Cholesterol is a white, waxy, fatty substance. It is made in the liver and released into the bloodstream. You can also get cholesterol from the food you eat. It is a type of fat found in the bloodstream. Your body needs some cholesterol to work effectively. Cholesterol has many good uses, but is a problem when there is too much of it in the blood.
The different types of cholesterol
HDL
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is sometimes called good cholesterol.
HDL protects you against heart disease by carrying the extra cholesterol out of your arteries, which lowers your chance of having a heart attack or stroke.
The more HDL you have, the better. Exercise can also increase your good cholesterol.
LDL
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is sometimes called bad cholesterol.
LDL leads to a build-up of bad fat in the artery walls, which can lead to chest pain, heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and kidney and circulation problems.
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are often present in people who have diabetes or alcoholism. They increase the risk of heart disease.
Total Cholesterol
The total blood cholesterol is a measure of LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and other lipid components. Doctor will use your total cholesterol number when determining your risk for heart disease and how best to manage it.
What Is High Blood Cholesterol?
High blood cholesterol is a condition in which you have too much cholesterol in your blood. By itself, the condition usually has no signs or symptoms. Thus, many people don’t know that their cholesterol levels are too high. People who have high blood cholesterol have a greater chance of getting coronary heart disease, also called coronary artery disease.
The higher the level of LDL cholesterol in your blood, the GREATER your chance is of getting heart disease. The higher the level of HDL cholesterol in your blood, the LOWER your chance is of getting heart disease.
Coronary heart disease is a condition in which plaque (plak) builds up inside the coronary (heart) arteries. Plaque is made up of cholesterol, fat, calcium, and other substances found in the blood. When plaque builds up in the arteries, the condition is called atherosclerosis.
What causes high cholesterol?
Foods high in saturated and trans fat increase cholesterol levels. Saturated and trans fats are found mainly in:
Fatty meats
Full cream dairy products (e.g. milk, cream, cheese and butter)
Deep-fried take-away foods
Baked products (e.g. biscuits and pastries)
You should limit the amount of foods you eat that contain saturated and trans fats.
Being overweight or obese can also lead to higher blood LDL levels.
Genetics can contribute to high cholesterol – very high LDL levels are found in the inherited condition familial hypercholesterolemia.
Abnormal cholesterol levels can also arise due to other conditions, including:
Diabetes
Liver or kidney disease
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Pregnancy and other conditions that increase levels of female hormones
Underactive thyroid gland
Drugs that increase LDL cholesterol and decrease HDL cholesterol (progestins, anabolic steroids, and corticosteroids)
Risk factors affects cholesterol levels
Diet. Saturated fat and cholesterol in the food you eat make your blood cholesterol level go up.
Weight. Being overweight is a risk factor for heart disease. It also tends to increase your cholesterol.
Physical Activity. Not being physically active is a risk factor for heart disease.
Age and Gender. As women and men get older, their cholesterol levels rise.
Heredity. Your genes partly determine how much cholesterol your body makes.
Cigarette smoking
High blood pressure (140/90 mmHg).
Signs and symptoms
Having high cholesterol levels, while a risk factor for other conditions, does not itself present any signs or symptoms. Unless routinely screened through regular blood testing, high cholesterol levels will go unnoticed and could present a silent threat of heart attack or stroke.
Effects of High level cholesterol in blood
Stroke
Coronary heart disease
High blood pressure
Chest pain
Diagnosis of Cholesterol level
Doctor will diagnose high blood cholesterol by checking the cholesterol levels in blood. A blood test called a lipoprotein panel can measure your cholesterol levels. Before the test, you’ll need to fast (not eat or drink anything but water) for 9 to 12 hours.
The lipoprotein panel will give your doctor information about:
Total cholesterol.
Total Cholesterol LevelTotal Cholesterol CategoryLess than 200 mg/dLDesirable200–239 mg/dLBorderline high240 mg/dL and higherHigh
LDL cholesterol.
LDL Cholesterol LevelLDL Cholesterol CategoryLess than 100 mg/dLOptimal100–129 mg/dLNear optimal/above optimal130–159 mg/dLBorderline high160–189 mg/dLHigh190 mg/dL and higherVery high
HDL cholesterol.
HDL Cholesterol LevelHDL Cholesterol CategoryLess than 40 mg/dLA major risk factor for heart disease40–59 mg/dLThe higher, the better60 mg/dL and higherConsidered protective against heart disease
Triglycerides: If your triglyceride level is borderline high (150–199 mg/dL) or high (200 mg/dL or higher), you may need treatment
Treating procedures to reduce high cholesterol levels
Therapeutic lifestyle changes
The good news is that lifestyle changes are effective in helping you reduce cholesterol levels. They’re also fairly straightforward and can be done at any age.
Exercise: Physical activity helps you lose weight and boosts your HDL levels. Aim for 30 to 60 minutes a day of moderate cardio.
Eat more fiber: Replace white breads and pastas with whole grains.
Eat healthy fats: Olive oil, avocado, and nuts all have fats that won’t raise your LDL.
Limit cholesterol intake: Reduce the amount of high-saturated fat foods like cheese, whole milk, and high-fat red meats.
Quit smoking.
Cholesterol-Lowering Medicines
Drug treatment for an individual with hypercholesterolemia will depend on their cholesterol level and other risk factors. Diet and exercise are the first approaches used to reduce cholesterol levels. Statin treatment is normally prescribed for people with a higher risk of heart attack.
Statins are the leading group of cholesterol-lowering drugs; others include selective cholesterol absorption inhibitors, resins, fibrates, and niacin. The statins available on prescription in the United States include:
Atorvastatin (brand named Lipitor)
Fluvastatin (Lescol)
Lovastatin (Mevacor, Altoprev)
Pravastatin (Pravachol)
Rosuvastatin calcium (Crestor)
Simvastatin (Zocor)
Bile acid sequestrants also help lower LDL cholesterol. These medicines usually aren’t prescribed as the only medicine to lower cholesterol. Sometimes they’re prescribed with statins.
Nicotinic acid lowers LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and raises HDL cholesterol. You should only use this type of medicine with a doctor’s supervision.
Fibrates lower triglycerides, and they may raise HDL cholesterol. When used with statins, fibrates may increase the risk of muscle problems.
Ezetimibe lowers LDL cholesterol. This medicine works by blocking the intestine from absorbing cholesterol.
Prevention of high cholesterol
Strive for daily intake of less than 7% of your calories from saturated fat and less than 200 mg of cholesterol from the food you eat.
You may eat up to 30% of your calories from total fat, but most should be from unsaturated fat, which doesn’t raise cholesterol levels.
Add more soluble fiber (found in cereal grains, beans, peas, and many fruits and vegetables) and foods that contain plant stanols and sterols (included in certain margarine and salad dressings) to boost your LDL-lowering power. The best way to know what’s in the foods you eat is to read the nutrition label.
Lower cholesterol levels start at the grocery store. Read food labels, and buy foods low in saturated fat and low in cholesterol.
Work with your health-care professional to determine whether medication is needed to control high cholesterol.