General Medicine & Preventive Care

High Cholesterol

LDL, HDL, triglycerides — what your lipid panel means and how to improve it.

5 min readheartlabsdiet

Overview

Cholesterol is a waxy substance your body needs — but too much of the wrong kind builds up in your arteries and dramatically increases your risk of heart attack and stroke. A simple blood test called a lipid panel measures your LDL ('bad') cholesterol, HDL ('good') cholesterol, and triglycerides. Understanding your numbers and knowing how to improve them is one of the most important steps you can take for your cardiovascular health.

Key Points

LDL cholesterol ('bad') should generally be below 100 mg/dL for most adults.
HDL cholesterol ('good') should be above 40 mg/dL for men and 50 mg/dL for women.
Triglycerides above 150 mg/dL increase cardiovascular and pancreatitis risk.
High cholesterol has no symptoms — a lipid panel is the only way to know your levels.
Statins are the most evidence-based medications for lowering LDL and reducing cardiovascular events.

Signs & Symptoms

No symptoms — high cholesterol is detected only through a blood test
Xanthomas (fatty deposits under the skin) in severe familial hypercholesterolemia
Chest pain or shortness of breath if coronary artery disease has developed
Symptoms of stroke or TIA if carotid arteries are affected
Abdominal pain from pancreatitis in cases of severely elevated triglycerides

Causes & Risk Factors

Diet high in saturated fats, trans fats, and dietary cholesterol
Sedentary lifestyle and obesity
Genetic conditions: familial hypercholesterolemia
Hypothyroidism, diabetes, kidney disease, and liver disease
Certain medications: corticosteroids, beta-blockers, some diuretics

Treatment Options

1Heart-healthy diet: reduce saturated fat, eliminate trans fats, increase soluble fiber and omega-3s

2Regular aerobic exercise to raise HDL and lower triglycerides

3Statin medications (atorvastatin, rosuvastatin) — first-line for most patients with elevated LDL

4Ezetimibe or PCSK9 inhibitors for patients who cannot tolerate statins or need additional LDL lowering

5Fibrates or omega-3 prescription medications for significantly elevated triglycerides

When to See a Doctor

Get a fasting lipid panel at your annual exam. If your LDL is above 130 mg/dL or you have cardiovascular risk factors, schedule a dedicated appointment to discuss a treatment plan. Don't wait for symptoms — by the time high cholesterol causes problems, significant arterial damage may already have occurred.

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a Lemon-AID Medical Management provider for diagnosis and personalized treatment.