Your Cholesterol Questions Answered by Cardiologists

Navigating the complexities of cholesterol can leave many with pressing questions. Based on expert advice from cardiologists, here are answers to some of the most common queries about this critical health marker, helping you better understand the risks and management strategies.
What exactly is “bad” cholesterol? “Bad” cholesterol is Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL). Its job is to transport cholesterol to cells, but when there’s too much of it, it deposits its cargo in the artery walls, leading to plaque. This is why persistently high LDL is considered a direct cause of atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes.
Can I have high cholesterol even if I’m thin? Absolutely. While being overweight is a risk factor, genetics plays a major role. You can be thin and still have a genetic predisposition that causes your body to produce too much cholesterol or struggle to clear it from your blood. This is why everyone needs to be screened, regardless of their weight.
Is diet and exercise always enough? No. While a healthy lifestyle is the foundation of management, it is often not enough for individuals at high risk or those with a strong genetic component. To reach the protective LDL targets (like under 70 mg/dL), many people require medication in addition to their lifestyle efforts.
How often should I get checked? This depends on your age and risk factors. Healthy adults might get checked every few years, but if you have risk factors like a family history of heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure, your doctor will recommend more frequent screenings, often annually.
Can the damage be reversed? Aggressively lowering LDL cholesterol can stabilize plaques and may even lead to a small amount of regression, but it’s difficult to completely reverse significant atherosclerosis. The primary goal of management is to halt the progression of the disease and prevent a future cardiovascular event. This is why prevention and early intervention are so crucial.