High cholesterol

Further Information

• American Heart Association
• British Heart Foundation
• Heart and Stroke Foundation
• Heart Information Network

Interactive Learning

Cholesterol is a waxy substance found amongst the lipids (fats) in the bloodstream and in all your body’s cells. When there is too much cholesterol in your blood, it builds up in the walls of your arteries and is one of the major risk factors for heart disease. In fact, the higher your blood cholesterol level, the greater your risk for developing heart disease or having a stroke or heart attack.

Risk Factors

You get cholesterol in two ways. Your body makes some of it, and the rest comes from cholesterol in animal products that you eat. These include meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy products. Food from plants like fruit, vegetables and cereals doesn’t contain cholesterol.

Cholesterol is transported to and from the cells by special carriers called lipoproteins. Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, is known as the “bad” cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is the main source of cholesterol build-up and blockage in the arteries, a process called atherosclerosis.

High density lipoprotein, or HDL, is known as the “good” cholesterol. Your body makes HDL cholesterol for your protection since it helps keep cholesterol from building up in the arteries.

Treatment

A variety of things can affect cholesterol levels. Achieving a healthy diet, weight loss, and regular exercise are the first steps to help lower blood cholesterol and to prevent heart disease.

Reducing the amount of saturated fat and cholesterol in your diet helps lower your blood cholesterol level. The main goal of cholesterol-lowering treatment is to lower your LDL enough to reduce your risk of developing heart disease or heart attack.

In addition to life-style changes, there are several types of drugs available for lowering cholesterol including statins, bile acid sequestrants, nicotinic acid and fibrates. Your doctor can help decide which drug is best for you.