
When blood flow to the heart is blocked, it can cause chest pain (also called angina) or a heart attack (also called myocardial infarction). This narrowing blocks blood flow to and from your heart and other organs. Having high blood cholesterol can lead to a buildup called “plaque” on the walls of your arteries (a type of blood vessel).Īs plaque builds up over time, the insides of your arteries narrow. What problems does high cholesterol cause?Īs cholesterol (plaque) builds up in the arteries, the arteries begin to narrow, which lessens or blocks the flow of blood. But you can take steps to lower your risk for high cholesterol by changing things you can control. You can’t control some of these risk factors, such as your age or your family history. All these factors are called “risk factors.” Some people who have a family history of high cholesterol can also be at risk for high cholesterol. Lifestyle factors, such eating a diet high in saturated and trans fats and not getting enough activity, can also raise your risk for high cholesterol. What causes high cholesterol?Ĭertain health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes and obesity, can raise your risk for high cholesterol. Learn about getting your cholesterol checked and why it is important. Knowing your cholesterol status can help you stay in control of your health. High blood cholesterol doesn’t have symptoms, which is why getting your cholesterol levels checked is so important. What are signs and symptoms of high cholesterol? Optimal Cholesterol Levels Optimal Cholesterol Levels 1Īt least 40 mg/dL in men and 50 mg/dL in women Work with your health care team to prevent and manage high cholesterol by working toward optimal cholesterol levels. Millions of people in the United States have high cholesterol. 1 This condition is also called hyperlipidemia. If you are an adult or child, high cholesterol is having a total cholesterol above 200 mg/dL. Learn more about LDL and HDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Total cholesterol, the total amount of cholesterol in your blood based on your HDL, LDL, and triglycerides numbers.The combination of high levels of triglycerides with low HDL cholesterol or high LDL cholesterol levels can increase your risk for heart attack and stroke. Triglycerides, a type of fat in your blood that your body uses for energy.HDL is known as “good” cholesterol because high levels of it can lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) or “good” cholesterol.Having high levels of LDL cholesterol can lead to plaque buildup in your arteries and result in heart disease or stroke. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol.

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When you go to a health care professional to get your cholesterol checked, this test (also called a lipid panel or lipid profile) will usually check the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in your body. What do blood cholesterol numbers mean?Ĭholesterol is measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).

Learn more about preventing high cholesterol by making healthy eating choices. Your body makes all the blood cholesterol it needs, which is why experts recommend that people eat as little dietary cholesterol as possible while on a healthy eating plan.ĭietary cholesterol is found in animal foods, including meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, and dairy products. Your body needs it to perform important jobs, such as making hormones and digesting fatty foods. Blood cholesterol is essential for good health.

Blood cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance made by your liver.
