Treating High Cholesterol

You’ve just had your annual physical and the results are in — your cholesterol is in the “too high” range. You’re not alone: an estimated 42 million Americans have high cholesterol, while millions more are on the borderline. Even more startling: more and more physicians are checking cholesterol levels in children due to the increasing numbers of youngsters with obesity and diabetes.

What is High Cholesterol?

Your body needs cholesterol — a waxy substance found in the blood lipids that helps build healthy cells, produce hormones and support other important bodily functions — but having high cholesterol can put you at risk for heart disease and stroke.

“If you're overweight, inactive or have a family history of high cholesterol, you're more likely to have it,” says Dr. Tammy Hawkins. “If you’re in one or more of these high-risk categories, you should have your cholesterol level checked annually.”

Total cholesterol readings measure HDL (good cholesterol), LDL (bad or “fatty” cholesterol) and triglyceride (a type of blood lipid) levels. For most individuals, a total cholesterol reading of less than 200 is considered desirable, while a range of 200-239 is borderline and a reading of 240 or above is defined as high.

High cholesterol is often inherited, but it can also be the result of an unhealthy lifestyle.

Treating High Cholesterol

It’s important for people with high cholesterol to implement healthy lifestyle changes. These include:

• Eating heart healthy foods, including high fiber foods, grains, lean meats and fish, and avoiding saturated fats and trans fats.

• Losing weight if overweight.

• Establishing a regular exercise program.

• Smoking cessation.

• Decreasing or eliminating alcohol consumption.

Statins such as Lipitor and Crestor are the drugs used most often to treat high cholesterol and have high rates of success. Statins decrease the amount of cholesterol your body makes.

Secondary medications that raise HDL levels and lower LDL and triglyceride levels (such as Tricor) may be added to your regimen to improve your total cholesterol reading.

Your local Concord pharmacist is happy to help your sort out the ups and downs of cholesterol. For a list of Concord Pharmacy locations, click here.