I Have High Cholesterol. Now What?

Your lab results show elevated cholesterol levels, and you’re wondering what comes next. You might assume that a high cholesterol diagnosis means immediately starting medication and eating nothing but salad. The reality involves a more strategic approach that considers your complete cardiovascular risk profile, not just the numbers on your lab report.

At Peaks Medical and Urgent Care in Dillon, Colorado, our providers help patients understand their cholesterol results and develop personalized management plans that fit their health goals and lifestyle.

What your cholesterol numbers mean for you

Cholesterol panels measure total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or bad cholesterol), high-density lipoprotein (HDL, or good cholesterol), and triglycerides. But these numbers don’t exist in isolation. We evaluate them alongside your blood pressure, family history, smoking status, diabetes risk, and age to calculate your cardiovascular risk.

A 30-year-old with a total cholesterol of 220 mg/dL and no other risk factors faces different treatment recommendations than a 55-year-old with the same cholesterol level plus diabetes and high blood pressure. We use established risk calculators to determine whether your cholesterol levels warrant starting medication or if lifestyle modifications should come first.

This personalized risk assessment explains why some patients with moderately elevated cholesterol start medication immediately while others begin their cholesterol-lowering efforts with dietary changes and exercise.

Starting medication depends on more than cholesterol levels

Statins remain the most effective medications for lowering cholesterol, but starting them isn’t always the first step. Your provider considers several factors before prescribing medication.

Your calculated 10-year risk of heart attack or stroke determines treatment urgency. Patients with very high risk often benefit from immediate statin therapy combined with lifestyle changes. Those with lower risk might achieve their target cholesterol levels through diet and exercise modifications alone.

Lifestyle changes work faster than most people expect

Dietary adjustments can lower cholesterol levels within weeks. The most effective approach focuses on increasing soluble fiber and reducing saturated fats rather than eliminating all fats from your diet.

Foods like oats, beans, apples, and barley contain soluble fiber that binds cholesterol in your digestive system. Adding two servings of these foods daily can produce measurable cholesterol reductions in your next lab work.

Exercise contributes to cholesterol management through multiple mechanisms. Regular physical activity raises HDL cholesterol while helping your body process fats more efficiently. Even moderate exercise like brisk walking for 30 minutes most days can improve your cholesterol profile.

Most cholesterol cases stay in primary care

Cardiologist referrals aren’t necessary for most patients with high cholesterol. Primary care providers routinely prescribe cholesterol medications, monitor for side effects, and adjust treatments based on your response and changing health status.

We only refer patients to specialists when they have complex cases involving multiple cardiovascular risk factors, genetic cholesterol disorders, or medication intolerance requiring specialized alternatives. 

Most cholesterol management happens during regular primary care visits, even through telehealth, making it convenient to address alongside your other health concerns. This integrated approach ensures that your cholesterol treatment complements your overall health plan rather than creating additional complexity.

If your recent lab work shows that you have high cholesterol, contact our team at Peaks Medical and Urgent Care by calling 970-485-6826 or scheduling an appointment online. We can help you understand your results and develop an effective management strategy tailored to your individual risk profile and health goals.