Five Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Cholesterol

"You may wonder why you should think about cholesterol. After all, high cholesterol doesn’t have any symptoms. But having high cholesterol increases your risk for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. Learn why it’s important to know your cholesterol numbers and what questions to ask your doctor about cholesterol.

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that your body needs to make hormones and digest fats normally.¹ Your body makes all of the cholesterol it needs, so you do not need to obtain cholesterol through foods.

What are my numbers and what do they mean?

A blood test can tell you whether you have high blood cholesterol. The test, sometimes called a “lipid profile,” measures four things:²

• Your total cholesterol. A total cholesterol of 240 mg/dL or above is considered high.
• HDL (high-density lipoprotein). HDL is sometimes called “good” cholesterol because it helps get rid of extra cholesterol. It’s best to have 60 mg/dL or more.
• LDL (low-density lipoprotein). LDL is sometimes called “bad” cholesterol because it can cause cholesterol to build up in the arteries. It’s best to have 100 mg/dL or less.
• Triglycerides.³ Triglycerides are a type of fat found in your blood. Normal levels are generally less than 150 mg/dL..."
  Cholesterol