Your doctor knows best when it comes to your cholesterol goals, and he or she will be your partner in reaching them. National guidelines say a person’s total cholesterol number should be under 200, while 220–239 is considered borderline high, and above 240 is considered high.

National guidelines also provide direction on LDL cholesterol, part of total cholesterol and the main focus of cholesterol-lowering therapy. Having high levels of LDL cholesterol may put you at risk for heart disease. Generally, your LDL cholesterol should be below 160, if you have no other risk factors for heart disease. Managing and lowering your LDL cholesterol then helps to further reduce your risk.

If you have heart disease or diabetes, or risk factors for heart disease, your nationally recommended LDL cholesterol number may differ:

Be sure to work with your doctor to determine the LDL cholesterol goal that is right for you and your risk factors. Risk factors include age, smoking, high blood pressure, low HDL (“good”) cholesterol, or family history of early heart disease.

Lowering your cholesterol is a lifelong job, and it takes hard work. Getting daily exercise and eating healthy foods are two very important ways to fight high cholesterol. Still, for 2 out of 3 people with high cholesterol, diet and exercise may not be enough. If your doctor has determined that you need cholesterol-lowering medication to help manage your cholesterol, LIPITOR is one of many treatment options to consider. Along with diet and exercise, LIPITOR may lower your LDL (“bad”) cholesterol 39% to 60% (average effect depending on dose).