High Cholesterol - Treatment Overview

The goal in treating high cholesterol is to reduce your chances of having a heart attack or stroke.

The two types of treatment for high cholesterol are:

  1. Lifestyle changes, including healthy eating, quitting smoking, losing extra weight, and getting more active.
  2. Daily medicines.

Treating high cholesterol with lifestyle changes

Your doctor may suggest that you make one or more of the following changes:

  • Build good eating habits. Your doctor may suggest that you follow a cholesterol-lowering diet that cuts back on saturated fat while still allowing good fat such as olive and canola oils.
  • Lose weight. If you are overweight, losing just 5 lb to 10 lb (2.3 kg to 4.5 kg) can lower your cholesterol and triglycerides. Losing weight can also help lower your blood pressure.
  • Get more active. Exercise can raise your HDL and may help you lose weight, if you need to.
  • Stop smoking. If you smoke, quitting will also help you raise your HDL.

For more information, see the section Making Lifestyle Changes.

Treating high cholesterol with medicine

Many people try lifestyle changes first. But if lifestyle changes aren't enough, you will need to take medicine too.

Some people need to start taking medicine right away because their risk of heart attack is higher than average.

Know your heart attack risk

Use the Interactive Tool: Are You at Risk for a Heart Attack? Click here to see an interactive tool.

This interactive tool will tell you your level of risk. Your doctor will base your need for medicine on your risk level. After you use the tool, you can learn more about treatment for your risk level.

You are considered at very high risk if you have coronary artery disease and you also smoke or have diabetes, acute coronary syndrome, or metabolic syndrome.

Work with your doctor to treat other diseases that you may have, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. And if you smoke, talk to your doctor about stop-smoking programs and medicines. These can increase your chances of quitting for good.

Take your medicine properly

Some people find it hard to take their medicines properly. They may fit into one of these groups:

  • "Why should I bother?" These people don't see why they should take medicines every day when they don't feel sick.
    High cholesterol doesn't make you feel sick. But it's important to treat it, because it damages your blood vessels and eventually your heart, even though you don't have symptoms.
  • "I don't like the side effects." These people stop taking their medicines because they are having side effects from the pills.
    If you're having side effects, tell your doctor. There are many kinds of medicines you can try until you find one that works well with the fewest side effects.
  • "I just can't keep track." Some people find it very hard to keep track of taking two or more pills every day, especially if they need to take them at different times.
    Your doctor may be able to change your pill schedule to make it simpler. You can also organize your pills with a pillbox that holds a week's worth of pills. Some of these boxes have separate compartments for morning, noon, and bedtime pills.

For more information, see:

If you have trouble taking your medicine for any reason, talk to your doctor.

By: Healthwise StaffLast Revised: April 22, 2011
Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Carl Orringer, MD - Cardiology, Clinical Lipidology

© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

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