What Are the Treatments for Cholesterol Over 240?

When your total cholesterol level is over 240 mg/dL, you risk developing heart disease, so it is extremely important to lower you number. Treatments include a change in diet and exercise, as well as medications.

Diet

• According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, you can lower your cholesterol levels with a low saturated fat, low cholesterol diet. You can increase your soluble fiber intake to lower your cholesterol level further.

Exercise

• Thirty minutes of physical activity every day can raise your good cholesterol (HDL) levels and lower the bad cholesterol (LDL), while also aiding in weight management.

Weight

• By losing weight, you can increase your HDL, while lowering your LDL and total cholesterol level. If you are overweight, weight management may help lower your risk of heart disease.

Medications

• If life style changes do not lower your cholesterol level enough, you doctor may decide to put you on a drug treatment for your cholesterol. The medications address what is making your cholesterol level high, whether it is high triglycerides, low HDL or high LDL.

Other Risks

• Smoking and high blood pressure can elevate your cholesterol levels, so you may need to quit smoking and start taking blood pressure medications. A family history of heart disease, as well as your age and gender can be a factor in your cholesterol levels.