Cholesterol Management Clinic in San Diego, CA

The best way to reduce your cholesterol safely and effectively is to adopt healthy lifestyle habits. This includes focusing on heart-healthy practices such as:
 
• Eating plenty of whole foods, including lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, beans, and legumes.
• Being mindful of your fat intake and focusing on eating high-quality, omega-rich foods. 
• Avoid foods high in saturated and trans fats.
• Eating fewer refined grains and processed sugars.
• Exercise regularly for at least 30 minutes a day in a way that is maintainable for you.
 
If lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough to lower your cholesterol levels, your doctor may prescribe medication to help with the process. 

Lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet and exercise, are the first line of defense against high cholesterol. Simple lifestyle changes can often yield the best results that are also the most sustainable. However, if you’ve made these lifestyle changes and your cholesterol levels haven’t improved, your doctor may recommend medication to help with the process.
 
The type of medication prescribed for you will depend on your age, personal health, any other medications you may already be on, risk factors, and the possible side effects associated with the blood pressure medication.

Cholesterol management plays an important role in reducing cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, and strokes. By ensuring your levels are within a healthy range, you safeguard your health and reduce the risk of developing and/or worsening health conditions.
 
High-density lipoprotein (HDL), which is often referred to as the ‘good’ type of cholesterol, helps to eliminate excess cholesterol from the body, while low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or ‘bad’ cholesterol, can cause plaque to develop on the arteries, which can lead to heart and stroke complications. By ensuring that levels are balanced, you can reduce the likelihood of these health problems occurring.

Cholesterol management refers to the collective practice of making sure that LDL and HDL levels are where they’re supposed to be to optimize your health. Cholesterol levels are measured in millimoles per liter of blood (or mmol/L, for short) and should generally lie within the following ranges:
 
Total cholesterol levels:
• Less than 5mmol/L for healthy adults.
• Less than 4mmol/L for those at high risk of heart/stroke issues.
 
LDL levels:
• Less than 3mmol/L for healthy adults.
• Less than 2mmol/L for those at high risk of heart/stroke issues.
 
HDL levels:
• Above 1mmol/L.
 
Ideal cholesterol management requires maintaining healthy cholesterol levels through a healthy diet, regular and maintainable exercise routines, and other healthy lifestyle choices such as giving up smoking. It also involves taking any cholesterol medication prescribed by your doctor. 
 
If you’ve been diagnosed with high cholesterol and would like more guidance on what you can do to optimize your health, contact us at Dr. Kiran Dintyala MD, MPH. We offer comprehensive and professional care to help you navigate your health concerns in a way that best fits into your day-to-day life. For more information, contact us or request an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 888 Prospect Street San Diego, CA 92037. We serve patients from La Jolla CA, Delmar CA, Solana Beach CA, Carmel Valley CA, Encinitas CA, La Mesa CA, and surrounding areas.