{"id":630052,"date":"2024-10-24T09:30:26","date_gmt":"2024-10-24T13:30:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=630052"},"modified":"2025-11-18T18:48:00","modified_gmt":"2025-11-18T23:48:00","slug":"how-to-reduce-cholesterol","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/how-to-reduce-cholesterol\/","title":{"rendered":"5 ways to help patients manage cholesterol"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cholesterol is a <\/span>waxy, fat-like substance<\/span> found in the body. It\u2019s involved with important bodily functions, such as making hormones and helping digest foods. However, when there\u2019s too much cholesterol in the body, it can build up in the bloodstream and form plaque. This is known as atherosclerosis, and it can increase the risk of cardiovascular problems, such as heart disease and stroke.<\/span><\/p>\n

From 2017 to 2020, <\/span>10%<\/span> of people aged 20 years and older had cholesterol levels greater than 240 mg\/dL. As frontline healthcare providers, pharmacists have an invaluable opportunity to help patients manage their condition. Let\u2019s explore the various ways pharmacists can help patients navigate high cholesterol.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is considered high cholesterol?<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are two types of cholesterol: low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which is known as the \u201cbad\u201d cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), which is known as the \u201cgood\u201d kind of cholesterol. According to the <\/span>American Heart Association<\/span>, there is no ideal target level for LDL-C, but lower is better. Most <\/span>experts<\/span> agree the optimal total cholesterol level is 150 mg\/dL, while the optimal LDL-C level is less than 100 mg\/dL. HDL levels are considered low when they are less than 40 mg\/dL.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to support patients with high cholesterol<\/span><\/h2>\n

High cholesterol\u2014or dyslipidemia\u2014is often managed with a team-based approach. There\u2019s <\/span>evidence<\/span><\/a> that pharmacist interventions can significantly help patients improve their LDL-C, total cholesterol, and HDL-C levels. As a pharmacist, here\u2019s how you can help patients with high cholesterol.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Promote medication adherence<\/span><\/h3>\n

A key issue in managing high cholesterol is adherence to medications. Non-adherence can <\/span>lead to<\/span><\/a> failure or difficulty reaching treatment goals, increased morbidity, mortality, and hospitalizations, waste of medications, changes to medication dosages, and an increase in healthcare costs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pharmacists have a vital opportunity to promote medication adherence to optimize health outcomes. One way to do so is through patient counseling. When patients come to the pharmacy to pick up their cholesterol medications, pharmacists can take a moment to encourage adherence and explain its importance in the patient\u2019s overall treatment plan. You can explain how high cholesterol typically doesn\u2019t cause symptoms. However, if it\u2019s unmanaged, it can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and heart attack.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Recommend lifestyle changes<\/span><\/h3>\n

A number of <\/span>lifestyle changes<\/span><\/a> can help patients improve their cholesterol and lower their risk of cardiovascular problems. These <\/span>include<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n