High Cholesterol Treatment

Lower Cholesterol, Protect Your Heart
Personalized Care for Heart Health

High Cholesterol Treatment & Heart Health Care | Monroe, New Jersey

High cholesterol treatment in Monroe, NJ, helps manage cholesterol levels to prevent serious health issues. Cholesterol is a natural, waxy substance in your blood. Your body needs it to make hormones, support digestion, and build cell walls. However, when cholesterol levels get too high, it can cause health problems. Extra cholesterol can stick to artery walls, forming plaque. Over time, this buildup narrows blood vessels and slows blood flow. As a result, this raises the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other concerns.

At First Health of Monroe, Dr. Aruna Chakrala provides expert high cholesterol treatment to help patients stay healthy. She offers early screenings, lifestyle guidance, and medical treatments to keep cholesterol at safe levels. If you need high cholesterol treatment in Monroe Township, NJ, call (609) 799-5000 or book an appointment online today.

What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a type of fat that your body makes naturally. Some cholesterol also comes from the foods you eat. Mainly from animal-based products like meat, dairy, and eggs. While your body needs cholesterol for certain functions, too much can cause health problems. There are three types of cholesterol in your blood:

To stay healthy with high cholesterol treatment, it’s important to keep LDL and triglycerides low while maintaining good HDL levels.

What Causes High Cholesterol?

Many things can cause high cholesterol. Knowing your risks can help you make changes to protect your health.

Understanding these risk factors can help you take control of your health. High cholesterol treatment, along with small lifestyle changes, can lower your cholesterol and improve your heart health.

What Are the Signs of High Cholesterol?

Most people with high cholesterol do not feel symptoms, so regular checkups are key to early detection. However, when cholesterol levels get too high, some people may notice:

Chest pain (angina) – Reduced blood flow to the heart can cause tightness or pain.
Fatigue – Poor circulation may leave you feeling weak and tired.
Tendonitis – Inflammation in the tendons, often in the hands or feet, can be a warning sign.
Xanthomas – Fatty deposits may form around the eyes, elbows, knees, or hands.

If high cholesterol or heart disease runs in your family, routine screenings and early high cholesterol treatment are even more important. Catching problems early can help prevent serious health risks. To learn more about high cholesterol symptoms and causes, visit the Mayo Clinic’s guide on high cholesterol.

How is High Cholesterol Diagnosed?

Since high cholesterol has no clear symptoms, a lipid panel blood test is the best way to detect it. This test checks:

Total cholesterol – The overall amount of cholesterol in your blood.
LDL cholesterol ("bad" cholesterol) – Can build up in arteries and increase heart disease risk.
HDL cholesterol ("good" cholesterol) – Helps remove LDL cholesterol from the blood.
Triglycerides – A type of fat that can raise heart disease risk when too high.

For the most accurate results, you may need to fast for 8-12 hours before the test. At First Health of Monroe, Dr. Chakrala carefully reviews your test results, health history, and daily habits. With this information, she creates a custom plan for high cholesterol treatment in Monroe, NJ, to help manage your cholesterol and lower health risks.

Treatments for High Cholesterol

Managing high cholesterol often requires lifestyle changes and, in some cases, medication. Dr. Chakrala tailors each high cholesterol treatment in Monroe, NJ, to meet your specific health needs and goals.

Eat a heart-healthy diet – Add more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Additionally, avoid fried foods, processed snacks, and sugary drinks.
Stay active – Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days. Walking, swimming, and cycling can help lower cholesterol and improve heart health.
Maintain a healthy weight – Losing even a small amount of weight can reduce LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
Quit smoking – Smoking damages blood vessels and lowers HDL ("good") cholesterol. Stopping can help improve heart health.
Limit alcohol – Drinking too much alcohol can raise triglycerides. This can increase the risk of heart disease.

Statins – Help block cholesterol production in the liver.
Bile acid sequestrants – Help the body remove excess cholesterol.
Fibrates – Lower triglycerides and boost HDL ("good") cholesterol.
Niacin – A B vitamin that helps lower LDL cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol.

Regular checkups and blood tests ensure your high cholesterol treatment in Monroe Township, NJ, is working effectively. Dr. Chakrala provides ongoing support to help you stay on track and protect your heart health.

Cholesterol Q&A

Can high cholesterol be cured?

No, but it can be managed with the right care. Healthy habits and medication help keep cholesterol levels in check and lower health risks.

What foods help lower cholesterol?

Eating foods rich in fiber, omega-3s, and healthy fats can help. Good choices include oatmeal, nuts, fish, avocados, and olive oil. Also, avoid foods high in saturated fat and sugar.

When should I get tested for high cholesterol?

Adults should get tested every 4-6 years. If you have risk factors like a family history, obesity, or diabetes, you may need more frequent screenings.

Can children have high cholesterol?

Yes, children with obesity, diabetes, or a family history of heart disease may develop high cholesterol. However, early testing and healthy lifestyle changes can help prevent future health issues.

Does exercise lower cholesterol?

Yes! Regular physical activity helps raise HDL (“good”) cholesterol and lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. Activities like walking, biking, or swimming can make a big difference.