High cholesterol — specifically elevated LDL and low HDL — is a primary driver of atherosclerosis, the arterial plaque buildup that causes most heart attacks and strokes. Like hypertension, it has no symptoms. A simple blood test at Viva Medical Center in Doral is all it takes to know where you stand.
Target Levels
Total cholesterol: below 200 mg/dL. LDL ('bad'): below 100 mg/dL (below 70 mg/dL if you have heart disease or diabetes). HDL ('good'): above 40 mg/dL men, 50 mg/dL women. Triglycerides: below 150 mg/dL.
Treatment Options
- Dietary changes: reduce saturated/trans fats, increase fiber, add omega-3s
- Exercise: 150 minutes/week of moderate activity raises HDL
- Statins: first-line, proven 25–35% LDL reduction
- Ezetimibe: add-on therapy for statin-resistant cases
- PCSK9 inhibitors: injectable biologics for very high-risk patients
- Bempedoic acid: for statin-intolerant patients
Who Should Be Screened
- All adults 35+ annually
- Adults 20–35 with cardiovascular risk factors
- Patients with diabetes or hypertension
- Family history of early heart disease or high cholesterol