Chronic Care

High Cholesterol Treatment in Portland, TX

Lowering cholesterol is one of the most effective things you can do to prevent heart attack and stroke. We'll figure out your real risk and build a plan that works.

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Medicare and major insurers

We're enrolled with Medicare and major commercial plans, with continued enrollment in progress.

Locally owned

A locally owned clinic in Portland, with one care standard at every visit.

Simple registration

Send a short request form and our intake team will reach out to schedule your visit.

High cholesterol is a top driver of heart attacks and strokes, yet it produces zero symptoms until something catastrophic happens. It's also one of the most treatable risk factors in medicine. A simple blood test, a real risk calculation, and the right plan can change your long-term outlook.

Understanding your numbers

A standard lipid panel measures four things. Knowing them changes how seriously you take treatment.

LDL ('bad' cholesterol), the main driver of heart disease; lower is better
HDL ('good' cholesterol), protective; higher is better
Triglycerides, driven by sugar, alcohol, and weight
Total cholesterol, less useful than the breakdown
Lp(a), a genetic risk factor we test once in a lifetime
ApoB, a more accurate measure of risk in some patients

How we approach treatment

Treatment isn't just 'high cholesterol = statin.' We calculate your 10-year cardiovascular risk based on your full picture, age, blood pressure, diabetes, family history, smoking, and tailor the plan from there.

Lifestyle: diet pattern (Mediterranean), exercise, weight, alcohol, sleep
Statins (atorvastatin, rosuvastatin), first-line and well-tolerated for most
Ezetimibe for additional LDL lowering
PCSK9 inhibitors and bempedoic acid for high-risk or statin-intolerant patients
Coronary artery calcium scoring when risk is unclear
Aggressive treatment of co-conditions: diabetes, hypertension, weight

Who really needs a statin?

The clearest indications: anyone with prior heart attack, stroke, or stent; people with diabetes over age 40; LDL over 190; or 10-year cardiovascular risk above 7.5–10%. Borderline cases get a real conversation about benefits, risks, and your goals, not a one-size answer.

Questions, Answered

Frequently asked questions.

Don’t see your question? Reach out and we’ll answer it directly.

Are statins safe?

Yes. Statins have decades of large-scale safety and outcomes data. The most common side effect, muscle aches, happens in a small minority of patients and is usually solvable by switching statins or adjusting the dose.

Can I lower cholesterol without medication?

Sometimes, particularly if your numbers are mildly elevated and your overall cardiovascular risk is low. Diet pattern, weight loss, and exercise all help. For high LDL or high overall risk, lifestyle alone usually isn't enough.

How often should I get my cholesterol checked?

Every 4–6 years if you're low risk, annually if you're on treatment or have other risk factors. We typically recheck 6–12 weeks after starting or changing medication.

Does diet really matter?

Yes, but not in the way most people think. Dietary cholesterol matters less than total dietary pattern. Replacing refined carbs and processed foods with whole foods, fiber, and healthy fats moves the needle more than avoiding eggs.

Care that often goes together.

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