Your Heart’s Silent Plea: Answering the Call to Control Cholesterol

Long before you feel any symptoms, your heart and arteries may be sending out a silent plea for help against the onslaught of high cholesterol. This insidious condition works quietly for years, building up dangerous plaque that puts your life at risk. Answering this silent call means taking proactive steps to manage your cholesterol before it’s too late.
The plea comes from your arteries as they are slowly being narrowed and hardened by atherosclerosis. High levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol are the primary culprits, forming the foundation of plaques that restrict the flow of life-giving blood. Each day that cholesterol remains uncontrolled, these blockages can grow larger and more unstable.
The plea also comes from your heart muscle, which is forced to work harder to pump blood through these constricted vessels. This extra strain can eventually weaken the heart and contribute to other problems like high blood pressure. Your heart is fighting a daily battle against the resistance created by these cholesterol-driven blockages.
Ignoring this silent plea can lead to a sudden and tragic outcome. A plaque rupture can trigger a heart attack or stroke with little to no warning. This is why waiting for symptoms to appear is a failing strategy. The first symptom of high cholesterol is often a major cardiovascular event, by which point irreversible damage may have already occurred.
You can answer your heart’s plea by taking control. This begins with getting screened to know your numbers. It continues with adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle rich in whole foods and regular exercise. And for many, it includes faithfully following the medical advice and treatments prescribed by a doctor. Heeding this silent call today is the best way to ensure your heart beats strongly for years to come.