Maintaining Healthy Cholesterol Levels

Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels is vital to heart health. If too much cholesterol builds up in the body, plaque will accumulate in the arteries and narrow the space allowed for blood to flow to the heart. This narrowing can lead to heart disease and even a stroke or heart attack. If you want to live a long and healthy life, it is important to keep tabs on your cholesterol levels.

Some people are genetically inclined to have high cholesterol levels. Age, gender, and certain medical conditions can also increase risk. While these factors cannot be changed or prevented, there are still ways you can lower your cholesterol substantially. Consuming a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and adopting a regular exercise routine are great ways to sustain healthy cholesterol levels. Limit foods high in saturated fat and complete at least 30 minutes of moderate or vigorous exercise per day to begin shedding some pounds.

Be Proactive About Your Heart Health.

High cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S. Although keeping an eye on your cholesterol levels is important, that alone will not prevent a heart attack. There are many factors that contribute to heart attacks, including some we cannot control, like our genes. That’s why it’s imperative to know your risk level and detect it early, so you can prevent the onset of a heart attack. The only way to know your heart health for certain is by receiving a comprehensive heart exam.

Virtual Imaging, using the EBT C300 scanner, offers the heart scan as its premier method of cardiac risk assessment. According to the American Heart Association, the EBT technology, which is exclusively available at Virtual Imaging, is the non-invasive gold standard for determining the development and extent of plaque in the arteries. The scan is easy and painless. In fact, the entire study can be completed in the time it takes for you to hold a single breath.

If you follow these guidelines, you can significantly reduce your risk of heart disease. So why wait any longer? Request an appointment at Virtual Imaging by calling (770) 730-0119.