3 tips to reduce high cholesterol

For some people high cholesterol is genetic, but experts say there are still things everyone can do to manage and reduce cholesterol, even without medication.

Here, read on to find out the latest recommendations and strategies doctors are using to help their patients get healthy.

1. Eat a heart-healthy diet.
A diet low in saturated fat that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean protein and healthy fats like those found in nuts and seeds can help lower cholesterol.

“If someone is really motivated and they truly don’t have familial combined hyperlipidemia, it’s almost a guarantee that through aggressive nutrition they can lower their numbers dramatically,” Carney said.

2. Get genetic testing.
Just because you have a family history of high cholesterol doesn’t necessarily mean it’s genetic. It runs in the family simply because each generation has the same diet and lifestyle that the previous generation did.

Genetic tests that look at genes like APOE can determine your risk for a heart attack and stroke and can also predict if you are more likely to have side effects from statins, he said.

3. Get moving.
Regular exercise may raise HDL cholesterol and help aid weight loss, which can lower cholesterol.  

Follow NEWS.am Medicine on Facebook and Twitter