Be an active member of your healthcare team
You are the most important part of your own healthcare team. Your doctor can perform all the relevant tests and interpret the results. They can also prescribe medication and monitor your cholesterol levels. Doctors, pharmacists and nurses are all part of the team, but you are at its core.
You are the only member of the healthcare team who can make the necessary lifestyle changes. It's important to take an active part in the team by asking relevant questions about your cholesterol levels, your risk of developing cardiovascular disease and the role of medications in your treatment.
Target levels
Your personal cholesterol target levels will depend on your overall health including risk factors for high cholesterol as well as family history of cardiovascular disease. Your doctor is the best person to discuss your personal cholesterol target levels. Go to our speaking to a doctor section to better prepare yourself for cholesterol questions to ask.
Cholesterol target levels for people at high cardiovascular risk2
| HDL cholesterol |
greater than 1.0 mmol/L |
| LDL cholesterol |
less than 2.5 mmol/L |
| Triglycerides |
less than 1.5 mmol/L |
REMEMBER, if you have any doubts or concerns about risk factors for high cholesterol or if you need to discuss any other health matters, consult your doctor.
References
2 The National Heart Foundation of Australia and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand, Position Statement on Lipid Management – 2005.