Q: My total cholesterol is high — should I be worried?
Total cholesterol alone tells us relatively little. What matters more is the ratio between your LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and HDL (high-density lipoprotein), along with your overall cardiovascular risk profile. Someone with high total cholesterol but high HDL and no other risk factors may need no intervention at all.
Q: Can I bring my LDL down without medication?
For many people, yes. Reducing saturated fat, increasing soluble fibre from oats, legumes, and vegetables, and adding regular exercise can lower LDL by 10 to 20 percent. However, if your LDL is very high or you have existing heart disease, lifestyle alone is unlikely to be enough — and delaying medication in that case carries real risk.
Q: Does high HDL mean I am protected?
HDL has historically been called the good cholesterol, but recent research has complicated this picture. Very high HDL is not always protective. Your doctor should assess the full lipid panel in context, not any single number in isolation.
Q: How often should I check my cholesterol?
For most adults above 35 with no risk factors, once every four to five years is reasonable. If you have a family history of early heart disease, diabetes, or are on cholesterol-lowering medication, annual testing is more appropriate.