Working with Your Doctor
Since high cholesterol and 
typically don’t have symptoms you can feel, it’s important to talk to your doctor about them, get your cholesterol tested, and then follow his or her recommendations if you need to take action. An ongoing, productive dialogue between you and your doctor can help you stay on track as you work to manage your cholesterol and slow the buildup of in your .
Setting Goals Together
Your cholesterol levels may change throughout your life, and other health conditions that can make managing your cholesterol more important may develop or go away over time. You and your doctor should always be aware of your cholesterol levels and any specific health issues. Then you should work together to set goals and plans for reaching them that are realistic, that benefit your health, and that you can agree to follow.
Making Every Conversation Count
Getting prepared ahead of time can help you make the most of your visits with your doctor. While you’re in the office, find out why each topic being discussed is important to your health, and how it all fits together. If the discussion gets complicated, don’t be afraid to ask whether your doctor has any charts or tools you can look at, or if he or she can refer you to any books or Web sites that might provide more information.
Together, you and your doctor will build an action plan to help you manage your cholesterol and slow the progression of plaque buildup in your arteries. The better prepared you are, the more valuable the visit will be.
To help plan ahead for your doctor visit, make a comprehensive list of questions for your doctor.
Get a helpful list of questions to get you started.