Most people do not feel high cholesterol.
It does not usually cause pain. It does not always announce itself with dramatic symptoms. It does not wake you up in the middle of the night and say, “Pay attention to me.” Many patients with high cholesterol feel completely normal.
And that is exactly why cholesterol screening matters.
A person can go through years of daily life — working, raising a family, driving across Houston traffic, eating quickly between appointments, skipping exercise because the day was too long, postponing medical checkups because nothing seems urgent — while cholesterol quietly contributes to plaque buildup inside the arteries.
High cholesterol is not just a lab result.
It is a signal.
It can be a warning sign that your heart, arteries, and vascular system need attention before a heart attack, stroke, coronary artery disease, or peripheral artery disease enters the picture.
At CARDIO Houston, cholesterol screening and lipid management are part of a deeper mission: Early Detection. Advanced Treatment. Better Outcomes.
Led by Dr. Ricardo V. Bellera, CARDIO Houston provides advanced cardiovascular care with compassion and innovation for patients across Houston, Katy, The Woodlands, Spring, and surrounding communities. The practice helps patients understand what their cholesterol numbers mean, how those numbers relate to their personal cardiovascular risk, and what steps can be taken to protect long-term heart and vascular health.
Because cholesterol care should never be reduced to one sentence: “Your cholesterol is high.”
Patients deserve more than that.
They deserve an explanation. They deserve a plan. They deserve a physician who looks at the full picture, not just one number on a lab report.
What Is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in the blood. The body needs cholesterol to build cells, produce hormones, and perform important functions. But when certain types of cholesterol are too high, they can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
The problem is not that cholesterol exists.
The problem is when there is too much of the wrong kind of cholesterol circulating in the blood for too long.
The CDC explains that high cholesterol can lead to health problems and that adults with total cholesterol above 200 mg/dL may be considered to have high cholesterol. It also identifies optimal levels around 150 mg/dL for total cholesterol and around 100 mg/dL for LDL cholesterol in many people, although individual goals vary depending on cardiovascular risk.
This is one of the most important points patients need to understand:
Cholesterol goals are not the same for everyone.
A healthy young adult with no risk factors, a patient with diabetes, a person with a strong family history of early heart disease, and someone who already had a heart attack do not all have the same cardiovascular risk. That means their cholesterol numbers must be interpreted differently.
At CARDIO Houston, lipid screening is not about treating a number in isolation.
It is about understanding the patient behind the number.
What Is a Lipid Screening?
A lipid screening, also called a lipid panel or cholesterol test, is a blood test that measures fats in the blood. It is one of the most common and important tools used in preventive cardiology.
A standard lipid panel usually includes:
- Total cholesterol
- LDL cholesterol
- HDL cholesterol
- Triglycerides
In some patients, a more advanced cardiovascular risk evaluation may also consider additional markers such as non-HDL cholesterol, ApoB, lipoprotein(a), inflammatory risk factors, diabetes status, blood pressure, family history, coronary calcium scoring, and other clinical details.
The purpose of lipid screening is not just to detect high cholesterol. The purpose is to help estimate cardiovascular risk and guide prevention.
That difference matters.
A cholesterol test can tell you your numbers.
A preventive cardiology evaluation can help explain what those numbers mean for your heart, your arteries, your risk, and your future.
Why Cholesterol Screening Matters Even If You Feel Fine
One of the biggest dangers of high cholesterol is that patients often feel normal.
A person may have elevated LDL cholesterol for years without chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, or any obvious symptom. Meanwhile, plaque may slowly build up in the arteries.
This process is called atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis occurs when fatty deposits, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances accumulate inside the artery walls. Over time, plaque can narrow the arteries and reduce blood flow. If plaque ruptures, it can trigger a blood clot and lead to a heart attack or stroke.
That is why lipid screening is a prevention tool.
It helps identify risk before a major event occurs.
The CDC recommends that most healthy adults have their cholesterol checked every 4 to 6 years, while people with heart disease, diabetes, or a family history of high cholesterol may need testing more often.
At CARDIO Houston, Dr. Bellera helps patients go beyond the basic question of whether cholesterol is “normal” or “high.” The real question is:
What does this cholesterol profile mean for this specific patient?
That includes looking at age, blood pressure, diabetes, smoking history, family history, symptoms, prior test results, weight, lifestyle, medication use, and overall cardiovascular risk.
Understanding LDL Cholesterol: The Number Patients Usually Worry About Most
LDL cholesterol is often called “bad cholesterol.”
