Preparing questions in advance can help patients to have more meaningful discussions with their physicians regarding their conditions. Patients may wish to ask their doctor the following questions related to cholesterol:

1. What is my LDL? My HDL? My triglyceride level? My cholesterol ratio?
   
   
2. What factors are likely contributing to my cholesterol levels?
   
   
3. Based on all of my risk factors, what is my 10-year risk of experiencing a cardiovascular event?
   
   
4. What are my ideal cholesterol levels?
   
   
5. What immediate steps can I take to reduce my LDL and raise my HDL?
   
   
6. Am I candidate for cholesterol-lowering medications, such as statins?
   
   
7. If I start taking statins, will I be on them for life?
   
   
8. Are there any dietary supplements that might help lower my cholesterol? Any I should avoid?
   
   
9. Will exercise help lower my cholesterol?
   
   
10. What if lifestyle changes and medications don't lower my cholesterol? What is the next step?
    
    
11. When should I be tested again for elevated cholesterol levels?
    
    
12. Should I be tested for apolipoprotein a or apolipoprotein b? What about LDL particle size and number?