6 min read Exercise is important for heart health, but unlike statins or dietary changes, it can lower LDL while raising HDL levels. Doctors are recommending strength training two to three times a week. A mix of strength training and cardio can yield better lipid numbers. If you’re working out consistently, you may see improvements in four to eight weeks. WHEN YOU SEE your doctor, they may advise movement to improve your cholesterol numbers. But what kind of exercise, exactly, should you be doing? For years, experts have pointed to cardio as the best exercise for controlling cholesterol. The science has since changed. Ultimately, “you need both aerobic and resistance types as they complement each other," says Neil Smart, PhD , professor in exercise and sports science at Australia's University of New England. He knows: he’s the author of a review of studies published in Sports Medicine that clarified that each type of exercise acted on cholesterol in slightly different ways.…