That nickname is simple, but the reason behind it is important. LDL carries cholesterol through the bloodstream. When LDL levels are too high, cholesterol can contribute to plaque buildup in the arteries.
The American Heart Association explains that HDL cholesterol helps carry LDL cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, but HDL does not eliminate all LDL cholesterol from the blood. Only a fraction of blood cholesterol is carried by HDL.
In practical terms, LDL is usually one of the most important numbers in cardiovascular prevention.
But LDL goals depend on risk.
A patient with no major risk factors may have a different LDL target than a patient with diabetes, coronary artery disease, prior stent placement, peripheral artery disease, or a strong family history of heart attack.
The 2019 ACC/AHA primary prevention guideline identifies statin therapy as first-line treatment for primary prevention in specific higher-risk groups, including patients with LDL cholesterol levels of 190 mg/dL or higher, patients with diabetes in certain age ranges, and patients at sufficient ASCVD risk after clinician-patient discussion.
More recent ACC/AHA lipid guidance also emphasizes LDL-C goals based on risk category, including lower LDL-C targets for patients at higher cardiovascular risk.
That is why a patient should not look at LDL in isolation.
The same LDL number may mean different things in different people.
At CARDIO Houston, cholesterol management is personalized because prevention should match the person, not just the lab report.
HDL Cholesterol: The “Good” Cholesterol, But Not a Free Pass
HDL cholesterol is often called “good cholesterol” because it helps remove some cholesterol from the bloodstream and transport it back to the liver.
In general, higher HDL has traditionally been considered favorable. But patients sometimes misunderstand HDL.
A high HDL number does not automatically erase the risk of high LDL, high triglycerides, diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, or a family history of early heart disease.
In other words, HDL is part of the story.
It is not the whole story.
This is one reason a full cardiovascular risk assessment is more useful than simply looking at one cholesterol number.
At CARDIO Houston, Dr. Bellera helps patients understand how HDL fits into the broader picture of heart disease prevention.
Triglycerides: The Forgotten Number in Cholesterol Testing
Many patients focus on LDL and HDL but overlook triglycerides.
Triglycerides are a type of fat in the blood that the body uses for energy. After eating, extra calories — especially from sugars, refined carbohydrates, and alcohol — can be converted into triglycerides and stored as fat.
High triglycerides can be associated with:
- Diabetes
- Insulin resistance
- Obesity
- Metabolic syndrome
- Excess alcohol intake
- Diet high in refined carbohydrates
- Low physical activity
- Certain medications
- Genetic factors
- Increased cardiovascular risk
- Pancreatitis when levels are very high
The CDC notes that the combination of high triglycerides with low HDL cholesterol or high LDL cholesterol can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
The American Heart Association also explains that triglyceride-lowering medications may be used in some situations, especially when triglycerides are very high, because lowering very high triglycerides can help prevent pancreatitis.
At CARDIO Houston, triglycerides are not ignored. They are interpreted in the context of the patient’s metabolic health, blood sugar, weight, lifestyle, and cardiovascular risk.
Total Cholesterol: Useful, But Not Enough by Itself
Total cholesterol is the overall amount of cholesterol in the blood, including LDL, HDL, and other lipid components.
It is useful, but it can be misleading if viewed alone.
For example, two patients may have the same total cholesterol but very different LDL, HDL, and triglyceride levels. One may have a more concerning risk profile than the other.
That is why a lipid screening should not stop at total cholesterol.
Patients need to understand the pattern.
At CARDIO Houston, lipid results are reviewed as part of a larger cardiovascular picture so patients receive a practical explanation, not just a number.
Non-HDL Cholesterol, ApoB, and Lipoprotein(a): When Advanced Lipid Risk Matters
A standard lipid panel is often enough for many patients, but some people benefit from more advanced risk assessment.
This may include markers such as:
- Non-HDL cholesterol
- Apolipoprotein B, also called ApoB
- Lipoprotein(a), also called Lp(a)
- Coronary artery calcium score
- Other risk-enhancing factors
These tools may be especially helpful when risk is unclear, when family history is strong, when LDL and triglycerides tell an incomplete story, or when a patient appears healthy but may still have hidden cardiovascular risk.
Newer ACC/AHA lipid guidance has highlighted additional testing such as ApoB, Lp(a), and coronary artery calcium scoring as useful tools in selected patients to better refine cardiovascular risk.
This is where preventive cardiology becomes more precise.
