Your target cholesterol numbers depend on your risk of complications, as well as other health conditions you have. Work with your doctor to decide your goals.

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends checking your cholesterol once between ages 9 and 11, again between ages 17 and 21 and then every 4 to 6 years. But if you have high cholesterol, your doctor may check it every year or more.

To decide if and what kind of treatment is right for you, your doctor will look at your cholesterol numbers, along with your overall risk of having a heart attack, stroke or heart disease. Your risk depends on the following:

• your age, sex and ethnicity
• if you smoke
• your family history
• other health conditions you have like high blood pressure or diabetes



Thinking about all of these things together can help your doctor make sure you’re getting the best treatment.