You have this condition if there are high levels of cholesterol in the blood. There are three parts of cholesterol:
- Low density lipoproteins (LDL)—known as bad cholesterol. It causes build up of cholesterol and other fats in the body. High LDL levels can cause artery and heart disease.
- High density lipoproteins (HDL)—known as good cholesterol. It can remove cholesterol and other fats from the body. High levels of HDL can protect against heart disease.
- Triglycerides—a common form of fat in the body.
Causes of high cholesterol include:
These factors increase your chance of high cholesterol:
- Age: cholesterol levels tend to rise with age
-
Sex:
- Family members with high cholesterol
- High-fat diet
- Obesity
, overweight
- Sedentary lifestyle
The condition itself will rarely cause any symptoms. If not treated, it often leads to
atherosclerosis
. This is a dangerous hardening of the arteries. It can end up blocking blood flow through arteries. In severe cases, this may result in:
If you have an inherited form of high cholesterol, cholesterol deposits in the:
- Tendons
- Under the eyes
- Around the cornea
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. These
tests
are used to measure the cholesterol levels in your blood:
- Total cholesterol
- HDL cholesterol
- LDL cholesterol
- Triglycerides
Treatment may include:
If diet and exercise do not work, you may need medication. Examples include:
Statins
are often prescribed for high cholesterol. They have been shown to reduce mortality (death) and
heart attacks
. Ezetimibe has reduced plaque in arteries. However, it has not been shown to reduce mortality.
Some may have a high risk for
coronary artery disease
. In this case, combination therapy may be needed to lower LDL.
To help reduce your chance of getting high cholesterol, follow the
lifestyle changes
above. Work with your doctor to monitor and control your cholesterol levels.
Last reviewed January 2009 by Igor Puzanov, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care
provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a
substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER
IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the
advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to
starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a
medical condition.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.