The goal is not to order unnecessary tests.
The goal is to identify the right level of risk and make better decisions.
High Cholesterol and Heart Disease: How They Are Connected
High cholesterol is one of the major contributors to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, commonly called ASCVD.
ASCVD includes conditions such as:
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Carotid artery disease
- Peripheral artery disease
- Aortic disease in certain contexts
Cholesterol contributes to plaque buildup. Plaque can narrow arteries. Narrowed arteries can reduce blood flow. Unstable plaque can rupture and lead to blood clots.
That is the dangerous chain.
This is why cholesterol management is not cosmetic. It is not about having “pretty” lab results.
It is about reducing the risk of serious cardiovascular events.
At CARDIO Houston, Dr. Bellera helps patients understand that the goal of lipid screening is prevention, protection, and early action.
Who Should Get Cholesterol Screening?
Cholesterol screening is important for many adults, including people who feel healthy.
You may need lipid screening or cholesterol management if you:
- Have not had your cholesterol checked recently
- Have high blood pressure
- Have diabetes or prediabetes
- Smoke or previously smoked
- Have a family history of heart disease
- Have a family history of high cholesterol
- Are overweight or obese
- Have a sedentary lifestyle
- Have chest pain or shortness of breath
- Have leg pain while walking
- Have known vascular disease
- Have had an abnormal EKG or stress test
- Have had a prior heart attack, stent, or bypass surgery
- Have kidney disease
- Have inflammatory conditions
- Are concerned about long-term heart risk
- Want a preventive cardiology evaluation
The CDC notes that people with diabetes or a family history of high cholesterol may need cholesterol testing more often than healthy adults.
At CARDIO Houston, lipid screening is especially valuable when it is connected to cardiovascular risk assessment.
That is what turns a simple blood test into a prevention strategy.
High Cholesterol and High Blood Pressure: A Dangerous Combination
High cholesterol and high blood pressure often travel together.
When cholesterol contributes to plaque buildup, arteries can become narrower and less flexible. When blood pressure is elevated, the heart and arteries are placed under additional stress.
Together, these conditions can significantly increase cardiovascular risk.
A patient with both hypertension and high LDL cholesterol may need a more aggressive prevention plan than someone with only one mild risk factor.
This is why CARDIO Houston evaluates cholesterol within the full cardiovascular profile.
A lipid panel matters.
But so does blood pressure.
So does diabetes.
So does smoking.
So does family history.
So does lifestyle.
So does age.
So does the patient’s story.
High Cholesterol and Diabetes: Why Prevention Matters Even More
Diabetes changes cardiovascular risk.
Many patients think of diabetes only as a blood sugar problem, but diabetes also affects blood vessels and increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
The CDC states that type 2 diabetes can lower HDL cholesterol and raise LDL cholesterol, a combination that increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
For patients with diabetes, cholesterol management is often a central part of prevention.
At CARDIO Houston, diabetes-related cardiovascular prevention may include:
- Lipid screening
- Blood pressure evaluation
- Medication review
- Lifestyle counseling
- Cardiovascular risk assessment
- Coronary artery disease evaluation when appropriate
- Vascular screening when clinically indicated
- Coordination with primary care or endocrinology
If you have diabetes, your cholesterol numbers deserve serious attention even if you feel well.
Prevention is not about fear.
It is about acting before damage becomes harder to reverse.
High Cholesterol and Family History: “But I Eat Well”
Some patients are surprised by high cholesterol results.
They exercise. They are not overweight. They do not eat fast food every day. They may say, “I do not understand. I thought I was healthy.”
The answer is often genetics.
Family history can strongly influence cholesterol levels and cardiovascular risk. Some people inherit a tendency to have high LDL cholesterol. Others may have relatives who experienced heart attacks, strokes, or vascular disease at a young age.
This is why CARDIO Houston takes family history seriously.
Important questions include:
- Did a parent or sibling have a heart attack?
- At what age did it happen?
- Is there a family history of stroke?
- Do relatives have high cholesterol?
- Has anyone needed stents or bypass surgery?
- Is there sudden cardiac death in the family?
- Has anyone been diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolemia?
When family history is strong, earlier and more detailed screening may be appropriate.
Lifestyle matters, but genetics matter too.
A patient should never feel ashamed because cholesterol is high.
The right response is not guilt.
The right response is evaluation, explanation, and a plan.
Can High Cholesterol Cause Symptoms?
High cholesterol itself usually does not cause symptoms.
