Overview
Cholesterol is a waxy substance that the body needs in small amounts to build cells and make certain hormones. Problems happen when levels in the blood are too high, especially low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which can contribute to plaque buildup inside arteries. Over time, this can narrow blood vessels and reduce blood flow to the heart, brain, and other parts of the body.
Key Symptoms
High cholesterol itself usually does not cause symptoms. A person may feel completely well while damage slowly builds up in the arteries over many years. Symptoms often appear only after complications develop, such as chest pain, heart attack, stroke, or poor circulation in the legs.
Causes and Risk Factors
High cholesterol can result from a mix of genetics, diet, physical inactivity, smoking, excess body weight, and some health conditions. Diets high in saturated fat or trans fat may raise LDL cholesterol in some people. Diabetes, kidney disease, thyroid problems, and certain medicines can also affect cholesterol levels. Some people inherit conditions such as familial hypercholesterolemia, which can cause very high cholesterol from a young age.
Who Is Affected
High cholesterol can affect adults of any age and also occurs in some children and teenagers. Risk generally increases with age, but younger people may also have unhealthy cholesterol levels, especially if there is a strong family history or other risk factors. Because there are often no symptoms, people from all backgrounds may have high cholesterol without knowing it.
Prevention
Many people can lower their risk by eating a heart-healthy diet, being physically active, avoiding tobacco, and maintaining a healthy weight. Managing conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure is also important for protecting the heart and blood vessels. Regular health checks can help find cholesterol problems early.
Diagnosis and Tests
High cholesterol is usually diagnosed with a blood test called a lipid panel or lipid profile. This test may measure total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides. A healthcare professional interprets the results together with a person's age, family history, smoking status, blood pressure, diabetes, and overall cardiovascular risk.
Treatment Categories
Treatment often starts with lifestyle changes such as improving diet, increasing physical activity, stopping smoking, and addressing weight-related health concerns. Some people also need cholesterol-lowering medicine, especially if their cholesterol is very high or they already have cardiovascular disease or diabetes. Ongoing follow-up helps track progress and adjust the care plan over time.
Diet and Lifestyle
Helpful eating patterns often include vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts, and sources of unsaturated fats, while limiting foods high in saturated fat, trans fat, and excess salt. Regular physical activity can improve heart health and may help raise HDL cholesterol while lowering overall cardiovascular risk. Limiting alcohol, avoiding tobacco, getting enough sleep, and reducing stress can also support long-term heart health.
When to Seek Medical Care
See a healthcare professional if you have a family history of high cholesterol, early heart disease, stroke, or if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, or other cardiovascular risk factors. Medical advice is also important if a blood test shows abnormal cholesterol levels or if you have questions about treatment options. Children may need assessment if there is a strong family history of inherited high cholesterol.
When It May Be an Emergency
High cholesterol itself is not usually an emergency, but its complications can be. Get urgent medical help right away for possible heart attack symptoms such as chest pressure, pain spreading to the arm, back, neck, or jaw, shortness of breath, cold sweat, nausea, or sudden fainting. Seek emergency care for possible stroke symptoms such as sudden facial drooping, arm weakness, speech trouble, sudden confusion, severe dizziness, or sudden vision changes.