Cholesterol Levels Slideshow Pictures Lower Cholesterol Slideshow: Avoid Heart Disease Take the Cholesterol Quiz

Medical Author:

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Dr. Ben Wedro practices emergency medicine at Gundersen Clinic, a regional trauma center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His background includes undergraduate and medical studies at the University of Alberta, a Family Practice internship at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and residency training in Emergency Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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What Should I Do if I Have High Cholesterol?

As described above, high total cholesterol blood levels are associated with an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease. Depending on the test results, lifelong treatment including healthy lifestyle changes and/or medications may be recommended.

If you have high cholesterol or triglyceride levels, the main goal of a treatment program is to lower the numbers to decrease the potential risk of narrowed arteries and their complications.

• Lifestyle changes include eating a healthy diet low unsaturated fats and cholesterol, exercise, weight control, and avoiding or quitting smoking.
  
  
• Medications may be prescribed in conjunction with lifestyle changes. The health care practitioner and patient decide together which medications may be required if lifestyle changes are not adequate to control cholesterol levels. The choice of medication depends upon which type of cholesterol or triglyceride is elevated, past medical history, other illnesses that may be present, and other medications that are being taken.
  
  
• Cholesterol control is often a lifelong commitment.
  
  
• Other risk factors associated with heart attack, stroke, and peripheral artery disease include smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, and family history.