Total cholesterol 240. I need to do?

Just drink ample water and start mild exercise. Increase fiber intake in food.

How to interpret your cholesterol/ Lipid profile report. We often see when we get our lipid profile report, there are many variables in it like Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, Triglyceride. Even if any one of the variables is out of range and is mentioned in black bold letters, we get panicked. We consult a doctor and more often than not we want to start medicines as soon as possible and bring it in normal range. Infact we push the doctor to prescribe medicine. NOTHING CAN BE A MORE WRONG APPROACH THAN THIS.!! Q1. Suppose my total cholesterol level is 260, normal range is (150-250), what should i do next.? Ans. First based on your report, age, sex and other factors calculate your overall risk for cardiac disease. Always TREAT THE OVERALL RISK for cardiac disease and not just the report. Q2. How do i calculate the overall risk. ? Ans. It is calculated by doctor usually. It is a rough estimate. It mainly includes variables. Age, sex( males are at higher risk), smoking status, Blood pressure, diabetes, obesity. Suppose you are a 35 year old average built male , non smoker, non diabetic, normal blood pressure. But you have abnormal lipid profile.. say Total cholesterol - 270 LDL - 150 ( range 100-130) HDL( good cholesterol)- 30 ( normal > 50) Here though your cholesterol levels are higher than normal, your overall risk for cardiac disease is LOW. And you DONT REQUIRE ANY MEDICINES. Just focus on diet and lifestyle changes. In another example if you are 50 year male, smoker, high BP, overweight and your lipid profile report says Total cholesterol - 230 LDL - 140 HDL -35 Here you REQUIRE MEDICINES, ( along with diet and lifestyle changes)because your overall risk is high. Even though the numbers are far worse in First example compared to second , still the second person requires medicine, but the first one does not. I hope you understand the difference. Another thing i wud like to add, one if only your triglyceride is high, then most commonly its due to alcohol and obesity. Mind your alcohol and weight. Secondly if only your HDL is low, please note that all indians have low HDL. Nothing surprising about it. The reference value quoted is for Americans , not Indians who have different genes. If you are still anxious, The only way to increase HDL is by exercising. So next time when you get your lipid profile test , have an idea of your overall risk, keep your risk factors under control, lead a healthy life. And you will not require medicines. PLEASE JUST DONT TREAT THE NUMBERS. Dr. Himanshu yadav( Dm cardio).