On this episode of Straight Talk MD, Brandy Patterson discusses ways to manage your cholesterol levels and keep your heart healthy.

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If you have high cholesterol, you're not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 35 million Americans have high LDL, or bad cholesterol, which greatly increases the risk for heart disease and stroke. Many who have high cholesterol are prescribed medications called statins, but there are alternative ways to lower your cholesterol that, when combined successfully, may eliminate the need for statins altogether.

Number one is exercise. Exercise is key to helping your heart be healthy. But more specifically, research has shown that exercise can definitely impact cholesterol levels by helping to lower the bad cholesterol in the body.

Number two is weight control. Being overweight increases the LDL, or bad cholesterol, in your blood. It is possible to be a normal weight and still have high cholesterol, though. But this is generally due to a genetic predisposition that occurs in some people.

Number three is diet. Of course, just as important as what you're eating is what you're not. So steer clear of saturated fats found in fried and processed foods.

To get those cholesterol numbers down and to keep your heart healthy, your best bet is to try combination of the tactics that I just discussed. Remember that statins may be prescribed for reasons other than to just lower cholesterol. So if you are currently taking these medications, please be sure to talk to your doctor before you stop taking any of your cholesterol medication. Also talk to your doctor about any supplements you may be considering to lower your cholesterol, in order to avoid potentially harmful interactions.

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