High Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a fat—or lipid—your body needs for several reasons, including making hormones and cell membranes. However, it can be unhealthy when cholesterol levels in the blood go too high. In the United States, about 1 in 3 adults has high cholesterol. 

There are two main types of cholesterol—LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and HDL (high-density lipoprotein). LDL is commonly called ‘bad cholesterol’ because high levels can clog your arteries, causing atherosclerosis. This can lead to heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.

On the other hand, HDL is considered ‘good cholesterol’ because it helps prevent LDL cholesterol from clogging your arteries. So, higher HDL levels actually reduce your risk of cardiovascular problems. 

Triglycerides are another type of fat that plays a role in your heart health. They are the most common type of fat. They take the energy from excess calories you consume and store it. High triglyceride levels can contribute to atherosclerosis.

Symptoms of High Cholesterol

Like high blood pressure, high cholesterol is a silent disease. This means it typically has no signs and symptoms. The only way to know you have it before something like a heart attack happens is to screen for it. Your doctor can use a simple blood test—a cholesterol panel—to check your cholesterol levels. It’s a standard part of a routine adult physical.

Causes of High Cholesterol

Your body makes most of the cholesterol it needs. About 75% of the cholesterol in your blood comes from your own body’s production of it. The rest—about 25%—comes from animal fats in your diet. You can have high cholesterol if you eat too much of it in your diet or your body makes too much. 

Treatment and Prevention of High Cholesterol

Treatment and prevention of high cholesterol starts with lifestyle changes. Reducing the amount of cholesterol you eat is a key part of a heart-healthy diet. Other changes include exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, and quitting smoking.

If diet and lifestyle changes are not enough, your doctor may recommend medicines to reduce your cholesterol levels. Statins are the mainstay of cholesterol treatment, but there are other options. Your doctor will look at your cholesterol panel results to choose the best one.