The two types of treatment for high cholesterol are lifestyle changes and medicines called statins. The goal of treatment is to reduce your chances of having a heart attack or stroke. It's not to lower your cholesterol numbers alone.

The way you choose to lower your risk will depend on how high your risk for heart attack and stroke is. It will also depend on how you feel about taking medicines. Your doctor can help you know your risk. He or she can also help you balance the benefits and risks of your treatment options.

Lifestyle changes

Lifestyle changes are always important, even if you take medicines to lower your risk.

Your doctor may suggest that you make one or more of the following changes:

• Eat heart-healthy foods.
• Lose weight if you need to, and stay at a healthy weight.
• Be active on most, if not all, days of the week.
• Don't smoke.

Medicines

If your chance of having a heart attack or stroke is high, you may decide to start taking medicines called statins along with making lifestyle changes. Statins can reduce the risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

You may not be sure whether or not you need to take a statin. You and your doctor will need to look at your overall health and at any other risks you have for heart attack and stroke.

Sometimes other medicines are also used.

Plant products and supplements

Some people use plant products or supplements like psyllium or red yeast rice to lower their cholesterol. These should not replace treatment recommended by your doctor. That's because research has not proved that they lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes.