About P.A.D.: Control Your Cholesterol: Goals

What should my cholesterol goal be?

People with P.A.D. need to keep their LDL (bad) cholesterol level at less than 100 (or 100 mg/dl). If you have P.A.D. in your legs and your health care team has found that you are at very high risk for a heart attack or a stroke,you will need to lower your LDL cholesterol to less than 70.

“Very high risk” means that you have P.A.D. as well as other conditions that increase your risk for a heart attack or stroke. This includes smoking cigarettes and having diabetes, high blood pressure, high triglyceride levels or low HDL cholesterol levels. To reduce your heart disease risk and to keep it low, it is very important to control these other risk factors at the same time that you are lowering your LDL cholesterol.

How will I know if my cholesterol level is high?

The only way to know your cholesterol numbers is to have a blood test called a “lipoprotein profile.” Your cholesterol levels should be checked at least once a year. If you take medicines to control cholesterol, you may need to be checked more often.

What can I do to reach my LDL cholesterol goal?

Research studies show that both lifestyle changes and medicines can help to reduce LDL cholesterol levels. Since each person is different, it is very important to work with your health care team to find the treatment plan that is right for you. Here are some tips to help you lower your cholesterol and adopt a heart- healthy lifestyle.