Cholesterol Basics and How To Lower Your Risk

High cholesterol often has no symptoms, so news of high cholesterol can feel shocking and even sudden. What happens next is in your control. A simple blood test shows where your LDL, HDL, and triglycerides stand, and there are proven ways to improve them. This guide explains your numbers, the daily habits that move them in a healthier direction, and when medicine is part of care with support from your Kelsey-Seybold team.

What cholesterol does

Cholesterol helps your body build cells and make hormones. Your liver makes cholesterol, and you also get some from food. Problems begin when extra cholesterol circulates in the blood and adds to plaque along artery walls. That buildup narrows arteries and raises the risk for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. Knowing your levels is the first step toward lowering that risk.

Understanding your numbers

Your lab report lists LDL, HDL, triglycerides, and total cholesterol. The CDC describes HDL as the "good" cholesterol and notes that a healthy HDL is at least 40 mg/dL for men and at least 50 mg/dL for women. CDC guidelines also list normal triglycerides as less than 150 mg/dL, optimal LDL levels as under 100 mg/dL optimal, and desirable total cholesterol levels as under 150 mg/dL. These numbers guide treatment, but your plan will be based on overall cardiovascular risk, not one value alone.

Your results are a starting point, not a verdict. Simple, repeatable habits can help shift cholesterol in the right direction.

Habits that make a difference

Focus on actions you can repeat most days. Start with one or two, then add more as they become routine.

• Build most meals around high-fiber foods such as vegetables, fruits, beans, and whole grains, plus sources of healthy fats like fish and nuts. Limit saturated fat and avoid trans fat. Swap in unsaturated plant oils such as olive, canola, or avocado oil.
• Limit red meat, full-fat dairy, and fried or highly processed foods that are high in saturated or trans fat. Keeping saturated fat low can reduce LDL.
• Move your body throughout the week. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week, along with muscle-strengthening activity on two days each week. Short sessions add up.
• Work toward a healthy weight if that is part of your plan. Losing about five to ten percent of your current weight can improve cholesterol and triglycerides. Aim for a safe pace of about one to two pounds per week, paired with a heart healthy eating pattern and regular activity.
• If you smoke, ask for help to quit. Quitting leads to rapid improvement in HDL and lowers cardiovascular risk over time.
• If you drink alcohol, keep it modest. The CDC defines moderate drinking as up to one drink a day for women and up to two for men and notes that drinking too much can raise triglycerides. There is no health reason to start drinking if you do not already drink.

Why cholesterol can stay high

You can eat well and stay active yet still not see the changes you want. Some people inherit conditions such as familial hypercholesterolemia, which keeps LDL high from a young age because the body does not recycle LDL efficiently. In those cases, medicine is often part of care along with healthy habits.

When medicine is part of the plan

Healthy habits matter, and some people also need medicine to reach safer levels. Statins can lower cholesterol by blocking an enzyme the body uses to make cholesterol. Ezetimibe lowers the amount absorbed from the intestine. PCSK9 inhibitors can help the liver remove more LDL from the blood, including monoclonal antibodies and a siRNA injection option. Your clinician will recommend the right approach based on your risk, preferences, and prior results.

How often to check cholesterol

The American Heart Association recommends that most adults with low risk have cholesterol checked every four to six years, with more frequent testing if risk is higher. The CDC offers similar guidance and notes that people with heart disease, diabetes, or a strong family history may need testing more often. Your doctor will set a schedule that fits your history and goals.

Coordinated care at Kelsey-Seybold

Managing cholesterol works best when everyone works as a team and shares a common health plan and ongoing communication with you as the patient. At Kelsey-Seybold, primary care providers, cardiologists, and other specialists work together as a team on your behalf. Your lab results, medications, and recommendations are all available via your electronic medical health record to your care team of primary care providers and specialists, making your care management efficient and keeping you moving toward your overall health and lifestyle or personal goals.

Ready to talk about your numbers?

If you are concerned about cholesterol or want help understanding a recent test, schedule a visit with Kelsey-Seybold. We will review your results, discuss your goals, and create a plan that fits your life.