High Cholesterol and Triglycerides

Personalized medical consultation: We evaluate your medical history, perform physical and laboratory tests, and offer you an individualized treatment plan.

Treatments: We offer a variety of treatment options, including changes in diet, exercise, medications and, in some cases, surgery.

Follow-up: We monitor your progress closely and give you the support you need to achieve your health goals.

Usually in a blood test to monitor cholesterol levels, called a 'lipidogram' or 'lipid profile', reports the following:

Cholesterol total

LDL Cholesterol

HDL Cholesterol

Triglycerides: a type of blood fat

Your health provider at Clinica San Miguel will call you once the results are in and will explain and answer your questions.

For most children, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute recommends cholesterol screening between ages 9 and 11, followed by repeat screening every five years.

If your child has a family history of early-onset heart disease or a personal history of obesity or diabetes, the doctor may recommend cholesterol testing at an earlier age or more frequently.

The main measure to reduce high cholesterol is to change your lifestyle: exercise more and eat healthier.

However, if you have already made these major lifestyle changes and your cholesterol levels are still high, your doctor may recommend that you take medication.

Whether a medication or combination of medications is recommended depends on several factors, including personal risk factors, age, health, and possible side effects.

Statins – Atorvastatin, Simvastatin, etc.

Cholesterol absorption inhibitors – Ezetimibe (Zetia)

Bempedoic acid – Nexletol, Nexlizet

Bile acid resins – Cholestyramine, Colesevelam, Colestipol

PCSK9 inhibitors – Alirocumab (Praluent), Evolocumab (Repatha)

Fibrates – Fenofibrate, Gemfibrozil

Niacin – limits the liver's ability to produce LDL and VLDL cholesterol.

Omega-3 fatty acid supplements – may help reduce triglycerides, consult a doctor first.

Tolerance to medications varies by person.

Common side effects: muscle pain, memory loss, high blood sugar.

Doctors may recommend liver function tests while taking cholesterol meds.

Side effects in children may include muscle damage, memory issues, and elevated blood sugar.

Regular liver monitoring may be necessary.