High Cholesterol (Hyperlipidemia)

High cholesterol occurs when levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, triglycerides, or overall lipid levels are elevated. Over time, this can contribute to plaque buildup in the arteries, raising the risk of heart attack and stroke. Because high cholesterol often causes no symptoms, routine screening is essential.

At The Medical Group of New Jersey, we focus on early detection, lifestyle counseling, and personalized medication management to reduce cardiovascular risk.

Symptom Onset & Initial Evaluation

High cholesterol typically has no noticeable symptoms. Many patients learn they have elevated levels during routine screening.

During your evaluation, your provider will review:

Family history of heart disease
Diet, exercise habits, and weight changes
Blood pressure and blood sugar levels
Smoking status
Any prior cardiovascular events

A physical exam helps identify risk factors such as obesity, high blood pressure, or signs of vascular disease.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on a blood test called a fasting lipid panel, which measures:

Total cholesterol
LDL cholesterol
HDL cholesterol
Triglycerides

Additional testing may include:

Blood sugar or hemoglobin A1c to check for diabetes
Kidney and liver function tests before starting certain medications
Cardiac risk scoring to estimate long-term risk

All labs can be completed on-site for convenience and timely interpretation.

Treatment

Treatment aims to lower cholesterol levels and protect heart health.

Lifestyle & Home Strategies

Adopting a heart-healthy diet rich in whole foods
Reducing saturated fats and eliminating trans fats
Increasing physical activity
Weight management
Limiting alcohol and avoiding tobacco

Medications

If lifestyle changes aren’t enough, your provider may prescribe:

Statins (typically the first-line therapy for most patients)
Ezetimibe for additional LDL reduction¹
Fibrates or omega-3 fatty acids for high triglycerides
PCSK9 inhibitors for patients with very high LDL or statin intolerance

Medication choices are personalized based on a person’s cholesterol levels, age, and cardiovascular risk factors.

1. Cannon, Christopher P., et al. “Ezetimibe Added to Statin Therapy after Acute Coronary Syndromes.” New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 372, no. 25, 18 June 2015, pp. 2387–2397.

Ongoing Management & Long-Term Care

Long-term cholesterol care includes:

Repeat lipid testing every 3–12 months, depending on goals
Blood pressure and glucose monitoring
Adjusting medications as needed
Coordination with cardiology for patients with known cardiovascular disease
Encouragement of sustainable lifestyle modifications

Our family medicine team tracks your progress closely and works with you to maintain healthy cholesterol levels over time.