Questions to Ask

Your health care team will work with you to help prevent or treat high cholesterol and support your overall cardiovascular health. Here are some questions you may want to ask:

• What is my cholesterol?
• What’s the difference between LDL cholesterol and triglycerides?
• Should I have my lipoprotein (a), or Lpa, level checked?
• Would I benefit from genetic testing for a cholesterol disorder?
• If my LDL is high because of a genetic disorder (passed down in families), should my children have their cholesterol checked?
• Will exercise and diet alone be enough to lower my cholesterol?
• How does cholesterol relate to the risk of cardiovascular disease?
• How much exercise should I be getting? What types of activities are best for me?
• Are there foods I should avoid/eat more of?
• Do I need medication? If so, which medication and why?
• I'm taking medication and have made lifestyle changes, but my LDL cholesterol levels are still very high. What else can I do?
• When can we expect to see a difference?
• What side effects should I watch for?
• I know statins are usually the first drug therapy, but what can you tell me about non-statin medications?
• I feel fine. Why do I need medicine to lower my cholesterol?
• What can I do to raise my “good” cholesterol?
• How often do I need to get my cholesterol level checked?
• What about my other risk factors for cardiovascular disease?
• Would I benefit from seeing a lipid specialist?