Managing cholesterol

When your cholesterol test result shows you are at risk, whether you like it or not, you have to manage your cholesterol level. And it takes time to learn how to manage high cholesterol.

What target levels should I aim for?

It's important to understand that cholesterol target levels will be different for each individual. Your personal target levels will depend on your overall health including risk factors for high cholesterol as well as family history of cardiovascular disease. Your doctor is the best person to discuss your personal cholesterol target levels. The targets listed below are general guidelines only for people at high cardiovascular risk.

REMEMBER, if you have any doubts or concerns about risk factors for high cholesterol or if you need to discuss any other health matters, consult your doctor.

Cholesterol target levels for people at high cardiovascular risk

Below are several areas which you definitely cannot ignore them to manage your cholesterol level. Besides, having a good relationship with your doctors is an essential part of managing your high cholesterol. With their advice you can develop a management plan that can help to improve not just your cholesterol level, but also your overall health.

What can I do to reduce my high blood cholesterol?

The good news is that there are a number of things you can do to lower your blood cholesterol. Lifestyle changes are a good place to start. For some people with high cholesterol, these changes will not be enough to lower their cholesterol to acceptable levels. Cholesterol lowering-medication may be necessary. Speak to your doctor about the best way for you to manage your cholesterol.

Lifestyle changes

You can help to reduce your risk of heart disease and manage your cholesterol by making lifestyle changes. Changing your lifestyle is easier than it sounds. You just need some good advice and the motivation to change.

Healthy Diet

Reducing the saturated fat in your diet is a good first step in helping to lower your cholesterol. There are many other small changes you can make that will have great benefits for your overall health such as; reducing the amount of salt you eat, using "good" oils, eating more vegetables and drinking lots of water.

Exercise

Our body is designed to move. Health experts strongly encourage people to be physically active, yet most developed country residents are becoming less active every year. In general term, you include at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on all or most days of the week.

Weight management

It is not healthy to be too thin or carry too much body fat. The key is to find a sustainable healthy weight of yourself.

Being overweight can increase your risk of a number of health problems including:

• High blood cholesterol
• Cardiovascular disease
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Gall bladder disease
• Sleep problems
• Joint problems eg; gout and arthritis
• Certain types of cancer

Check with your doctor to find out the weight that is best for you and then try to achieve and maintain that weight.

Drug therapy vs. non-drug therapy

Depending on your level of risk for cardiovascular disease and your cholesterol levels (your LDL-cholesterol level in particular), you should consult with your doctor for your best and appropriate cholesterol managing plan.

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