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High cholesterol

Need to connect with a healthcare provider about high cholesterol?

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In-office and scheduled remote visits are best for on-going care with a primary care provider, and are billed to you or your insurance (deductibles and copays apply, depending on your insurance plan). Costs are not included in the membership.
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If you meet these criteria, you may want to schedule a visit ⚠

Scheduled in-office and remote visits are billed to you or your insurance; copays and deductibles may apply. Available where One Medical has offices.
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You’re over the age of 18
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You’ve been diagnosed with high cholesterol in the past
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A close relative has been diagnosed with high cholesterol or heart disease
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You’ve never had your cholesterol checked and want to learn more
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You are near a One Medical office
What is high cholesterol?

What is high cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a type of fat (lipid) found in the blood. A certain amount of cholesterol is healthy and necessary for our bodies to function normally, but too much cholesterol can cause problems over time. Certain types of cholesterol can silently build up along the inside of arteries (a type of blood vessel), forming plaques that narrow the artery. These plaques can eventually block blood flow to areas of the body like the heart, brain, and arms and legs.

An overview of high cholesterol

Most people with high cholesterol have no symptoms. Blood tests are the only way to know if you have high cholesterol. Over time, high cholesterol can lead to other problems in the body, such as heart attack or stroke. By combining medical treatment and lifestyle behaviors, you can get your cholesterol back to normal and reduce your risk for complications. Your provider will partner with you to determine which (if any) treatment is ideal for you based on your lab test results and health history.

Related conditions that One Medical treats

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High blood pressure (Hypertension)

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Type 2 diabetes mellitus

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Frequently asked questions

Where are scheduled visits available?
In-Office Visits are scheduled appointments with the provider of your choice. One Medical members can easily book In-Office Visits at any of our One Medical offices, in:
Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Cape Cod, Charlotte, Chicago, Columbus, Connecticut, D.C Metro Area (DMV), Dallas-Ft. Worth, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami -Ft. Lauderdale, Milwaukee (coming soon), New Jersey (coming soon), New York, Orange County, Phoenix, Portland, Raleigh-Durham, San Diego, Seattle-Tacoma, SF Bay Area, Triad, Tucson. More location details.

Remote Visits are scheduled, virtual appointments with the provider of your choice and are available in US states where One Medical offices are located.

