My cholesterol level is too high. But what does that say? Is it decisive to be able to determine whether my arteries are clogged?
Joris Bartstra, journalist with a medical degree.
No, unfortunately it is not that simple. High cholesterol is a risk factor for blood vessel clogging. Lowering cholesterol levels reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. But there are many more risk factors, such as your age, your gender (men more likely), high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes or lack of exercise. And then there are also people who everything is fine and things still go wrong. It’s all about opportunities.
There are all kinds of techniques to assess the condition of your blood vessels, such as measuring the thickness of the vessel wall. But the best way to assess your circulatory system is a simple exercise test. This actually reveals almost all defects in your cardiovascular system.
Would you also like to ask doctor Joris Bartstra a question? Then click here. Don’t forget to include your name, age and gender. If your question is also interesting for others, Joris will answer it and publish it in Plus Magazine.
As a patient, it can be difficult to understand what doctors mean. One doctor is decisive, the other hesitant or cautious. One adheres to all guidelines, while the next is quite willing to try something different. Joris Bartstra is ready to answer medical questions, so that you as a patient get a better idea of your situation. And also because medicine is simply interesting.
Joris does his best, but not everything can be answered by him. The space in Plus Magazine is limited: “Medical issues that have already killed several doctors: you can ask and maybe I understand why it is so difficult. But the chance that I know the solution is small.”
Always go to your doctor with urgent questions, the experts are not the right person for that. They also do not diagnose. The other conditions are in line with those of our partner Health Net. You will find them here.
