5 things your doctor wishes you'd tell her about your cholesterol

(LifeWire) - If you or a loved one has just been diagnosed with high cholesterol, you may be wondering what health information your doctor needs to know. And although providing more information than necessary is definitely better than holding back, here are some health items that you should certainly share with your physician:

1. Family history Patients should tell their doctors about any family history of heart disease. In particular, physicians are interested in hearing about any immediate family members who were diagnosed with heart disease before age 55 for men or age 65 for women. Because heart disease can be hereditary, this information will allow your doctor to fully assess your risk of heart attack or stroke.
2. History of smoking It can be difficult to tell your doctor about your smoking history, but it's important. Even if you stopped smoking years ago, smoking may have increased your risk of heart attack or stroke. So, be honest, and take heart; research shows that your risk of heart disease is cut in half just one year after you quit smoking and continues to decline thereafter.
3. Physical activity level It's also important to be honest about your exercise habits. In addition to offering your physician enough information to accurately determine your risk for heart attack or stroke, it may affect your treatment plan. In some cases, doctors wait to see if lifestyle changes, such as increasing physical activity, will improve your cholesterol levels before beginning medication. If you are already physically active, your doctor won't anticipate drastic changes.
4. Other health issues and allergies Your doctor will also need to know if you have high blood pressure, diabetes or other cardiovascular health issues. These conditions, along with high cholesterol, increase your risk of heart attack and stroke. Also, don't shy away from disclosing any allergies to medications. Your allergies may affect your treatment plan.
5. Medications Be sure to tell your doctor about all of the medications you are taking, including herbal supplements and over-the-counter drugs. Drug interactions are possible, even when combining prescription medications and herbal supplements.

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