You get your blood work back and your doctor mentions "elevated cholesterol." It sounds alarming — but what does it actually mean for your health? And more importantly, what can you do about it?

At Manatee Primary Care, we believe informed patients make better health decisions. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about cholesterol in plain language.

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance your body needs to build cells, produce hormones, and digest food. Your liver makes most of the cholesterol in your body — the rest comes from the food you eat.

The problem is not cholesterol itself. The problem is when certain types build up in your arteries, narrowing them and raising your risk of heart attack and stroke.

When you get a lipid panel, you receive four key values:

LDL ("Bad" Cholesterol) — Carries cholesterol into your arteries. High LDL is the primary driver of plaque buildup. For most adults, the goal is below 100 mg/dL.

HDL ("Good" Cholesterol) — Carries cholesterol away from your arteries and back to the liver. Higher is better. Above 60 mg/dL is considered protective against heart disease.

Triglycerides — Fats in your blood from calories you do not immediately use. High triglycerides (above 150 mg/dL) are linked to metabolic syndrome and diabetes. They respond well to dietary changes.

Total Cholesterol — The sum of your LDL, HDL, and a portion of triglycerides. Below 200 mg/dL is desirable — but your LDL-to-HDL ratio matters more than this single number.

At Manatee Primary Care, we offer Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) scoring — a low-dose CT scan that detects calcium deposits in your coronary arteries. This gives us a direct picture of plaque buildup, not just a risk estimate.

A CAC score of zero means very low near-term risk, even with borderline cholesterol. A high CAC score may prompt more aggressive treatment even if your cholesterol looks acceptable on paper. It is one of the most powerful tools available for personalizing your heart disease prevention plan.

• Diet: Saturated fats (red meat, full-fat dairy) and trans fats raise LDL
• Physical inactivity: Regular exercise raises HDL
• Obesity: Excess weight raises LDL and triglycerides
• Smoking: Damages blood vessels and lowers HDL
• Genetics: Familial hypercholesterolemia causes very high LDL regardless of diet
• Age: LDL tends to rise with age; women often see increases after menopause

Medication is not always the first step. These changes can meaningfully lower your LDL:

• Replace saturated fats with unsaturated fats (olive oil, avocado, nuts)
• Eat more soluble fiber (oats, beans, fruits, vegetables)
• Exercise at least 150 minutes per week
• Lose excess weight
• Quit smoking

When lifestyle changes are not enough, statins and other medications are highly effective and well-studied.

Adults 20 and older with no risk factors should be tested every 4–6 years. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of early heart disease, annual testing is recommended.

High cholesterol rarely causes symptoms — which is why regular screening matters. If you have not had your lipid panel checked recently, we are here to help.

Call us at (941) 867-9362 or request an appointment to schedule your cholesterol screening today.