That is one of the reasons it can be dangerous.
Patients may not know they have a problem until plaque buildup leads to symptoms or complications such as:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Leg pain with walking
- Poor circulation
- Peripheral artery disease
- Carotid artery disease
Some rare genetic cholesterol disorders may cause visible signs, but most patients with high cholesterol will not notice anything.
That is why lipid screening is so important.
Feeling fine does not always mean your arteries are fine.
What Happens During a Cholesterol Screening Visit at CARDIO Houston?
A cholesterol screening or preventive cardiology visit at CARDIO Houston is designed to give patients clarity.
Depending on the patient’s needs, the visit may include:
- Review of lipid panel results
- Discussion of LDL, HDL, triglycerides, and total cholesterol
- Review of blood pressure
- Medical history evaluation
- Family history review
- Diabetes or prediabetes assessment
- Smoking history
- Medication review
- Lifestyle discussion
- Cardiovascular risk calculation
- Evaluation of symptoms
- EKG when appropriate
- Discussion of coronary calcium scoring when appropriate
- Review of possible medication options
- Personalized prevention plan
- Follow-up testing strategy
The purpose is not to overwhelm the patient.
The purpose is to answer the questions that matter:
Am I at risk?
What do my numbers mean?
Do I need treatment?
Can I improve this with lifestyle changes?
Do I need medication?
Should I get additional testing?
How can I prevent a heart attack or stroke?
At CARDIO Houston, patients are guided through these questions with a human, compassionate approach.
Coronary Calcium Scoring and Cholesterol: Seeing Risk More Clearly
A coronary artery calcium score, often called a CAC score, is a CT-based test that detects calcified plaque in the coronary arteries.
The coronary arteries supply blood to the heart muscle. When calcium is present, it may indicate atherosclerotic plaque.
CAC scoring can be useful in selected patients, especially when the decision about cholesterol medication is not obvious.
The ACC summary of the 2019 ACC/AHA primary prevention guideline explains that coronary artery calcium scoring can help reclassify risk in certain patients. For example, a CAC score of zero may allow some patients to delay statin therapy, except in higher-risk cases such as diabetes, family history of premature coronary heart disease, or smoking.
This does not mean every patient needs a coronary calcium score.
It means that for some patients, advanced risk assessment can help make prevention more personalized.
At CARDIO Houston, Dr. Bellera may discuss coronary calcium scoring when it can meaningfully improve decision-making.
Lifestyle Changes for High Cholesterol
Lifestyle is one of the foundations of cholesterol management and heart disease prevention.
But at CARDIO Houston, lifestyle counseling is not about shaming patients.
It is about building realistic, sustainable changes.
Lifestyle strategies may include:
- Eating more fiber-rich foods
- Reducing saturated fat
- Limiting trans fats
- Choosing lean proteins
- Increasing vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains
- Reducing refined carbohydrates and added sugars
- Limiting excessive alcohol
- Losing weight when appropriate
- Increasing physical activity
- Quitting smoking
- Improving sleep
- Managing stress
- Controlling diabetes
- Taking prescribed medications consistently
The American Heart Association notes that lifestyle choices can affect cholesterol levels and that unhealthy lifestyle behaviors can raise LDL cholesterol.
The key is personalization.
A patient who travels constantly, works long shifts, has family responsibilities, or struggles with diabetes needs a practical plan, not a lecture.
CARDIO Houston helps patients understand what changes matter most for their specific risk.
Can You Lower Cholesterol Without Medication?
Sometimes, yes.
Some patients can improve cholesterol levels through nutrition, exercise, weight loss, smoking cessation, diabetes control, and other lifestyle changes.
But not everyone can reach safe cholesterol levels with lifestyle changes alone.
This is especially true for patients with:
- Very high LDL cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Known coronary artery disease
- Prior heart attack
- Prior stent or bypass surgery
- Peripheral artery disease
- Strong family history
- Genetic cholesterol disorders
- High overall cardiovascular risk
For these patients, medication may be an important part of prevention.
The goal is not to choose lifestyle or medication as if they were enemies.
Often, the best plan includes both.
Statins and Cholesterol Medication: What Patients Should Know
Statins are among the most commonly prescribed medications for lowering LDL cholesterol and reducing cardiovascular risk in appropriate patients.
Many patients have questions or concerns about statins. That is understandable. Medication decisions should be discussed carefully and respectfully.