In-Office and Remote Visits are not included in the membership and are billed to you/your insurance; copays and deductibles may apply.
What do cholesterol blood tests check for, and what do the results mean?
A typical lipid (cholesterol) blood test measures a few different things:
• Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or "bad" cholesterol: High levels of LDL cholesterol can lead to a buildup of plaque in your blood vessels (arteries). Over time, these plaques can narrow the inside of arteries, blocking blood flow and increasing the risk of a future heart attack or stroke.
• High-density lipoprotein (HDL) or "good" cholesterol: A high HDL level is good news! HDL counteracts LDL cholesterol by taking excess back to the liver to be broken down and removed from the body, lowering the risk of future heart attack and stroke.
• Triglycerides: Like cholesterol, triglycerides are a type of fat. The combination of high levels of triglycerides with either low HDL cholesterol or high LDL cholesterol levels can increase your risk for heart attack and stroke.
• Total cholesterol: This number reflects the total amount of cholesterol in your blood. Because it factors in both LDL (“bad”) and HDL (“good”) cholesterol, the total cholesterol level doesn’t give us much useful information on its own. For example, someone with high HDL could have a high total cholesterol level but low risk for heart disease and stroke.
These tests can provide clues to your heart health and future risk for conditions like heart disease and stroke, but they’re just one piece of the puzzle. One Medical providers consider these numbers alongside other information about your current health, medical history, and family history in recommending a treatment plan.
What is apolipoprotein B (apoB)?
Apolipoprotein B (apoB) is a protein that transports fats (lipids) throughout the body. Think of it as a kind of cargo tag that helps package and deliver cholesterol and other fats to cells that need them in order to function normally. This tag also helps apoB deliver fats to artery walls, speeding up the development of plaques that can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Monitoring apoB levels can give insight into a person's risk for heart disease and stroke, and levels can also be used to set goals of medical therapy.
For people over the age of 40, One Medical providers usually recommend checking an apoB test along with a standard lipid (cholesterol) lab panel. Your provider may also recommend an apoB test if you’re under the age of 40 but have risk factors for conditions like heart disease and stroke. Your provider can give you the details you’ll need to check on insurance coverage and information about the cost of the test.
Can exercise help with type 2 diabetes?
Regular physical activity is an important part of living with diabetes and helps to lower blood sugar. Physical activity has other benefits, too - it can help lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, improve sleep, and improve memory and mood. The goal is simply to get exercise as many days per week as possible, in whatever way best fits with your interests and lifestyle right now. If you haven’t been active in a while, start slow and talk with your provider about the best way to safely increase your physical activity.
How often should I have my cholesterol checked?
How often you should have your cholesterol checked depends on a few factors, including your age and overall risk for conditions like heart disease and stroke. Your provider will estimate your level of risk based on factors like your current health status, health history, and family history. If you’re at low risk, your provider will likely recommend testing every 4-6 years. If your risk is moderate and you aren’t taking cholesterol-lowering medication, your provider may recommend testing closer to every 4 years. If you start taking cholesterol-lowering medication, your provider will recheck your cholesterol about 1-3 months after you start medication to make sure that the medication is working as expected. Once you’re on a stable dose of medication, research tells us that regular cholesterol testing generally isn’t needed.
When might my provider recommend medication for high cholesterol?
You might be surprised to learn that it’s not about your cholesterol numbers - at least not entirely. In the past, a provider would recommend medication to lower cholesterol if levels were above a certain number, then they would check blood tests regularly to make sure that your LDL (“bad”) cholesterol stayed under a certain target level.
These days, we think differently about when to start medication for high cholesterol. What really matters is your overall risk of heart attack and stroke (cardiovascular disease). Factors like smoking cigarettes, getting older, and having other health conditions that increase your risk are even bigger factors in your heart health than LDL cholesterol. We don’t really know how much LDL cholesterol affects your cardiovascular disease risk, but do know that medications that lower cholesterol can protect against heart attack and stroke for those who are at a higher risk overall.
What kinds of medication are used to treat high cholesterol?
The most common medications used to treat high cholesterol belong to the family of drugs called statins. These medications work by blocking the production of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol in the liver and helping the liver remove LDL cholesterol from the blood, where it could otherwise build up along the walls of arteries and form plaques. Statins can also reduce triglycerides and increase HDL (“good”) cholesterol. Most people will need to take a statin long-term and can do so safely.
A few other types of medication can help to lower cholesterol for people who can’t take a statin or whose LDL cholesterol is still too high despite taking a statin. Other oral medications are used less often due to side effects, cost, or lower effectiveness than statins. Drugs from a newer family of injectable medications called PCSK9 inhibitors work well to reduce LDL levels, but these expensive medications are usually only recommended for people with an inherited (genetic) condition that causes very high cholesterol.
Will I need a prescription?
A provider will determine if you need prescription medication to treat your conditions and/or symptoms. If your care plan includes a prescription, you'll be asked to select a pharmacy. You can send it to your preferred pharmacy or select Amazon Pharmacy to get your medications delivered right to your door.
Are cholesterol-lowering medications (statins) safe?
Statins, the most common type of medication used for high cholesterol, have been studied for many years and are safe for most people to take long-term. Some people worry that statins could lead to problems like memory loss, cataracts, or diabetes, but statins haven’t been shown to cause any of these issues based on the latest research. Some people do experience side effects while taking a statin, but these often get better with time or can be managed by switching from one statin to another or reducing the dose. If you notice side effects while taking a statin, talk with your provider about your symptoms so that you can work together on a plan.
What’s the best diet for heart health?
A heart-healthy diet involves eating plenty of whole foods while limiting processed foods and foods with added sugars. A heart-healthy diet should include fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, low-fat dairy, lean protein, and healthy fats. When it comes to fat, it turns out that the kinds of fats in your diet are much more important than the amount. Sources of healthy fats include olive oil, fatty fish, nuts, and seeds. Limit hydrogenated (trans) fat and saturated fat, which can increase LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels. Saturated fats are found in animal products like meat and higher-fat dairy products and in tropical oils like coconut and palm oils. Trans fats can be found in margarine, vegetable shortening, fried foods, and baked goods like pies, cookies, cakes, and crackers.
Besides a healthy diet, what habits can help me to keep my heart healthy?
Physical activity is an important way to keep your heart healthy and manage cholesterol levels. Physical activity helps by lowering LDL (“bad”) levels and raising HDL (“good”) levels. Physical activity has other benefits, too - it can help lower blood pressure, improve sleep, and improve memory and mood. The goal is simply to get exercise as many days per week as possible, in whatever way best fits with your interests and lifestyle right now. If you haven’t been active in a while, start slow and talk with your provider about the best way to safely increase your physical activity.
If you smoke, quitting will help to lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, and a variety of other health problems. Quitting isn’t easy, and having the right support can make a big difference. One Medical offers both scheduled visits and on-demand care for those who are thinking about quitting, ready to quit, or just want to know more about what support options are available.
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