High Cholesterol & Triglycerides

Personalized Cholesterol Care at MediDental Care in Astoria

High cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and other serious health conditions—but with the right care, it’s manageable. At MediDental Care, we offer comprehensive evaluation and treatment plans to help you take control of your cholesterol levels. As a trusted provider of primary care in Astoria, our goal is to prevent complications before they arise and support your long-term cardiovascular health.

We follow evidence-based guidelines from the American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to ensure the most effective cholesterol management and dietary recommendations.

If you’ve been diagnosed with high cholesterol or are concerned about your heart health, we’re here to help. Managing cholesterol is essential to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, and we rely on recommendations from leading organizations like the American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to guide your care.

What Is High Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy substance produced by your liver and also found in certain foods. While your body needs cholesterol for essential functions like hormone production and cell repair, too much of it can build up in your arteries as fatty deposits, leading to blockages.

These blockages are caused by the accumulation of plaque and fatty deposits, which can result in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD)—a condition where narrowed or blocked arteries increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

It is important to regularly monitor your cholesterol level to help prevent these complications.

Types of Cholesterol

• LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein): Known as “bad” cholesterol. High LDL cholesterol levels can cause plaque buildup in the arteries, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and other complications associated with high LDL cholesterol.
• HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein): Known as “good” cholesterol. HDL cholesterol helps remove LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream. Maintaining healthy HDL cholesterol levels is important for reducing the risk of plaque buildup and cardiovascular disease.
• Triglycerides: Another form of fat in the blood. High levels combined with high LDL cholesterol or low HDL cholesterol levels can raise heart disease risk.

Regular physical activity can help improve both cholesterol types by increasing HDL cholesterol levels and lowering LDL cholesterol.

Cholesterol Numbers to Know (in mg/dL)

• Total Cholesterol: Less than 200 is desirable
• LDL: Less than 100 is optimal
• HDL: 60 or higher is protective; under 40 is a risk factor
• Triglycerides: Less than 150 is normal

Why High Cholesterol Requires Medical Attention

High cholesterol often causes no symptoms, but it silently increases your risk of:

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Peripheral artery disease
• Kidney disease
• Coronary heart disease

Certain medical conditions can also contribute to high cholesterol and should be managed as part of your overall treatment plan.

Early detection and treatment from your Astoria primary care provider can help remove cholesterol from the bloodstream and significantly reduce these risks.

Benefits of Managing Cholesterol with Primary Care

• Regular monitoring and early diagnosis
• Personalized treatment options
• Lifestyle coaching and long-term support
• Prevention of serious cardiovascular events

Our Approach to Cholesterol Care at MediDental Care

We treat high cholesterol with a whole-body, evidence-based approach. Adopting a healthy lifestyle is a key part of our strategy to manage cholesterol and improve heart health. Our primary care team in Astoria focuses on prevention, education, and consistent follow-up.

Step-by-Step Cholesterol Management Plan

1. Initial Evaluation

• Full medical and family history review
• Blood pressure check and BMI measurement
• Fasting lipid panel (cholesterol blood test)

2. Risk Assessment

We assess your cardiovascular risk using factors such as:

• Age and gender
• Smoking status
• Blood pressure and diabetes status
• Family history of heart disease

3. Personalized Treatment Plan

Based on your risk profile and lab results, we may recommend:

• Lifestyle modifications (diet, exercise, losing weight, increasing physical activity, smoking cessation)
• Cholesterol-lowering medications (statins, ezetimibe, PCSK9 inhibitors)
• Supplement recommendations (omega-3s, fiber)

4. Ongoing Monitoring

• Repeat cholesterol testing every 3–6 months
• Adjustment of treatment as needed
• Monitoring for medication side effects

Lifestyle Tips to Lower Cholesterol Naturally

Our providers will support you in adopting practical, sustainable changes to help prevent health problems through a heart healthy diet and lifestyle.

Diet Changes That Help:

• Eat more fiber (fruits, vegetables, whole grains)
• Avoid trans fats and limit saturated fats by reducing intake of red meat, processed meats, and full-fat dairy products.
• Choose low-fat or fat-free dairy products as part of a balanced, heart-healthy diet.
• Use healthy oils, such as vegetable oil and olive oil, instead of saturated or trans fats for cooking and food preparation.
• Increase healthy fats (avocados, nuts, olive oil)
• Include heart-healthy foods like salmon and flaxseeds
• Read food labels to select products low in saturated fat, trans fat, sodium, and added sugars, making healthier dietary choices.

Other Helpful Habits:

• Exercise at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Stop smoking
• Limit alcohol intake, as drinking too much alcohol can increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart failure, and strokes
• Reduce stress through mindfulness or yoga

When to Get Your Cholesterol Checked

You should consider cholesterol screening if you:

• Are 20 years or older (screen every 4–6 years)
• Have a family history of heart disease
• Are overweight or obese
• Have high blood pressure or diabetes
• Smoke or live a sedentary lifestyle

If you haven’t had your cholesterol checked recently, we encourage you to schedule a screening.

Why Choose MediDental Care for Cholesterol Treatment in Astoria?

• Experienced primary care providers with a preventive focus
• Fast, accurate blood testing and same-day results for many labs
• Personalized care plans that fit your lifestyle
• Multilingual, culturally sensitive team
• Convenient online booking and extended hours

We’re proud to be a trusted destination for primary care in Astoria, delivering quality care with compassion.

Book Your Cholesterol Screening in Astoria Today

Knowing your numbers is the first step to protecting your heart. Whether you're newly diagnosed or seeking better control, MediDental Care is here to help.

📍 Visit us at our Astoria, Queens location
📞 Call or book your appointment online

Stay heart-healthy for life—start with expert cholesterol care at MediDental Care.