The USPSTF recommends that clinicians prescribe a statin for primary prevention in adults ages 40 to 75 who have one or more cardiovascular risk factors — such as dyslipidemia, diabetes, hypertension, or smoking — and an estimated 10-year cardiovascular disease risk of 10% or greater. It also recommends selectively offering statins to adults in the same age range with one or more risk factors and a 10-year risk of 7.5% to less than 10%.
This is why risk assessment matters.
Statin decisions should not be based only on fear or internet rumors.
They should be based on a patient’s risk, medical history, cholesterol profile, preferences, possible benefits, possible side effects, and clinical judgment.
At CARDIO Houston, medication conversations are handled with care. Patients can ask questions. Concerns are taken seriously. The goal is to make an informed decision together.
What If You Are Afraid of Taking Statins?
You are not alone.
Many patients worry about side effects, long-term medication use, muscle symptoms, liver concerns, or whether they will have to take medication forever.
The right response is not to ignore those fears.
The right response is to talk about them.
At CARDIO Houston, Dr. Bellera can help patients understand:
- Why a statin may or may not be recommended
- What benefit is expected
- What side effects are possible
- What symptoms should be reported
- Whether alternatives exist
- How follow-up testing works
- Whether the dose can be adjusted
- How medication fits into the overall prevention plan
The most important thing is this:
Patients should not stop or avoid prescribed cholesterol medication without discussing it with their physician.
Your heart deserves an informed decision, not panic.
Non-Statin Cholesterol Medications
Not every patient uses the same medication strategy.
Some patients may need non-statin cholesterol-lowering medications, either because they need additional LDL reduction, cannot tolerate certain medications, have specific risk factors, or require a more advanced lipid management plan.
Options may include medications that reduce LDL cholesterol, lower triglycerides, or address specific lipid abnormalities.
At CARDIO Houston, medication selection is individualized.
The goal is to choose the right therapy for the right patient at the right time.
Cholesterol, Smoking, and Cardiovascular Risk
Smoking is one of the most damaging habits for cardiovascular health.
When smoking combines with high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, or vascular disease, the risk becomes even more concerning.
Smoking damages blood vessels, contributes to plaque buildup, and increases the likelihood of heart attack and stroke.
For patients who smoke, cholesterol management should be part of a larger cardiovascular prevention plan that includes smoking cessation.
At CARDIO Houston, the message is direct but supportive:
Quitting smoking is one of the best decisions you can make for your heart and blood vessels.
You do not need to be perfect.
You need to begin.
Cholesterol and Peripheral Artery Disease
Cholesterol does not only affect the arteries of the heart.
It can also contribute to plaque buildup in the arteries that supply the legs, brain, kidneys, and other parts of the body.
Peripheral artery disease, or PAD, occurs when narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs, most often the legs.
Symptoms may include:
- Leg pain while walking
- Cramping
- Weakness
- Cold feet
- Numbness
- Slow-healing wounds
- Reduced pulses
- Pain that improves with rest
For patients with high cholesterol and leg symptoms, vascular evaluation may be important.
CARDIO Houston provides vascular services including peripheral arterial ultrasound, carotid ultrasound, venous insufficiency studies, abdominal aortic aneurysm screening, renal artery ultrasound, vein disease treatment, and varicose vein evaluation.
This is one more reason cholesterol care belongs within comprehensive cardiovascular care.
The arteries are connected.
The risk is connected.
The prevention plan should be connected too.
Why See a Cardiologist for High Cholesterol?
Many patients first hear about high cholesterol from a primary care physician or routine lab test.
Primary care plays an important role. But some patients benefit from seeing a cardiologist, especially when cholesterol is part of a more complex cardiovascular risk profile.
You may benefit from seeing a seeing a cardiologist for cholesterol management if you:
- Have very high LDL cholesterol
- Have diabetes
- Have high blood pressure
- Smoke or have a smoking history
- Have a family history of early heart disease
- Have chest pain or shortness of breath
- Have leg pain while walking
- Have known coronary artery disease
- Had a prior heart attack, stent, or bypass surgery
- Have abnormal cardiac testing
- Have high triglycerides
- Are unsure whether you need medication
- Have side effects or concerns about statins
- Want a deeper cardiovascular risk assessment
- Want to prevent heart disease before symptoms appear
At CARDIO Houston, cholesterol management is not treated as a one-size-fits-all issue.
It is integrated into preventive cardiology, diagnostic cardiology, vascular care, and long-term heart health planning.
CARDIO Houston’s Approach to Lipid Screening and Prevention
CARDIO Houston’s approach is built around three principles.
