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High cholesterol

Questions to ask your doctor

If you've been diagnosed with high cholesterol or a lipid disorder, you may want to talk with your doctor to find out more.

Here are some questions that you might want to ask:

Do I need to have my cholesterol checked?
Do I need to change my diet? If so, what should I eat? What should I avoid eating?
Do I need to do anything else, such as exercising more?
Do I need to lose weight?
What's the best treatment for me?
Do I need to take medication?
What are the side effects of treatment?
By how much will treatment lower my cholesterol?
Do I need to take vitamins or any other supplements?
What are my risk factors for heart disease?
What treatment should I have for these risk factors?
What about my family? Are they at risk of having high cholesterol or another lipid disorder?
How can I find out if my lipid disorder is inherited?
If you give me medication to lower my cholesterol, what is the target level you are aiming for?
Do I need to stop smoking?

This information was last updated on Sep 15, 2009

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
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