Causes of high cholesterol include diet, smoking, and genetics. High cholesterol rarely causes symptoms, so it’s important to get routine cholesterol screenings if you’re at risk.
According to the
But you may not know you have high cholesterol (also known as hyperlipidemia or dyslipidemia) until you get tested because this condition often doesn’t have symptoms.
Cholesterol is a type of lipid — a waxy, fat-like substance that your liver produces. It’s vital for the formation of:
- cell membranes
- certain hormones
- vitamin D
Cholesterol doesn’t dissolve in water, so it can’t travel through your blood on its own. To help transport cholesterol, your liver produces lipoproteins.
Lipoproteins are particles made from fat and protein that carry cholesterol and triglycerides, another type of lipid, through your bloodstream. The two major forms of lipoprotein are low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL).
You may hear these referred to as “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and “good” cholesterol (HDL).
LDL cholesterol is any cholesterol that low-density lipoproteins carry. If your blood contains too much LDL cholesterol, you may be diagnosed with high LDL cholesterol.
High cholesterol is often a “silent” condition and typically doesn’t have symptoms.
Many people don’t realize they have high cholesterol or receive treatment until they develop serious complications, such as heart attack and stroke. That’s why it’s important to get your cholesterol levels checked on a regular basis.
If you’re 20 years or older, ask your doctor if you should have routine cholesterol screening.
Eating too many foods high in cholesterol, saturated fats, and trans fats may
Having obesity may also increase your risk. Other lifestyle factors that can contribute to high cholesterol include inactivity and smoking.
Genetics can also affect your chances of developing high cholesterol.
But high cholesterol is rarely caused by familial hypercholesterolemia, an inherited genetic disorder that prevents the body from removing LDL. Most adults with this condition have
Other health conditions, such as diabetes and hypothyroidism, may increase your risk of developing high cholesterol and related complications.
People of all ages, sexes, and ethnicities can have high cholesterol. While these risk factors are out of your control, there are ways to reduce your risks.
Here’s the difference between the three types of cholesterol:
LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol
LDL cholesterol carries cholesterol to the arteries.
If your levels of LDL cholesterol are too high and left untreated, plaque can build up on the walls of your arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis. This can:
- narrow your arteries
- limit blood flow to your tissues and organs
- raise your risk of blood clots
If a blood clot blocks an artery in your heart or brain, it can cause a heart attack or stroke.
High cholesterol can also create a bile imbalance, raising your risk of gallstones.
Complications of atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis
HDL ‘good’ cholesterol
HDL cholesterol essentially works against LDL cholesterol by returning it to the liver for removal from the body, preventing cholesterol plaque from building up in the arteries. It lowers your risk of:
- blood clots
- heart disease
- stroke
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are another type of lipid. While your body uses cholesterol to build cells and certain hormones, it uses triglycerides for energy.
Your body converts calories it can’t use right away into triglycerides, which are stored in fat cells. It uses lipoproteins to circulate triglycerides through your bloodstream.
If you regularly eat more calories than your body can use, your triglyceride levels may become too high. This can raise your risk of health problems, including heart disease and stroke.
A doctor can use a blood test to measure your triglyceride and cholesterol levels.
The CDC recommends cholesterol level checks
Your doctor will use a test called a lipid panel to measure the levels of your:
- total cholesterol (overall amount of cholesterol in your blood, including LDL and HDL cholesterol)
- LDL cholesterol
- HDL cholesterol
- triglycerides
If your total or LDL cholesterol levels are too high, your doctor may diagnose you with high cholesterol. High cholesterol can be dangerous when your LDL levels are too high and your HDL levels are too low.
If you need help finding a primary care doctor, check out our FindCare tool.
Optimal cholesterol levels charts
According to the
| Cholesterol level | Cholesterol type |
|---|---|
| about 150 mg/dL | total |
| about 100 mg/dL | LDL |
| at least 40 mg/dL in men and 50 mg/dL in women | HDL |
| less than 150 mg/dL | triglycerides |
| LDL cholesterol levels | Category |
|---|---|
| below 100 mg/dL | optimal |
| 100 to 129 mg/dL | near/above optimal |
| 130 to 159 mg/dL | borderline high |
| 160 to 189 mg/dL | high |
| above 190 mg/dL | very high |
These measurements are general. Your doctor will consider other factors before deciding on a treatment plan.
