High Cholesterol
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High cholesterol happens when you have too much of a particular type of fat in your bloodstream. It can happen to anyone, but you’re at greater risk of having high cholesterol if you lead an unhealthy lifestyle.
Talk to us to get advice and support on how to lower your cholesterol. We can offer a range of treatments on subscription to help you get, and stay, healthy.
There are three main types of cholesterol: high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL).
Cholesterol is a fat-like, waxy substance in the blood which the liver produces. It is important for the body as it protects nerves, makes cell membranes and certain hormones. But high levels of cholesterol can be dangerous.
High cholesterol can cause fatty deposits to gather in the arteries. Gradually, these deposits grow and interrupt the flow of blood through the arteries. This can form blood clots and increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.
HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is called “good” cholesterol. It takes cholesterol to your liver, where it is flushed out of your body. This reduces the risk of cholesterol collecting at the wall of your arteries, which helps to keep you healthy.
LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is called “bad” cholesterol. It takes cholesterol directly to your arteries. Excess amounts of cholesterol sometimes cause a plaque buildup which increases the risk of blood clot in the arteries, which can eventually lead to a heart attack or stroke.
VLDL is very-low-density lipoprotein produced in the liver and carried through your bloodstream into your body. VLDL mainly carries triglycerides into your blood vessels. Like LDL, VLDL is also considered “bad” cholesterol as too many triglycerides can build up deposits in your artery walls and make them narrow. This restricts blood-flow, and can also lead to serious health issues.
Poor cholesterol levels are usually found in adults, particularly those over the age of 40. This is because as you get older, your body becomes worse at removing LDL cholesterol. You are also more likely to have high cholesterol if you’re a smoker, a drinker, have a bad diet, lead a sedentary lifestyle or are overweight or obese.
It can occur in children, usually by an inherited disorder called familial hypercholesterolemia, which doesn’t let the body recycle LDL cholesterol properly. It is important that you check your cholesterol levels regularly, particularly if you’re at risk, so that you can begin treating it before it creates bigger problems.
It’s unclear just how common high cholesterol is, partly because so many people have it without knowing. But in 2008, the global prevalence of raised total cholesterol among adults was estimated at 39% (37% for males and 40% for females).
So it’s definitely common. And if global obesity continues to rise then it’s only going to become more widespread.
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When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy
Many factors can be responsible for a high amount of cholesterol in your body. Poor lifestyle choices like an unhealthy diet (foods high in saturated fat, trans fat or refined sugars), lack of physical activity, drinking excessive alcohol and smoking can increase your cholesterol levels.
Some health factors which can also cause high cholesterol levels include obesity, family history of high cholesterol, increasing age or being of South Asian origin. Medical conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney or liver problems, underactive thyroid gland and polycystic ovary syndrome can increase the amount of ‘bad’ cholesterol in your body.
High cholesterol can cause a plaque build up called atherosclerosis to accumulate in the arteries. Gradually, this buildup grows and forms a clot that interrupts the flow of blood through the arteries. This often causes heart attacks, strokes or coronary artery diseases.
High cholesterol does not have any specific symptoms. You might know about it only during life-threatening complications.
The only way to be aware about your cholesterol levels is to get it checked regularly. A simple blood test will give you the levels of good (HDL) cholesterol, bad (non-HDL) cholesterol and triglycerides in your body.
Yes. High cholesterol has been linked to an increased risk of people developing serious and sometimes life-threatening problems down the line. High blood cholesterol can lead to a condition called atherosclerosis: where excess plaque builds up in your blood vessels.
This can, in turn, lead to coronary heart disease, heart attack, stroke or sudden cardiac arrest.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy
You’ll typically only be prescribed medicines for high cholesterol if your levels aren’t going down after you’ve tried to lower it yourself (with good diet and exercise) or if you’re at a particularly high risk of suffering from serious problems.
The most common medications for high cholesterol are statins. Statins help to regulate your cholesterol by reducing the amount of it that your body makes. They usually come as a tablet that you take once a day.
If you don’t want to use statins, or they don’t work, you can use other medications: such as ezetimibe, bempedoic acid, fibrates and bile acid sequestrants (also called resins). There are also injections you can use, such as alirocumab and evolocumab.
Typically, the best treatment for high cholesterol is to try to cut out the amount of saturated fats and carbohydrates in your diet, as well as to increase your level of exercise. But for some people this doesn’t work, or isn’t easy to do.
Failing this, statins have been observed to lower the risk of people with high cholesterol from experiencing heart attacks by 24% and cardiovascular disease by 18%.
No, many people can lower their cholesterol without treatment. For instance, some have been able to keep their high cholesterol levels within the normal range by making simple lifestyle changes like more regular exercise and a healthier diet. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables and low in saturated and trans fat is very helpful to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol.
But if you have high cholesterol despite making these changes, talking to our clinical team would be the best way to deal with it. Our doctor will examine your general health condition and suggest treatment that’s right for you.
High cholesterol treatment may differ from person to person, depending on the seriousness of your condition, your age, risk factors and possible side effects from certain medicines.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy
Have something specific you want to know about High cholesterol? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
Indicator Metadata Registry Details. [online]
Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Lowering Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol With Statin Therapy. Circulation, 133(11), pp.1073–1080.
Tablets used to treat high cholesterol levels simply, quickly and effectively.
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