With age, many people develop cholesterol problem and put their bodies at risk of cardiovascular disease. In the United States one person dies every 38 seconds of cardiovascular disease. The statistics can prove frightening, but the good news is cholesterol levels can drop if you choose a healthy lifestyle and follows the doctor’s recommendation. High cholesterol levels occur frequently among senior citizens, but some manage to live long and happy lives by making some important lifestyle changes.

If don’t have a healthy diet and live sedentary life, you will probably develop cholesterol problems sooner or later. Prevent these problems or treat your existing ones by maintaining a healthy diet. The fats you eat have a tremendous influence on the levels of cholesterol in your blood. Include a wide variety of fruit and vegetables in your diet, whether fresh, frozen or dried. If you choose to eat canned fruit and vegetables, make sure you select those that have no sugar or salt added. You can eat chicken and turkey without skin and as mush fish as you’d like. Fish is very healthy and helps keep your heart and blood vessels young. Include in your diet non-fat dairy products as well as whole grain bread and cereals. You should also avoid snacks. If you feel hungry between meals, opt for fruit instead of cookies or chips. You should avoid pastries, muffins, fast food, processed meat, chocolate, pop corn and everything that contains saturated fat. If you already have high cholesterol levels, talk with your doctor about what diet best fits your needs. Senior citizens should stick to this kind of low fat diet at all times, as they have a greater risk of high cholesterol.

You can also control your cholesterol levels through physical exercise, so include physical activity in your daily life. Whether you choose aerobic exercise, weight lifting, jogging or simply a long walk with your friends or someone in your family, don’t skip a day. Regular physiological activity remains of paramount importance in the life of senior citizens, as it helps keep a healthy heart and other strong muscles while helping you avoid cholesterol problems for a long time.

Tobacco smoking remains one of the main causes of high cholesterol. Smokers have higher chances of increased cholesterol levels and developing cardiovascular diseases. Avoid smoking at all costs, as it not only damages your body but also affects the health of people around you.

Discuss with your doctor possible treatment options. Some people with high cholesterol levels—especially senior citizens—need medication to keep the condition under control. Your doctor will determine a course of treatment for you. Make sure you follow your doctor’s recommendation, as untreated high cholesterol levels can have serious consequences. Combine the treatment your doctor prescribes with a healthy lifestyle in order to get the best results. Don’t take cholesterol-lowering drugs from another person, as each case proves different and you might make your situation worse. If you notice any side effects about which your doctor has not warned you, make an appointment with your physician to discuss your concerns.

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