High cholesterol

High cholesterol, also known as hyperlipidemia, means there is an excess of lipids or fats in the blood. Your liver digests food and makes hormones by making cholesterol. You also consume cholesterol in certain foods, but your liver makes all that your body needs to function correctly, making the cholesterol you eat excess.

Too much cholesterol can create blockages in the arteries. When it is more difficult for blood to flow through the body, the risk of stroke or heart attack increases. The plaque buildup itself can also be irritated, which will cause a clot to form around it.

Hyperlipidemia does not usually show symptoms until emergency complications have presented themselves. A blood test will let you and your physician know what your cholesterol levels are. Speak with your primary care physician about when you should begin screening.

Signs of high cholesterol include:

• Chest pain or pressure
• High blood pressure
• Heart attack
• Stroke

• Genetics
• Lifestyle factors
  • An unbalanced diet
  • A lack of physical activity
  • Heavy tobacco or alcohol use
• Health conditions
  • Kidney disease
  • Diabetes
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
  • An underactive thyroid
  • Liver disease
• Certain medications

• Familial: A type that you can inherit from your parents or grandparents, increasing chances of early coronary artery disease and heart attack.
• Acquired: This type is most often caused by certain lifestyle factors, and sometimes caused by underlying health conditions and certain medications.

• Being overweight
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Smoking
• Drinking too much alcohol

• Exercise multiple days a week
• Avoid saturated and trans fats
• Incorporate lots of fruits, vegetables, nuts, fish, and whole grains into your diet
• Limit red meats and processed foods

If making lifestyle changes isn’t effective in lowering your cholesterol levels, your physician will recommend different types of medication to help with treatment. The choice of medication or combination of medications depends on various factors, including your personal risk factors, your age, your health, and possible drug side effects.