LOWERING BAD CHOLESTEROL
Knowing and reaching the bad cholesterol goal you set with your healthcare provider can help reduce risk of heart attack and stroke.
There is a difference between lowering your bad cholesterol and lowering it to a goal recommended by your healthcare provider.
The goal for your bad cholesterol (LDL) level is the number you set with your healthcare provider. These goals are based on expert recommendations and guidelines. Your healthcare provider will use these guideline recommendations along with your medical history to determine your goal. Getting to and staying at your goal may help lower your risk of heart attack and stroke.
Your cholesterol goal is personal and can be affected by different things like:
- If you’ve previously had a heart attack or stroke
- Your age
- Your gender
- Your family history
- If you smoke
- If you drink alcohol
Your bad cholesterol goal could also be affected by different health conditions such as:
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Chronic kidney disease
- Premature menopause
- History of preeclampsia
- Thyroid disease
There are many things, like your medical history, that could affect your risk of heart attack or stroke and your bad cholesterol goal. It is important to talk to your healthcare provider to set and reach the right bad cholesterol goal for you.
Talk to your healthcare provider to set your bad cholesterol goal
Your bad cholesterol goal depends on many things, including your medical history. Your healthcare provider will set that goal based on recommended LDL guidelines.
Because everyone is different, they may have different goals.
For example, a goal may be:
or
or
It is important to remember that your goal can change. The best way to know the bad cholesterol goal that is right for you is to talk with your healthcare provider.
Did you know?
In the US†:
people who’ve had a heart attack or stroke were not at their recommended bad cholesterol goal
†Based on market data of US adults from a large and representative database (Truven MarketScan Research Database). Enrollees had 1 valid LDL measurement in 2019, were diagnosed with ASCVD, and were at least 21 years of age.