High Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a fatty substance in your blood that's produced naturally in your liver. Having some cholesterol is important because the cells in your body use cholesterol to keep them healthy. But if you have too much cholesterol in your blood, it's called high cholesterol. This common condition affects millions of people and is most commonly diagnosed in people between ages 40 and 59.

High cholesterol may occur due to various factors including genetics, lifestyle choices, and underlying health conditions. Most people with high cholesterol have no symptoms. It's a hidden risk factor, meaning you can have it without knowing. When left unmanaged, elevated cholesterol levels can contribute to the buildup of fatty deposits in arteries, potentially leading to cardiovascular complications. Understanding cholesterol levels and taking appropriate action can help maintain heart health and reduce long-term risks.

Eating a lot of foods high in saturated fats raises "bad" LDL cholesterol levels. Saturated fats are found in fatty cuts of red meat and dairy products. Lack of physical activity is linked to a higher risk of having unhealthy blood cholesterol levels. Smoking lowers HDL cholesterol, particularly in women, and raises LDL cholesterol. Other lifestyle factors that may contribute include excessive alcohol consumption and chronic stress.

Family members usually have similar cholesterol levels. This suggests that your genes can raise your risk of having unhealthy cholesterol levels. Mutations, or changes, in your genes can be passed from parent to child. These changes in genes that control cholesterol levels can cause familial hypercholesterolemia. Additionally, certain diseases can raise your risk of high cholesterol, including hypothyroidism, chronic kidney disease, and some types of liver disease. Type 2 diabetes can cause high blood sugar. When there's too much sugar, it may attach to proteins, such as cholesterol molecules.

Per CDC recommendations, you should test your cholesterol levels every 4 to 6 years. However, if you have heart disease, diabetes or a family history of high cholesterol, your provider may recommend you check your cholesterol more frequently. Men ages 45 to 65 and women ages 55 to 65 should be screened every 1 to 2 years. Older than 65: Older adults should be screened every year.

Consider testing if you have risk factors such as being a man between ages 20 and 39 or a woman after menopause, a family history of heart disease or high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, or if you smoke. That's why it's important to get your cholesterol levels checked by having a blood test. Even without symptoms, regular screening can help identify elevated levels before they contribute to cardiovascular complications.

The ideal level (measured in milligrams per deciliter of blood — mg/dL) for each of the four standard tests in a lipid panel are as follows: Total cholesterol: Below 200 mg/dL. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol: Above 60 mg/dL. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol: Below 100 mg/dL (or below 70 mg/dL for people who have diabetes). Triglycerides: Below 150 mg/dL. If your results are higher or lower than the target range, they may be classified as borderline-, intermediate-, or high-risk for cardiovascular issues. In general, higher-than-normal levels of total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides and lower-than-normal levels of HDL can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease.

The above numbers are general guidelines, because actual goals depend on the number of risk factors you have for heart disease. This type of fat is actually good for you because it lowers your risk of heart disease. Results may suggest the need for lifestyle modifications such as dietary changes and increased physical activity, or may indicate that medications could be beneficial. Your healthcare provider can help interpret results in the context of your overall health profile and risk factors.

There are lots of things you can do to help lower your cholesterol: Cut down the amount of saturated fat in your food. For example, you could swap butter for olive spread, or meat for fish. Try to be more active. For example, you could commit to walking every day at lunchtime, try a new hobby or swap a short drive for a walk or cycle. Reduce the amount of alcohol you drink each week. Get support from your local pharmacy or GP to reduce and eventually stop smoking. Regular physical activity can help raise HDL (good) cholesterol while lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides.

Dietary changes may include increasing fiber intake through fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while limiting processed foods and trans fats. Maintaining a healthy weight and managing stress through relaxation techniques or regular exercise can also support healthy cholesterol levels. Exercise can play a key role in lowering triglycerides and overall cardiovascular health.