John Kelly, M.D.

Chairman of the HTAA Health and Medical Advisory Board

Lowering high cholesterol

A high cholesterol level can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Keeping your cholesterol at a good level can lower your chance of heart attacks and strokes. There are different types of cholesterol. The two main types are often called “bad” and “good.” Bad cholesterol can damage the heart and arteries, but good cholesterol does not cause damage.
     Everyone should keep bad cholesterol as low as possible. If your doctor or nurse tells you that you have high cholesterol, it means that your bad cholesterol is too high.
     Good cholesterol helps remove extra cholesterol from the body. When your good cholesterol is higher, your chance of heart disease is lower.
     Just having high cholesterol does not cause symptoms. Most people don't know they have high cholesterol unless they get tested. A blood test to check your cholesterol will tell you if your levels are on target.
     How often you have a blood test will depend on your individual risk for heart attacks or strokes. Talk to your doctor or nurse about how often your cholesterol should be checked.
     The target for your bad cholesterol depends on your risk factors for heart disease. Risk factors are things that increase your chance of having a heart attack or stroke. If you have more risk factors, your doctor or nurse will recommend a lower target for your bad cholesterol. Talk with your doctor or nurse about setting your cholesterol goal. Here are some good questions:

Can I control my cholesterol by eating healthy and being active?

Everyone with high cholesterol should be on a cholesterol-lowering diet. Exercising can help, too. If you can't get to your cholesterol goal with diet and exercise alone, you may need a cholesterol medicine.

Are all of these medicines taken the same way?

Most cholesterol medicines are pills. A few come as powders mixed into a drink. Some are taken once a day.

How else can I keep my heart healthy?

Lowering your cholesterol is an important step. But it's also vital to control other health problems that can put you at risk for heart attacks and stroke, like diabetes and high blood pressure.

     This information was developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Visit nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cholesterol.html.

     John T. Kelly, M.D., is Chief Medical Officer of Lifeclinic International, which manufactures blood pressure and weight monitors installed in many trucking locations. Dr. Kelly previously served as Chief Health and Medical Officer of Union Pacific Railroad. Dr. Kelly can be contacted at JKelly@lifeclinic.com.