High Cholesterol & Lipids

What your lipid panel means

Cholesterol travels in your blood as LDL (the “bad” kind), HDL (the “good” kind), and triglycerides. Too much LDL builds plaque inside your arteries. Dr. Katari reviews your full panel — not just the total — to understand your true cardiovascular risk and set clear targets.

What raises cholesterol

• A diet high in saturated and trans fats
• Physical inactivity and excess weight
• Smoking
• A family history of high cholesterol
• Diabetes and certain other conditions

How we treat it

Treatment ranges from diet and exercise to statins or advanced lipid therapies when appropriate. You'll always understand the reasoning behind each step and your targets, with regular follow-up to track progress.

Know your targets

For most adults, an LDL under 100 mg/dL is a healthy goal — and if you've had a heart attack, stroke, or diabetes, your target is lower still. HDL above 40–50 mg/dL and triglycerides under 150 mg/dL round out the picture. Your personal targets depend on your overall cardiovascular risk, which is exactly what we calculate and explain at your visit.

Heart-healthy eating made simple

• Swap butter and fatty red meat for olive oil, fish, and poultry
• Add soluble fiber — oats, beans, apples — which lowers LDL
• Choose nuts over chips for snacking
• Cut back on fried food and sugary drinks
• You don't have to be perfect — consistency beats perfection

What we offer

• Complete lipid panel testing
• Statin & advanced lipid therapy
• Diet & exercise planning
• Cardiovascular risk assessment

Common questions