Lower your cholesterol, protect your heart.
Individualized cardiovascular risk assessment, statin alternatives when appropriate, and dietary changes that actually move your numbers — not just "eat less fat."
What we consider
Individualized Risk Scoring
Your personal 10-year cardiovascular risk, calculated with the PREVENT equations and factoring in blood pressure, blood sugar, kidney function and family history, guides whether and when we recommend a statin.
Statin Alternatives
PCSK9 inhibitors, ezetimibe, and bempedoic acid when statins aren't the right fit.
Targeted Supplements
Plant sterols and omega-3s where they fit; CoQ10 is sometimes tried for statin-related muscle aches.
Weight & Lifestyle
Weight management (losing weight can meaningfully lower LDL), plus targeted nutrition and activity that measurably shift your numbers.
The numbers on your lipid panel
"High cholesterol" is really four numbers, not one — and they don't all mean the same thing. Understanding what each one measures is the difference between a vague worry and a clear, targeted plan.
LDL ("Bad")
The cholesterol that deposits into artery walls and forms plaque. Lower is better. Under the 2026 ACC/AHA guideline, the goal is usually under 100 mg/dL, under 70 if your risk is high, and under 55 if you've already had a heart attack or stroke.
HDL ("Good")
The cholesterol that helps carry LDL back out of the arteries. Higher is protective — above 40 for men and 50 for women. Exercise and healthy fats raise it.
Triglycerides
A separate blood fat that climbs with sugar, refined carbs, and alcohol. Under 150 is the goal; high levels add cardiovascular risk and often track with insulin resistance.
Total & Advanced Markers
Total cholesterol under 200 is the classic target — but Lp(a) and inflammation (hs-CRP) can reveal risk a standard panel misses, and we weigh both as part of your overall risk score rather than in isolation.
How we test your cholesterol
A basic lipid panel is a good start, but it can underestimate real risk — two people with the same LDL can have very different odds of a heart attack. When it matters, we look deeper and put the numbers in the context of your whole cardiovascular picture:
- Standard lipid panel: total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides (fasting usually isn't needed) — the foundation for tracking progress over time
- Lp(a): a mostly genetic, independent risk factor that a standard panel never shows — now recommended at least once for every adult, and especially important with a family history of early heart disease
- Inflammation markers: hs-CRP, since inflammation drives plaque just as cholesterol does
- Cardiovascular risk scoring: we combine your numbers with blood pressure, blood sugar, age, and family history to estimate real 10-year risk — the number that actually guides treatment
Know your real risk, not just one number.
Most new patients are seen within a week, in person or via telemedicine.
Cholesterol treatment options
Lifestyle change is always the foundation — but when it isn't enough, there are more options than ever, well beyond a single statin. We match treatment to your risk level and how you tolerate each.
Statins
The most proven, first-line medication — they lower LDL substantially and reduce heart attack and stroke risk. Most people tolerate them well, and muscle aches can usually be managed without stopping.
Ezetimibe
Reduces cholesterol absorption in the gut. Often added to a statin for extra LDL lowering, or used alone when statins aren't tolerated.
PCSK9 Inhibitors
Powerful injectable medications that can drop LDL dramatically — reserved for high-risk patients or those who can't reach goal on oral medication.
Bempedoic Acid & Supplements
A newer statin alternative for muscle-sensitive patients, plus evidence-based options like plant sterols, omega-3s, and red yeast rice where they fit.
Medication isn't all-or-nothing, and it isn't forever by default. We recheck a lipid panel 4–12 weeks after any change, adjust to the lowest effective dose, and revisit whether treatment is still needed as your weight, diet, and activity improve.
Related services that protect your heart
Blood Pressure Control
Cholesterol and blood pressure are the two biggest modifiable drivers of heart attack and stroke — we manage them together.
Learn moreDiabetes Care
High triglycerides and low HDL often signal insulin resistance — we screen for and manage diabetes alongside your lipids.
Learn moreWeight Management
Losing 5–10% of body weight can meaningfully lower LDL and triglycerides while raising protective HDL.
Learn moreFrom Our Blog: LDL vs. HDL Cholesterol
What your numbers should actually be, what really moves them, and where statins fit.
Read the guideCholesterol questions
What is high cholesterol and why does it matter?
Cholesterol is a waxy substance your body needs, but too much LDL can stick to artery walls and form plaque, narrowing arteries and increasing heart attack and stroke risk over time. Knowing your total, LDL, HDL, and triglyceride numbers lets us build a personalized protection plan.
How often should I have my cholesterol checked?
Adults 20 and older with normal results and low risk should have a lipid panel at least every 5 years. If you have borderline-high LDL, diabetes, high blood pressure, or family history of early heart disease, we recheck annually, or every 3–6 months after starting or adjusting medication.
What are the target cholesterol numbers for most adults?
For primary prevention we aim for LDL below 100 mg/dL, HDL above 40 (men) or 50 (women), triglycerides under 150, and total cholesterol under 200. If your risk is high, the goal is LDL below 70, and below 55 if you've already had a heart attack or stroke. Goals are individualized to your overall cardiovascular risk score.
What lifestyle changes can lower cholesterol without medication?
A Mediterranean-style diet can drop LDL by 10–15%. 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly raises protective HDL and lowers triglycerides. Losing 5–10% of body weight, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol further improve your lipid profile.
When do you recommend statin medication?
We follow the 2026 ACC/AHA guideline, which uses the PREVENT risk calculator. Treatment is worth discussing from a 10-year risk of 3–5%, should be considered from 5%, and is recommended at 10% or higher; it's also recommended if your LDL is 190 or above, you have diabetes aged 40–75, or you've already had a heart attack or stroke. We discuss benefits versus rare side effects and monitor with blood work 4–12 weeks after any dose change.
What's the difference between LDL and HDL cholesterol?
LDL is often called "bad" cholesterol because it deposits into artery walls and forms plaque — so lower is better. HDL is "good" cholesterol because it helps carry cholesterol back out of the arteries to the liver, so higher is protective. Triglycerides are a separate blood fat that also raises risk when elevated. A useful lipid panel looks at all of these together, not just total cholesterol.
Are statins safe, and what about side effects?
Statins are among the most studied medications in the world and are safe for the large majority of people who take them. The most common complaint is muscle aches, which often improve by switching statins, adjusting the dose, or adding CoQ10 — rather than stopping treatment outright. Serious side effects are rare, and we monitor with blood work. For patients who truly can't tolerate statins, ezetimibe, PCSK9 inhibitors, and bempedoic acid are effective alternatives.
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