Ways to Lower High Cholesterol

To lower your cholesterol, you need to make changes in the way you live.  Talk to your doctor about what treatments can work for you.

Reduce the amount of fatty foods you eat

• Eat more foods low in fat 
• Eat smaller portion sizes
• Eat fruits and vegetables
• Eat foods with less calories

Increase your activity level
Talk to your doctor about any exercise you would like to do.

• Take the stairs
• Walk, swim, bike or dance
• Walk the dog
• Work in the yard
• Clean the house
  

Learn about medications
Ask your doctor what kind of medication you are on, or may need to be on, to lower your cholesterol.

If your doctor has prescribed medications, take them as directed.

• Statins help lower your LDL cholesterol, boost your HDL, and lower your triglycerides level.
• Fibric acid derivatives (or fibrates) help lower triglycerides and raise HDL levels.
• Nicotinic acid (or niacin) help lower triglycerides, raise your HDL levels and lower your LDL cholesterol.
• Bile acid seqestrants help lower your LDL cholesterol and raise your HDL levels.

Quit smoking

• Talk to your doctor about ways to help you stop smoking.
• Wellness classes and community resources
• Priority Health's Tobacco Cessation program
  
• Log in to your personal Priority Health account and check out the tobacco cessation tools that can help you stop smoking.