1. Understand the Numbers
Patients should know what LDL, HDL, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and other markers mean.
Confusion creates fear.
Understanding creates action.
2. Understand the Risk
A cholesterol number means more when it is interpreted with blood pressure, diabetes, family history, age, smoking history, symptoms, lifestyle, and prior cardiovascular history.
3. Build a Personalized Plan
The plan may include lifestyle changes, follow-up testing, medication, imaging, coronary calcium scoring, vascular evaluation, or ongoing monitoring.
The plan should make sense for the patient’s real life.
That is where CARDIO Houston stands apart.
Patients receive advanced cardiovascular care, but they also receive a human explanation. They are not rushed through a script. They are not treated like a lab value. They are cared for as individuals.
CARDIO Houston Is Not a Common Clinic
A common clinic may tell you your cholesterol is high and send you home with a generic instruction sheet.
CARDIO Houston takes a different approach.
Here, cholesterol management is connected to prevention, education, advanced diagnostics, and long-term cardiovascular health.
At CARDIO Houston, patients can expect:
- A personalized cardiovascular risk assessment
- Clear explanation of lipid results
- Practical lifestyle guidance
- Thoughtful medication discussion
- Advanced testing when appropriate
- Compassionate care
- A doctor who listens
- A prevention strategy designed around the patient
This matters because heart care is personal.
Behind every cholesterol result is a person who wants more time, more energy, more clarity, and more confidence about the future.
That is the heart of CARDIO Houston.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cholesterol Screening in Houston
What is cholesterol screening?
Cholesterol screening is a blood test that measures fats in the blood, including LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and total cholesterol. It helps evaluate cardiovascular risk and guide prevention.
What is a lipid panel?
A lipid panel is another name for a cholesterol test. It usually includes total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.
How often should I check my cholesterol?
The CDC recommends that most healthy adults check cholesterol every 4 to 6 years. People with heart disease, diabetes, family history of high cholesterol, or other risk factors may need testing more often. (CDC)
Is high cholesterol dangerous if I feel fine?
Yes, it can be. High cholesterol often causes no symptoms but can contribute to plaque buildup in the arteries over time, increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and vascular disease.
What is LDL cholesterol?
LDL cholesterol is often called “bad cholesterol” because high levels can contribute to plaque buildup in the arteries.
What is HDL cholesterol?
HDL cholesterol is often called “good cholesterol” because it helps carry some cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver. However, high HDL does not erase all cardiovascular risk.
What are triglycerides?
Triglycerides are a type of fat in the blood. High triglycerides can be associated with diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, diet, alcohol intake, and increased cardiovascular risk.
Can I lower cholesterol naturally?
Some patients can improve cholesterol with lifestyle changes such as healthier eating, exercise, weight loss, smoking cessation, and better diabetes control. However, some patients also need medication depending on their risk.
Are statins safe?
Statins are widely used cholesterol-lowering medications and are recommended for appropriate patients based on cardiovascular risk. Patients should discuss benefits, risks, side effects, and alternatives with their physician.
When should I see a cardiologist for high cholesterol?
You should consider seeing a cardiologist if you have very high LDL cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, family history of early heart disease, smoking history, symptoms, prior heart disease, abnormal testing, or uncertainty about medication.
What is coronary calcium scoring?
Coronary calcium scoring is a CT-based test that detects calcified plaque in the coronary arteries. It can help refine cardiovascular risk in selected patients.
Does CARDIO Houston provide cholesterol management?
Yes. CARDIO Houston provides lipid screening, cholesterol management, cardiovascular risk assessment, preventive cardiology, and advanced cardiovascular care for patients across Houston, Katy, The Woodlands, Spring, and surrounding communities.
Do Not Wait Until Cholesterol Becomes Heart Disease
High cholesterol is not something to ignore because you feel fine.
It is also not something to fear without understanding.
It is something to evaluate, explain, and manage with the right medical guidance.
At CARDIO Houston, Dr. Ricardo V. Bellera helps patients understand their cholesterol numbers, assess their real cardiovascular risk, and create personalized prevention plans designed to protect long-term heart and vascular health.
Your cholesterol report is not the end of the conversation.
It is the beginning of a smarter prevention strategy.
If you have high cholesterol, a family history of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking history, or concerns about your heart health, schedule a preventive cardiology visit at CARDIO Houston.
Do not wait until cholesterol becomes heart disease.
Take the next step today.
