The need for setting cholesterol goals is clear; more than 102 million Americans age 20 and over have high total cholesterol levels, with 35 million of these people having levels over 240 mg/dL, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These statistics clearly indicate a need for personal goals to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Determine Your Cholesterol Levels
Different cholesterol types require different treatment plans. The only way to properly set cholesterol-lowering goals is to identify the type of cholesterol you need to improve. A lipid profile is a blood test your doctor orders to detect all amounts of cholesterol in your blood. Cleveland Clinic explains everyone age 20 and older should have a cholesterol test once every five years.
Identify Your Risk Factors
When discussing cholesterol levels, a risk factor is anything that increases your chances of developing heart disease. These include smoking, high blood pressure, a family history of heart disease and your age. If your LDL, or bad cholesterol, is high, your doctor typically takes these risk factors into consideration when devising a treatment plan. He may also set your goal LDL level a bit lower than average -- 100 mg/dL or less.
Consider Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is a group of specific risk factors that increase your risk of developing heart disease, whether your LDL cholesterol is healthy or high. Signs include a waist of 35 inches or more in women and 40 inches or greater in men; triglyceride levels greater than 150 mg/dL; a fasting blood sugar level of 110 mg/dL or more; blood pressure of 130/85 or higher; and a low HDL, or good, cholesterol. Having three or more of these constitutes metabolic syndrome and requires a more intense cholesterol treatment, according to Cleveland Clinic.
The Role of Medication
Cholesterol-lowering medications might be necessary when setting your goals. Although you may not want to cope with any possible side effects, the benefits these medications have to offer can save your life. Discuss your options with your doctor; you may require one drug or a combination of drugs to bring your levels within a healthy range.
