How Is High Cholesterol Treated?
The main goal in treating high cholesterol is to lower your LDL. To lower cholesterol, eat a heart-healthy diet, exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy weight. Some may also need to take cholesterol lowering drugs. Doctors determine your “goals” for lowering LDL based on the number of risk factors you have for heart disease. Major risk factors include: age (men 45 years and older, women 55 years and older), cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, an HDL less than 40 mg/dL, family history of premature heart disease in a male first degree relative less than 55 years and female first degree relative less than 65 years of age. • If you have 0-1 risk factor for heart disease, you are at low-to-moderate risk. Generally, lifestyle changes are effective in keeping the cholesterol in check. • .If you have 2 or more risk factors for heart disease, you are at moderate risk, depending on what heart disease risk factors you have. Sometimes your doctor will try lifestyle changes, but most people
