FAQ |What is Cholesterol? How to Stay Healthy

> How do I know if I have too much LDL cholesterol? Home cholesterol tests may be fine for monitoring progress once you're on a program. However, they provide a total cholesterol count, as opposed to individual readings; a low HDL cholesterol or a high LDL cholesterol reading can be a more important warning sign than the overall total count.

Only your doctor or healthcare professional can evaluate your results in the context of your overall health and other risk factors.

If you have high cholesterol and your doctor has placed you on a diet and exercise program, we've included these questions to ask your doctor.

>Has my treatment program of diet and exercise sufficiently reduced my high cholesterol?
> If not, is it appropriate for me to add a cholesterol-lowering medication to my diet and exercise program?
> What medication (if any) is appropriate for me?
> How long should I take it?
> What are the side effects?
>What kinds of results can I expect?

> What are the consequences of high cholesterol?
When too much LDL (bad) cholesterol builds up on the inside of your arteries, it forms plaque. The buildup of plaque in the arteries causes them to become thicker, harder, and less flexible-in short it restricts blood flow, which can cause a heart attack or a stroke. The good news is that you can survive high cholesterol by taking action now to lower it. Cholesterol usually builds up slowly, over a lifetime. And because high cholesterol has no symptoms, it can go undetected for years-until a heart attack or a stroke happens. But your doctor or healthcare professional can determine if your total cholesterol level is too high, and help you prevent the damage it can do.