High Cholesterol: Care Instructions

Overview

Cholesterol is a type of fat (lipid) in your blood. It is needed for many body functions. Cholesterol is made by your body. It also comes from food you eat. High cholesterol means that you have too much of the fat in your blood. This raises your risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), heart attack, and stroke.

There are two main forms of cholesterol:

• LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is called "bad cholesterol." Most lifestyle changes and treatment to lower cholesterol are aimed at reducing levels of LDL.
• HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is called "good cholesterol." It can help remove excess cholesterol from the body, which helps lower your risk.

Your cholesterol levels help your doctor find out your risk for having a heart attack or stroke. You and your doctor can talk about whether you need to lower your risk and what treatment is best for you.

Treatment options include a heart-healthy lifestyle and medicine. Both options can help lower your cholesterol and your risk. The way you choose to lower your risk will depend on how high your risk is for heart attack and stroke. It will also depend on how you feel about taking medicines.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

How can you care for yourself?

Taking your medicine correctly and having a heart-healthy lifestyle can help lower your risk for a heart attack or stroke.

To have a heart-healthy lifestyle:

• Eat heart-healthy foods. These include vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, lean meat, fish, and whole grains. Limit things like sodium, alcohol, and sugar.
• Be active. For many people, walking is a good choice. Or you may want to swim, bike, or be active in other ways. Housework and yard work count too.
• Stay at a healthy weight. Lose weight if you need to.
• Don't smoke or vape. If you need help quitting, ask your doctor about stop-smoking programs and medicines.
• Manage other health problems. These include diabetes and high blood pressure. If you think you may have a problem with alcohol or drug use, talk to your doctor.
• If you take medicine, take it exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you're having a problem with your medicine.
• Talk with your doctor before using plant products or supplements to lower cholesterol. Some plant products, like fiber (psyllium) or red yeast rice, may help lower cholesterol. Research hasn't proven these products lower the risk of heart attack and stroke. Taking some plant products or supplements together with medicines can cause problems.

When should you call for help?

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:

• You need help making lifestyle changes.
• You have questions about your medicine.