Here is a quick primer on what numbers you should be shooting for in managing your cholesterol level. Depending on your risk level, there are actually four numbers that you should be aware of with the target values noted in parentheses: total cholesterol (less than 200, ideally less than 180); LDL cholesterol (less than 100); HDL (the good cholesterol, should be higher than 40); and triglycerides (ideally less than 150). Hopefully, through exercise and diet you can achieve these numbers, but if not, check with your doctor on a prescribed medication that will help lower your cholesterol. Be aware that some cholesterol-lowering drugs can have serious side effects, so it is important to have your doctor check your liver enzymes after starting a new drug regimen to make sure that it is safe for your body. Everyone's chemistry works a little differently, so it is important to monitor the safety of the medication. What works well for one individual may be harmful to another individual. I recently discovered that after my doctor increased my Lipitor from 10 to 20 mg, certain liver enzymes become elevated and I had to drop back to 10 mg. and use another medication to keep my LDL levels in check. I have to follow up with another blood test in a few days to see how this combination is working.

Your doctor will probably focus on your LDL number first, and after an appropriate value has been reached, he or she may prescribe treatment for high triglycerides and/or a low HDL level, if present. The treatment includes losing weight if necessary, increasing physical activity, quitting smoking, and possibly taking an additional medication. Even if you start taking a medication to lower your cholesterol level, you will need to continue making lifestyle changes. This will keep the dose of medicine as low as possible, and lower your risk in other ways as well.