High Blood Cholesterol: What It Means and What You Can Do
High Blood Cholesterol: Causes, Tests and Management
You may feel healthy and still have high cholesterol.
That is because high blood cholesterol usually has no clear warning signs. Many people only discover it after having a blood test.
Cholesterol is not always harmful. Your body needs it to build cells, make hormones and support other important functions. The problem begins when certain types of cholesterol become too high in your blood.
What Is Blood Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat like substance found in your blood. Your liver produces most of the cholesterol your body needs. A smaller amount can also come from food.
Cholesterol cannot travel through your blood by itself. It is carried inside particles called lipoproteins.
The two types most people hear about are LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol.
What Is LDL Cholesterol?
LDL stands for low density lipoprotein. It is often called bad cholesterol.
LDL carries cholesterol through your bloodstream. When there is too much LDL, cholesterol can collect inside the walls of your arteries.
Over time, this may contribute to plaque. Plaque can narrow or harden an artery and make it more difficult for blood to move through it.
What Is HDL Cholesterol?
HDL stands for high density lipoprotein. It is often called good cholesterol.
HDL helps carry some cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it can be processed and removed from the body.
Your doctor will normally look at LDL, HDL and other results together. One number alone may not give a complete picture of your heart health.
What Are Triglycerides?
Triglycerides are another type of fat found in your blood.
Your body can use triglycerides for energy. However, high triglyceride levels may add to your cardiovascular risk, especially when they appear with high LDL or low HDL cholesterol.
Triglycerides are usually measured as part of a cholesterol blood test.
Does High Cholesterol Cause Symptoms?
High cholesterol usually does not cause obvious symptoms.
You cannot normally tell whether your cholesterol is high by how you look or feel. A blood test is the most reliable way to check your levels.
This is why regular health checks are important, particularly when you have other risk factors for heart disease.
Why Does High Cholesterol Matter?
Too much LDL cholesterol may contribute to fatty plaque inside your arteries. This process is called atherosclerosis.
As plaque grows, an artery can become narrower and blood flow may be reduced. In some cases, a plaque can break open and contribute to a blood clot.
High cholesterol can increase the risk of cardiovascular problems such as coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Your personal risk also depends on factors such as your blood pressure, age, smoking history, diabetes and family history.
What Causes High Cholesterol?
There is not one single cause of high cholesterol.
Some causes may be connected to daily habits. Others may be influenced by your age, health or family history.
Factors that may increase your risk include:
• Eating a diet high in saturated fat
• Not getting enough physical activity
• Smoking
• Carrying excess body weight
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Getting older
• Having a family history of high cholesterol
• Having certain health conditions
Some people inherit a condition called familial hypercholesterolaemia. This can cause very high cholesterol even when a person follows a healthy lifestyle.
How Is Cholesterol Tested?
Cholesterol is checked with a blood test called a lipid profile or lipid panel.
A full test may include:
• Total cholesterol
• LDL cholesterol
• HDL cholesterol
• Triglycerides
• Non HDL cholesterol
Your results should be considered alongside your broader health and heart disease risk. A suitable cholesterol target for one person may not be the right target for another.
Your doctor can explain what your results mean based on your age, family history, medical conditions and other risk factors.
How Can High Cholesterol Be Managed?
Managing high cholesterol may involve lifestyle changes, medication or a combination of both.
The right approach depends on your cholesterol results and your overall risk of heart attack or stroke.
Choose Heart Healthy Foods
A heart healthy eating pattern may help improve cholesterol levels and support your general cardiovascular health.
Try to include:
• Vegetables and fruit
• Wholegrains
• Beans and lentils
• Nuts and seeds
• Fish and seafood
• Lean sources of protein
• Reduced fat dairy when advised
• Healthy fats from foods such as olives, avocado, nuts and seeds
It may also help to limit foods that are high in saturated fat, including fatty meat, butter, cream and many highly processed foods.
You do not need to follow a perfect diet. Small changes made regularly can be easier to maintain than a strict short term plan.
Move Your Body Regularly
Regular physical activity can support cholesterol management, blood pressure, circulation, weight and general heart health.
Walking, swimming, cycling, gardening and other activities can all count. Choose forms of movement that are suitable for your current health and ability.
Speak with your doctor before beginning a new exercise routine when you have a medical condition or have not been active for some time.
Stop Smoking
Smoking damages blood vessels and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Stopping smoking can improve your overall heart health, even when you have smoked for many years. Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend services or treatments that make quitting easier.
Work Towards a Healthy Weight
Carrying excess body weight can be connected with higher LDL cholesterol, higher triglycerides, diabetes and high blood pressure.
Even modest and sustainable changes may support better health. Focus on habits you can continue rather than rapid weight loss plans.
Take Medication as Directed
Lifestyle changes may not be enough for everyone.
Your doctor may recommend cholesterol lowering medication when your cholesterol is high or your overall cardiovascular risk is elevated.
Statins are one of the most commonly used types of cholesterol medicine. They reduce the amount of cholesterol made by the liver and can lower LDL cholesterol.
Do not stop or change prescribed medication without speaking with your doctor. Medication decisions should be based on your full medical history and personal risk.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
You may find it helpful to ask:
• What do my cholesterol results mean?
• What is my LDL cholesterol level?
• What is my HDL cholesterol level?
• Are my triglycerides high?
• What is my overall risk of heart attack or stroke?
• How often should I have another blood test?
• Which lifestyle changes would help me most?
• Do I need cholesterol lowering medication?
• Could my family history be affecting my cholesterol?
Writing your questions down before your appointment can make it easier to remember what you want to discuss.
The Bottom Line
High blood cholesterol is common, and it often causes no obvious symptoms.
A simple blood test can help you understand your cholesterol levels. Your doctor can then consider those results alongside your blood pressure, family history, lifestyle and other health factors.
Healthy eating, regular movement, not smoking and following prescribed treatment may all form part of a cholesterol management plan.
Knowing your numbers gives you the chance to act before serious problems develop.
Related AtheroCare Reading
Cholesterol Isn’t Just About What’s on Your Plate
Learn why total cholesterol is only one part of the picture and which tests may provide more information about your cardiovascular risk.
Can Cyclodextrin Help With Cholesterol Management?
Explore the early research into cyclodextrin and its ability to interact with cholesterol.
Healthy Fats vs Unhealthy Fats
Learn how different types of dietary fat may affect cholesterol and heart health.
References
National Heart Foundation of Australia. Blood Cholesterol.
Healthdirect Australia. Cholesterol: What to Do if Your Cholesterol Is Too High.
Better Health Channel. Cholesterol.
Better Health Channel. Cholesterol Healthy Eating Tips.
Healthdirect Australia. Statins: Benefits and Side Effects
Medical Disclaimer
This article is provided for general information and education only. It is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Always speak with a qualified healthcare professional about your blood pressure, symptoms, medicines and personal cardiovascular risk. Do not begin, stop or change any treatment based only on information in this article.
