Lowering Your Cholesterol Levels

The ultimate benefit of lowering triglycerides and LDL and raising HDL to average or better than average levels for the population, is a decreased risk of developing coronary heart disease or other serious cardiovascular conditions.

 

People who have high cholesterol and/or triglycerides should set objectives for the short term and goals for the long term. Establish a program that includes a diet low in saturated fat and regular exercise to raise your fitness level and help reduce body fat. If necessary, medications can help you reach your objectives.

Your long term goals are to lower cholesterol and triglycerides, reduce body weight to target levels, and maintain them for life through dietary adjustments and regular exercise.

If you are a heart disease patient, then maintaining heart health will be of special concern over your lifetime. Your targets will be lower than the established normal range. This usually requires a comprehensive approach, including a regular aerobic exercise schedule, relaxation program, strict diet and medication regimen.

Lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels means a lower risk of plaque formation and therefore, fewer arterial blockages and a lower incidence of hemorrhaging and blood clotting. With less plaque comes a reduction in atherosclerosis and incidences of angina, heart attack and stroke. This, in turn, means increased longevity for coronary heart disease patients and a smaller chance that a heart attack, if it occurs, will be fatal.

Work with your doctor, a dietician or nutritionist, and a physical trainer to help develop and stick with your healthy heart program for life.

This section is divided into multiple articles, covering topics such as low cholesterol recipes and cholesterol medications, with each listed in the menu to the left. To research other cholesterol topics, please use the morefocus search tool.