In this Article

• What is cholesterol?
• Why should I be concerned about cholesterol?
• What's the difference between "good" and "bad" cholesterol?
• How much cholesterol is too much?
• Can I lower my risk for heart disease if I lower my cholesterol?
• What makes my cholesterol levels go up?
• What can I do to lower my cholesterol?
• What medications are used to treat high cholesterol?
• If a product's package reads "low cholesterol" does that mean that the product is low in fat and safe to eat?
• At what age should people begin having their cholesterol checked?
• High Cholesterol: Frequently Asked Questions Glossary
• High Cholesterol: Frequently Asked Questions Index

5) Can I Lower My Risk for Heart Disease If I Lower My Cholesterol?

Your risk for heart disease is lower when you have low total cholesterol and low LDL.

6) What Makes My Cholesterol Levels Go Up?

Eating foods such as meats, whole milk dairy products, egg yolks, and some kinds of fish can make your cholesterol levels go up. Being overweight can make your bad cholesterol go up and your good cholesterol go down. Also, after women go through menopause, their bad cholesterol levels tend to go up.

7) What Can I Do To Lower My Cholesterol Levels?

You can lower your cholesterol levels by making changes to your lifestyle. Here are some tips.

• Eat foods with less fat, saturated fat and cholesterol.
  
  
• Take off the skin and fat from meat, poultry and fish.
  
  
• Broil, bake, roast, or poach instead of frying foods.
  
  
• Eat lots of fruits and vegetables everyday.
  
  
• Eat lots of cereals, breads, rice, and pasta made from whole grains, such as whole wheat bread or spaghetti.
  
  
• Get lots of exercise everyday. Talk to your doctor about what are the safest and best ways for you to exercise.
  
  
• Lose weight if you are overweight.
  
  
• Stop smoking.
  
  
• Take your high blood cholesterol medication as prescribed by your doctor.

8) What Medications Are Used to Treat High Cholesterol?

Cholesterol-lowering drugs include:

• Statins
  
  
• Niacin
  
  
• Bile-acid resins
  
  
• Fibric acid derivatives

Cholesterol-lowering medicine is most effective when combined with a low-cholesterol diet.

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• Statins - Read about statins, cholesterol lowering medications like Levacor, Zocor, Pravachol, Lipitor, Crestor, and more. Side effects, drug interactions, and patient information is also provided.
• Homocysteine - Read about the test for homocysteine levels in the blood. High levesl of homocysteine include increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, blood clots, and Alzheimer's disease.
• Diabetes - Learn about type 1 and 2 diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus) symptoms including increased urination, thirst, weight loss, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, skin infections, and blurred vision. Causes and diagnosis information is provided in the information.

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