High Cholesteral

Posted by John on April 13, 1999 at 16:53:34
I am a 37 year old male.  5"8 155 lbs.  Following my annual blood test, my Doctor advised me that my cholesteral level is 6.01.  Is this too high, how can I bring it down if so?

Posted by CCF CARDIO MD-APS on April 17, 1999 at 11:41:11
Dear John,
Since all labs have variations on "normal ranges" for index numbers as you report above, I can not comment except to sayt that you should ask your doctor where this ratio falls in regards to normal and if above normal ask for dietary advice if not a consult to see a dietician.  Changing your diet to lower your cholesterol is a lifelong change, and even if your cholesterol turns out to be normal, you still should adopt a low cholesterol diet.  Do not replace fat calories with carbohydrates ("low fat foods")however as this is just as bad for your health.  In general the average person can maintain a normal cholesterol level if s/he eats a diet low in fat (less than 30% of the daily caloric intake), and exercise daily (45minutes of aerobic exercise.)
I hope this information is useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for
general purposes only.  Only your physician can provided specific diagnoses and therapies.
Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck!
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please
call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at
www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the
cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your
cardiac problem.