Cardiologists, Primary Care Providers can Help Patients Manage the Condition

High cholesterol, a waxy, fat-like substance found in the blood, can be harmful to a person’s health. That’s why ThedaCare is encouraging people to understand their cholesterol levels and their risk for diseases associated with high cholesterol numbers.

Since it has no symptoms, many people with high cholesterol don’t know they have it so they aren’t treating or addressing their condition. This may put them at greater risk for health issues such as heart disease, stroke, peripheral artery disease and high blood pressure.

Nearly 25 million U.S. adults have high cholesterol, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Another 86 million have borderline high cholesterol.

“The first step is knowing your cholesterol levels,” said Dr. Abdulmohsin Ahmadjee, a Cardiologist with ThedaCare Cardiovascular Care. “From there, your cardiologist or primary care provider can work with you to manage and treat your high cholesterol.”

Cholesterol 101

The body needs cholesterol to build cells and make vitamins and other hormones. At a certain threshold, cholesterol can become problematic. When the level of bad, or low-density lipoprotein (LDL), cholesterol becomes too high, it can lead to a buildup of plaque in the arteries. This may increase the risk for conditions such as heart attack, heart disease and stroke.

Cholesterol is made up of two parts:

• LDL is known as bad cholesterol because it contributes to fatty buildup in the arteries.
• HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is called good cholesterol because it helps clear out the cholesterol your body doesn’t need.

A lipid panel is a common blood test that measures the levels of certain types of fat in the blood. This includes total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides (they store excess fat from a person’s diet). In general, optimal numbers are as follows:

• Total cholesterol: <200 mg/dl
• LDL cholesterol: <100 mg/dl
• HDL cholesterol: >60 mg/dl
• Triglycerides: <150 mg/dl

“It’s tempting to focus on numbers alone, but it’s not always that simple,” Dr. Ahmadjee said. “Your primary care provider will assess your complete health picture to help determine if your cholesterol levels are of concern.”

Based on a person’s individual risk factors, their primary care provider may also determine at what age they should first have a lipid panel and how often they should complete the blood test. A person’s age, gender, family history and heart disease risk factors all come into play in decision-making.

“When you stay on top of routine care, your primary care provider can more effectively help you track and manage your cholesterol and other heart health risk factors,” Dr. Ahmadjee said. “Certain factors can increase your risk for developing high cholesterol. Some of these you can control, some, you can’t.”

Risk factors include type 2 diabetes, obesity, family history of high cholesterol, poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, age (risk increases as a person ages) and gender (women’s risk increases after menopause).

Prevention and Management

There are steps people can take to help reduce their risk for high cholesterol, Dr. Ahmadjee said. They include but aren’t limited to:

• Eating a healthy, balanced diet
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Exercising regularly
• Quitting smoking
• Limiting alcohol

Lifestyle modifications alone might not be enough to treat high cholesterol. A person’s primary care provider or cardiologist may recommend one or more medications to help manage high cholesterol.

Statins, which block a substance the liver needs to make cholesterol, are common. Other types of drugs include cholesterol absorption inhibitors and medications for high triglycerides.

“Any medication you take can work in concert with healthy lifestyle steps that your doctor recommends,” Dr. Ahmadjee said. “It’s important for you to take medications as directed, as they can help reduce your risk for heart attack and stroke. If you’re experiencing bothersome side effects, talk with your provider.”

Dr. Ahmadjee encouraged people to consult with a health care provider and start a heart health conversation to better ensure their long-term cardiovascular health. For more information, visit ThedaCare Cardiovascular Care.

About ThedaCare

For more than 115 years, ThedaCare® has been improving the health and well-being of the communities it serves in Northeast and Central Wisconsin. The organization delivers care to more than 650,000 residents in 17 counties, and employs approximately 7,000 providers and team members at 180 points of care, including nine hospitals. As an organization committed to being a leader in Population Health, team members are dedicated to empowering people to live their unique, best lives. ThedaCare is a not-for-profit health system with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment, stroke and cardiac programs, as well as primary care. ThedaCare also partners with communities to understand needs, find solutions together, and encourage health awareness and action. In 2024, ThedaCare and Froedtert Health combined to form one system to strengthen local health care and provide high-quality services for treatment and prevention in a coordinated manner.