Lower Your Bad Cholesterol

If you want to lower your bad cholesterol and experience a lifetime of good health, you need to work effectively with health care professionals, including your doctor, nurses, pharmacists, and (possibly) nutritionists, dieticians, holistic practitioners, and lipid specialists.

Communicating effectively with your doctors and care givers is very important, since you need to give them information about your condition and symptoms which may help them treat you. However, in today’s world, where many doctors and care givers are rushed and overworked, it can be difficult to communicate in the time your doctor appointment may take.

You can make it easier to communicate with health care workers by choosing the correct ones. Choose a doctor and specialists you feel comfortable with and trust. These professional should have credentials that make you feel that you are in good hands and should also genuinely listen to what you have to say.

If you feel that your concerns are not being taken seriously, there is no reason why you shouldn’t find a health care professional who will listen and give you the care you need. Ask friends and family members for their recommendations or ask for a referral for a second opinion.

Once you have found a doctor that you trust, don’t stop there. Ask questions often and from as many people as you can. Ask friends and family members about their experiences with high cholesterol, ask the nurses who take blood samples about the procedures of lab tests, take the pamphlets and booklets that are offered for free at many clinics.

The more professionals and people you ask and the more information you gather, the better you will be able to use your time with your doctor, since you will know the basics and will be able to ask directed and focused questions in the time you have with your doctor.

Come prepared for appointments. Do your research ahead of time, so that you do not spend the limited time you have with health care processionals asking basic questions such as "what is cholesterol" which you can find elsewhere. Spend the time with your doctor raising concerns, asking for cholesterol information that is relevant to your particular case, and getting instructions.

One excellent way to be prepared to speak with your doctor is to keep a journal about your heart health and cholesterol. Once your doctor determines that you have elevated levels of bad cholesterol, buy a plain notebook. In it, keep the facts and information you find about your medication, cholesterol, and treatments.

Note down important contact numbers - including contact information for your doctor. Keep track of all the things you do each day - including diet, exercise, and medical treatments - that may affect your cholesterol. In each day’s entry, also note any unusual symptoms or concerns you may have. Keep a running list of questions you may want to ask your doctor at your next appointment. Note the progress you are making. Bring this journal with you when you visit your doctor. It will prove invaluable to your health care processionals in helping you develop a form of treatment that works for you.

The most important thing about keeping lines of communication open with your doctor is to keep trying. Show up for appointments, voice your ideas, and follow the directions your doctor gives you.

If you are having trouble following a specific cholesterol-lowering treatment - whether it is because of side effects or lack of motivation - be frank with your doctor about this. Your doctor needs to understand what you are not doing that may be affecting your treatment. Often, your health care professional will be able to give you some tips for making the treatment more realistic for you or may be able to offer an alternative treatment for controlling your cholesterol.

Always be sure to tell your doctor about all medication, herbal treatments, vitamins, and over the counter products you are taking. These can affect your cholesterol medication and can also affect some medical tests.