‘I'm a Cardiologist-This Is the First Thing I Always Look at in a Patient's Lab Results'

It seems like there's scary news about heart health everywhere. On highway billboards, in news alerts about celebrities and politicians and in warnings from your doctor. You may have another underlying condition that puts you at a higher risk of heart disease, or have a family member or friend who is recovering from a heart attack or stroke. Plus, each year, the American Heart Association puts out statistics showing that, once again, cardiovascular disease is the top killer of adults in the United States.

When it comes to preventing cardiovascular disease-or at least lowering your risk - it's crucial to focus on numbers. Some are lifestyle-related, like tracking how many grams of saturated fat you consume and increasing your weekly exercise to 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity or 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity.

Others require a trip to the doctor or lab for bloodwork, both of which may make you nervous (and queasy). Still, one cardiologist emphasizes how important they are.

"Regular bloodwork is important if you have a known cardiovascular problem or if you are taking cholesterol medication," states Dr. Bradley Serwer, MD, an interventional cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution, an Ingenovis Health company. "It's important to know about your risk or to determine if the medications are effective."

It can also help you make lifestyle tweaks to support your heart health. When looking at a patient's bloodwork, Dr. Serwer checks one (OK, two) numbers first. Below, he gives us the what, the why and how to improve your numbers (and heart health).

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‘I'm a Cardiologist-This Is the First Thing I Look at in a Patient's Lab Results'

When Dr. Serwer scans his patients' bloodwork, he first focuses on LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. It helps him inform and empower his clients to take steps toward better heart health.

"Cholesterol is a significant modifiable risk factor for the development of coronary artery disease," he says. "Understanding your cholesterol levels enables you to assess your individual risk and facilitates early intervention, potentially preventing or mitigating future complications."

Coronary artery disease (CAD) develops when there's plaque buildup in the coronary arteries that supply blood to your heart. This plaque can narrow or block the arteries, obstructing this vital blood flow.

It sounds scary, but you won't know your risk until you roll up your sleeves, get lab work done and speak with your doctor about your LDL and triglyceride numbers.

"The best way to lower your cholesterol is first to know your level and your goal," Dr. Serwer says. "This is determined by seeing your primary care providers and discussing your individual risks."

From there, you can discuss how often to get blood drawn to check your LDL and triglyceride levels.

"The timing and frequency for testing your cholesterol levels depend on your risk of having complications," Dr. Serwer explains. "If you have diabetes, known coronary artery disease or if you have family members with severely elevated levels, knowing your levels is imperative to avoid downstream complications."

Related: This Is the Most Common Time of Day To Have a Heart Attack, According to Cardiologists

What To Know About LDL Cholesterol: Definition, Risks & Targets

LDL cholesterol gets thrown around a lot when discussing heart health, but what does it even mean? "LDL or low-density lipoprotein is commonly referred to as bad cholesterol," Dr. Serwer explains.

He adds that LDL cholesterol can be deposited in the inner lining of your arteries. "Over time, these cholesterol deposits thicken and are walled off with calcium," he notes. "This process is called atherosclerosis. If this occurs in your coronary arteries, it can lead to chest pain or increase the risk of a heart attack."

He explains that this buildup can also occur in your neck or brain, putting you at a high risk of a stroke-and, unfortunately, the risks of elevated LDL cholesterol don't stop there.

"Sometimes, these pockets of cholesterol can rupture within the arterial wall," he says. "The body immediately attacks this rupture by forming a blood clot. This blood clot can very rapidly stop blood flow and thus cause a heart attack or stroke."

Your target number is going to depend on your risk for heart issues, including coronary artery disease. Dr. Serwer looks for an LDL of below:

• 130 mg/dl for the general, low-risk population
• 100 mg/dl for intermediate-risk patients
• 70mg/dl for high-risk patients
• 55mg/dl for very high-risk patients

"Very high risk is defined by having known coronary artery disease and diabetes, kidney disease or active smoking history," Dr. Serwer shares, adding that you'll want to speak with your doctor about your personal risk level.

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What To Know About Triglycerides: Definition, Risks & Targets

"Triglycerides are fats in your blood that tell us more about your diet within the past 24 hours," Dr. Serwer says.

He explains that triglycerides are variable and will shift rapidly based on what you've eaten.

"Some people have very high levels if they are unable to clear them effectively," he reports. "High triglyceride levels can lead to acute issues such as pancreatitis." So, you'll ideally want to keep your triglyceride levels below 150mg/dL, according to Dr. Serwer and the American Heart Association.

Related: The Morning Habit People Over 50 Should Break Immediately, According to Cardiologists

How To Manage Your Cholesterol

First things first, you'll need to know your cholesterol numbers to manage them. Besides understanding your LDL and triglyceride numbers, Dr. Serwer urges people to know their HDL ("good cholesterol") levels.

"HDL levels for men are greater than 40mg/dl, and for women are greater than 50mg/dl," he states. "Any level above 60mg/dl is considered protective and helps lower your risk for coronary arterial disease."

With your numbers in hand, you can start taking steps toward managing your cholesterol-and lowering your LDL and triglyceride numbers if needed. Below, Dr. Serwer shares some of the tips he gives patients after seeing that their LDL and triglyceride numbers are too high.

• Prioritize physical activity. Your exercise minutes aren't the only number to focus on for your heart health, but it's still important to keep an eye on them. "Exercise is a great way to raise your HDL and thus lower your LDL," he explains. "When weight loss is achieved by 5-10% of your body weight, we can see a significant drop in LDL."
• Limit saturated fats. Dr. Serwer says diet is another important piece to managing cholesterol, especially if you're consuming a lot of saturated fats (found in foods like some baked goods and red and processed meats). The American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fat intake to no more than 13 grams daily if you're following a 2,000-calorie diet.
• Boost fiber intake. Only about 5% of Americans get enough fiber. But getting enough fiber in your diet can help keep your cholesterol numbers in check. "Increasing daily fiber has shown a significant benefit," he reports. "This can be obtained from soluble fiber sources such as oats, barley and beans."
• Consider medication. Sometimes, diet and exercise aren't enough. In these cases, Dr. Serwer says it may be best to start a medication, such as a statin, ezetimibe or a PCSK9 inhibitor, to lower your cholesterol.

Your doctor is your best resource for determining which cholesterol-lowering strategies can help you.

Up Next:

Related: The One Carb (Yes, Carb) Cardiologists Swear by for Better Cholesterol

Sources:

• Dr. Bradley Serwer, MD, an interventional cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution, an Ingenovis Health
• American Heart Association Recommendations for Physical Activity in Adults and Kids. American Heart Association.
• Coronary Artery Disease. Cleveland Clinic.
• Lower Your LDL. American Heart Association.
• What Your Cholesterol Levels Mean. American Heart Association.
• Saturated fats. American Heart Association.
• Closing America's Fiber Intake Gap. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine.

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This story was originally published May 5, 2026 at 11:25 AM.