You are trying to load the Human Atlas. Either you do not have the newest version of Adobe Flash®, or you have JavaScript disabled, both of which are required to use this system.

Adjust Font Size
 
Search Health Information   
 
•Encyclopedia Home
•Questions for Doctor A-Z
•Read Spanish version
Images
Plaque buildup in arteries
Plaque buildup i...
 
Care Points
•Diabetes - preventing heart...
•Being active when you have ...
•Butter, margarine, and cook...
•Cholesterol and lifestyle...
•Dietary fats explained
•Cholesterol - drug treatmen...
Read More
•Heart attack
•Familial hypercholesterolem...
•High blood cholesterol leve...
•Coronary risk profile
In-Depth Reports
More Features
•Printer-friendly version
 

Cholesterol - what to ask your doctor

Definition

Your body needs cholesterol to work properly. When you have extra cholesterol in your blood, it builds up inside the walls of your arteries (blood vessels), including the ones that go to your heart. This buildup is called plaque.

Plaque narrows your arteries and slows or stops the blood flow. This can cause a heart attack, stroke, or other serious heart disease.

Below are some questions you may want to ask your doctor or nurse to help you take care of your cholesterol.

Alternate Names

Hyperlipidemia - what to ask your doctor; What to ask your doctor about cholesterol

Questions

What is my cholesterol level? What should my cholesterol level be?

  • What are HDL ("good") cholesterol and LDL ("bad") cholesterol?
  • Does my cholesterol need to be better?
  • How often should I have my cholesterol checked?

What medicines am I taking to treat high cholesterol?

  • Do they have any side effects?
  • What should I do if I miss a dose?
  • Are there foods, other medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements that may change how well my cholesterol medicines work?

What is a heart-healthy diet?

  • What are low-fat foods?
  • What types of fat are okay for me to eat?
  • How can I read a food label to know how much fat there is?
  • Is it ever okay to eat something that is not heart healthy?
  • What are some ways to eat healthy when I go to a restaurant? Can I ever go to a fast-food restaurant again?
  • Do I need to limit how much salt I use? Can I use other spices to make my food taste good?
  • Is it okay to drink any alcohol?

What can I do to stop smoking?

Should I start an exercise program?

  • Is it safe for me to exercise on my own?
  • Where should I exercise, inside or outside?
  • Which activities are better to start with?
  • Are there activities or exercises that are not safe for me?
  • Can I exercise most days?
  • How long and how hard can I exercise?
  • What symptoms may I need to watch out for?
Review Date: 11/12/2012
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc., Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, David R. Eltz, Stephanie Slon, and Nissi Wang.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
adam.com