High Cholesterol Information | Causes, Risks, Management

High cholesterol refers to elevated levels of cholesterol in the blood, potentially increasing heart disease risk. Lifestyle modifications and medications can help manage high cholesterol.

High Cholesterol FAQ

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What happens if LDL cholesterol is too high?

LDL cholesterol is often called “bad cholesterol.” It carries cholesterol to your arteries. If your levels of LDL cholesterol are too high, it can build up on the walls of your arteries. This buildup is also known as cholesterol plaque. This plaque can narrow your arteries, limit your blood flow, and raise your risk of blood clots.

How common is high cholesterol?

High cholesterol is a pretty common issue in the U.S. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 94 million U.S. adults ages 20 or older have what could be considered borderline high cholesterol.

Is too much cholesterol bad for You?

Cholesterol is a waxy substance throughout the body. It’s not “bad” unless you have too much of it. Your body needs it to build cells and make vitamins and other hormones. But too much cholesterol can pose a problem. Cholesterol comes from two sources. Your liver makes all the cholesterol you need.

What does high LDL cholesterol mean?

LDL cholesterol is any cholesterol carried by low-density lipoproteins. If your blood contains too much LDL cholesterol, you may be diagnosed with high cholesterol. Without treatment, high cholesterol may lead to many health issues, including heart attack and stroke. High cholesterol rarely causes symptoms in the beginning.

What is cholesterol & how does it affect your health?

Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in your blood. Your body needs cholesterol to build healthy cells, but high levels of cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease. With high cholesterol, you can develop fatty deposits in your blood vessels.

What does high cholesterol mean?

Cholesterol is a natural fatty substance in your blood. It’s produced in the liver and it's also in some of the foods we eat. Cholesterol is important to keep the cells in our bodies healthy. High cholesterol means that you have too much cholesterol in your blood. There are many things that can cause this.

What causes high cholesterol?

High cholesterol is when you have too much of a fatty substance called cholesterol in your blood. It's mainly caused by eating fatty food, not exercising enough, being overweight, smoking and drinking alcohol. It can also run in families. You can lower your cholesterol by eating healthily and getting more exercise.

What happens if you have high cholesterol?

Your body needs cholesterol to build healthy cells, but high levels of cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease. With high cholesterol, you can develop fatty deposits in your blood vessels. Eventually, these deposits grow, making it difficult for enough blood to flow through your arteries.