High Cholesterol and Heart Disease

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance. It is an important component of all cell membranes. Your body makes most of the cholesterol you need in the liver. Cholesterol production may be affected by your dietary intake of cholesterol, saturated fats, trans fats (trans fatty acids), and total fat. Only animal products contain cholesterol, such as meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, and egg yolks. Plant sources do not contain cholesterol.

High cholesterol levels contribute to plaque formation in your blood vessels. Plaque inside the walls of your blood vessels causes blood vessels to narrow. Over time, you may be at risk for health problems such as heart attack, coronary artery disease, vascular disease, and stroke. It is important to have your cholesterol levels (“lipid profile or panel”) checked routinely. Please ask your doctor about these blood tests.

Patient Education

• Understanding Cholesterol

California Pacific's Heart and Vascular Center

California Pacific's Heart and Vascular Center is supported by one of the best heart hospital/center networks in the USA, offering quality, comprehensive patient-centered cardiovascular care by a team of top heart surgeons and physicians with leading-edge technology. Serving the entire San Francisco Bay Area, including San Francisco and Marin County, as well as the entire Northern California region, our team has many of the best cardiovascular surgeons and physicians in California and the United States.