If you have high cholesterol, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes to help lower it.
Most doctors use generalized measurements to decide on treatment plans. They may categorize these measurements as:
- desirable
- borderline high
- high cholesterol
Your doctor may also prescribe medications to help lower your cholesterol levels. Sometimes, they may refer you to a specialist for more care.
Diet
To help you achieve and maintain healthy cholesterol levels, your doctor may recommend changes to your diet. They may advise you to:
- limit your intake of foods high in cholesterol, saturated fats, and trans fats
- choose lean sources of protein, such as chicken, fish, and legumes
- eat a variety of high fiber foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
- opt for baked, broiled, steamed, grilled, and roasted foods
- avoid sugary, prepackaged food options when possible
Foods that are high in cholesterol, saturated fats, or trans fats that your doctor may recommend avoiding include:
- red meat, organ meats, egg yolks, and high fat dairy products
- ultra-processed foods made with cocoa butter or palm oil
- deep-fried foods
- certain baked goods, such as some cookies and muffins
Fish and other foods containing omega-3 fatty acids may help lower your LDL levels.
Medications
A diagnosis of high cholesterol doesn’t mean you will be put on medication. If your doctor does prescribe cholesterol medication, different factors may influence what they recommend.
Your doctor might prescribe medications to help lower your cholesterol levels if lifestyle changes alone aren’t working.
Statins are the most commonly prescribed medications for high cholesterol. They block your liver from producing more cholesterol.
Examples of statins include:
- atorvastatin (Lipitor)
- pravastatin (Lescol)
- rosuvastatin (Crestor)
- simvastatin (Zocor)
Other medications for high cholesterol can include:
- niacin
- bile acid resins or sequestrants, such as colesevalam (Welchol), colestipol (Colestid), or cholestyramine (Prevalite)
- cholesterol absorption inhibitors, such as ezetimibe (Zetia)
- PCSK9 inhibitors, such as alirocumab (Praluent) and evolocumab (Repatha)
Some products contain a combination of drugs to help decrease your body’s absorption of cholesterol from foods and reduce your liver’s production of cholesterol. One example is a combination of ezetimibe and simvastatin (Vytorin).
Home remedies
You may be able to lower your cholesterol levels without taking medications. A nutritious diet, regular exercise, and avoiding smoking tobacco products may be enough for some people.
Some people claim that certain herbal and nutritional supplements may also help lower cholesterol levels. Claims have been made about:
- garlic
- hawthorn
- astragalus
- red yeast rice
- plant sterol and stanol supplements
- blond psyllium, found in psyllium seed husk
- ground flaxseed
The level of evidence supporting these claims varies. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn’t approved any of these products for treating high cholesterol. More research is needed to learn if they can help treat this condition.
Talk with a healthcare professional before taking any herbal or nutritional supplements. In some cases, they might interact with other medications you’re taking.
You can’t control the genetic risk factors for high cholesterol, but you can manage your lifestyle.
To lower your risk of developing high cholesterol:
- Eat a nutritious diet that’s low in cholesterol and animal fats, and high in fiber.
- Avoid excessive alcohol consumption.
- Maintain a moderate weight.
- Exercise regularly.
- Avoid smoking, or try a smoking cessation program.
Follow your doctor’s recommendations for routine cholesterol screening. If you have a higher risk of developing high cholesterol or coronary heart disease, they will likely encourage regular testing.
High cholesterol often has no symptoms. But without treatment, it can cause serious health issues.
A healthcare professional can help you manage high cholesterol levels and, in many cases, avoid complications.
Ask a doctor to test your cholesterol levels, especially if you’re over age 20. Practicing healthy lifestyle choices like exercising and not smoking while eating nutritious, whole foods will help you manage your health and cholesterol.