, portion control can be more difficult. The easiest way to make sure you stick to a heart-healthy diet is to prepare your own food.
5. You’re not doing the right exercise
While any physical activity is good, aerobic or cardiovascular exercise has been shown to lower LDL and raise HDL. Consider walking, cycling, swimming, dancing, or other cardiovascular activities you can do at a moderate intensity.
6. You’re taking medications that actually raise cholesterol.
Some medications used to treat other conditions, including steroids, retinoids, and progestins, can increase cholesterol levels. Make sure all your health care professionals know about all the medications you are taking. There may be alternative treatments that will not affect your cholesterol.
7. You are drinking too much alcohol
While you may not have to give up alcohol completely, drink in moderation. Drinking too much alcohol can increase cholesterol and triglycerides and contribute to weight gain (Men should have no more than two drinks a day and women should have no more than one).
8. You are not taking your statin as prescribed.
Statins have had a huge impact on saving lives, but to be effective, they must be taken exactly as prescribed. If you are prescribed a statin, make sure you know when to take it and how much.
9. You Expect Results Too Soon
If you’re just starting a lifestyle change or medication, it may be too soon to see results. Remember, high cholesterol doesn’t happen overnight, so it can take time to get your cholesterol back to normal. Continue working with your doctor and following your treatment plan to see results.
10. You’re Relying on Medication Without Lifestyle Changes
People with high cholesterol tend to gain more weight and exercise less after being prescribed a statin. While statins and other cholesterol-lowering medications are very effective, they’re not the only way to control high cholesterol.
