It can be easy to ignore high cholesterol in your aging relative because it doesn’t cause any symptoms.
However, if you’re ignoring cholesterol levels, you may be making a big mistake. High cholesterol is a bigger problem than you may know. It can lead to serious, potentially fatal, problems like stroke and heart attack. If you’re unclear on what cholesterol is and how high cholesterol affects health, knowing some basic information may help you better manage high cholesterol in your older family member.
What Is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol isn’t really a bad thing, as long as it stays within healthy levels. It’s a wax-like substance in the blood that is used to create new cells. There are two kinds of cholesterol:
High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL): This is the “good” cholesterol that gathers extra cholesterol and delivers it to the liver. Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL): LDL is the “bad” cholesterol that can stick to the walls of arteries and make them narrow.
There are two sources of cholesterol. The first is the liver. It makes all the cholesterol the body needs for making new cells. Cholesterol is also found in some of the foods people eat, specifically the ones that come from animal sources, like meat and dairy.
How Do People Get High Cholesterol?
There are two main ways that people get high cholesterol. The first is heredity. There are genes that can be inherited that can cause the body to produce too much cholesterol. This kind of high cholesterol is called familial hypercholesterolemia.
The second way that people get high cholesterol is by leading an unhealthy lifestyle. Not getting enough exercise or eating the wrong foods can cause the body to make more cholesterol than is needed. Other poor lifestyle choices that can cause cholesterol to rise are smoking and being overweight.
How Can High Cholesterol Be Prevented?
By making heart-healthy lifestyle changes, your older family member can reduce their chances of getting high cholesterol. Some things they can do are:
Follow a diet that is low in sodium and contains lots of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
- Eat fewer fatty animal-based foods.
- Reach and maintain a healthy weight.
- Stop smoking.
- Exercise.
- Manage stress.
Elder care can assist your aging relative to take steps toward preventing high cholesterol. For example, an elder care provider can plan and prepare meals that are low in cholesterol and use more healthy ingredients. Elder care providers can also encourage weight loss by supporting the older adult and helping them to exercise more, such as by keeping an eye on them while they exercise at home, so they feel safe or driving them to an exercise class.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Caregiver in Sherman Oaks, CA, please call Mom's Home Care and talk to our friendly, knowledgeable staff. Our number is 323-244-4789
Sources Mayoclinic.org Medicalnewstoday.com Heart.org/causes Heart.org/about
