Cholesterol

“The only way to know whether you have
high cholesterol is to get your
cholesterol checked by your health care team”.1

Umbrella

What may the Cholesterol Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Bad Cholesterol (LDL)
  • Blood Cholesterol/Serum
  • Good Cholesterol (HDL)
  • High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Cholesterol
  • Hyperlipidemia
  • Lipids
  • Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol
  • Total Cholesterol
  • Triglycerides

Definition

What is cholesterol?

DotS the definition of cholesterol may vary. The (United States) National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute’s (NHLBI) definition is:

“Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that your body needs for good health, but in the right amounts”.2

The National Heart Foundation of Australia’s (NHFA) definition is:

“Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance necessary to make hormones and vitamin D, and to help you digest food. Your body produces cholesterol, and it’s also in some foods.

The human body uses cholesterol to build cells, but too much can put you at risk of heart disease”.3

HDL

What is high-density lipoproteins (HDL)?

DotS the definition of HDL may vary. In High Cholesterol – Symptoms, Causes & Levels: Types of Cholesterol the British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) definition is:

“High-density lipoproteins or HDL is known as ‘good’ cholesterol. It gets rid of the ‘bad’ cholesterol from your blood by taking cholesterol you don’t need back to the liver, where it is broken down and removed from your body”.4

Non-HDL

What is non-high density liproteins (non-HDL)?

DotS the definition of non-HDL may vary. In High Cholesterol – Symptoms, Causes & Levels: Types of Cholesterol the BHF’s definition is:

“Non-high-density lipoproteins or non-HDL is known as ‘bad’ cholesterol. Too much non-HDL leads to a build up of fatty deposits inside the walls of the blood vessels (channels that carry blood throughout your body). This builds up and narrows blood vessels, increasing the risk of a heart attack or stroke”.5

LDL

What is low-density lipoprotein (LDL)?

DotS the definition of LDL may vary. In High Cholesterol – Symptoms, Causes & Levels: Types of Cholesterol the BHF explain:

“You may also have heard ‘bad’ cholesterol being called ‘LDL’ cholesterol. This used to be the main measure of harmful types of cholesterol, but we now know that other forms of non-HDL cholesterol can also affect your health”.6

Triglycerides

What are triglycerides?

Dots the definition of triglycerides may vary. In Blood Cholesterol: What Is Blood Cholesterol? Cholesterol and Triglycerides the NHFA explain:

“Triglycerides are the most common fat in the body. Being overweight, eating a lot of high fat and sugary foods, or drinking too much alcohol can increase your triglyceride levels. High triglycerides, along with either increased LDL cholesterol or decreased HDL cholesterol can increase your chances of developing fatty build-ups in the arteries – and a higher risk of heart attack and stroke”.7

High Cholesterol

What is high cholesterol?

DotS the definition of high cholesterol may vary. In High Cholesterol – Symptoms, Causes & Levels: High Cholesterol Explained the BHF’s definition is:

“High cholesterol means that you have too much cholesterol in your blood. There are many things that can cause this. If you don’t take steps to lower high cholesterol, it can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke”.8

Symptoms

What are symptoms of high cholesterol?

In Blood Cholesterol: Symptoms the NHLBI note:

“High levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol usually do not cause symptoms. Most people do not know they have high blood cholesterol until they have a blood test during a routine healthcare visit”.9

CholesterolCause

What causes high cholesterol?

In Blood Cholesterol: Causes and Risk Factors – What Raises the Risk for Unhealthy Blood Cholesterol Levels? the NHLBI elaborate on:

“Unhealthy lifestyle habits:

  • Eating a lot of foods high in saturated fats…
  • Lack of physical activity…
  • Smoking…
  • Stress…
  • Drinking too much alcohol
  • Getting little or low quality sleep…

Family History…
Other Medical Conditions…
Medicines…
Age…
Race or Ethnicity…
Sex”…10

Common or Not

How common is high cholesterol?

According to the CDC:

“Millions of people in the United States have high cholesterol.11

Heart Disease, Heart Attack and StrokeCholesterol

Is there an association between heart disease, heart attack and stroke and cholesterol?

In What Is Cholesterol? Why Cholesterol Matters the (United States) American Heart Association (AHA) explain:

“High cholesterol is one of the major controllable risk factors for coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke. If you have other risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure or diabetes, your risk increases even more”.12

Prevention

How may high cholesterol be prevented?

In Prevention and Treatment of High Cholesterol (Hyperlipidemia): Know Your Numbers. And What To Do About Them. the AHA elaborate on:

“Lifestyle changes include:

  • Eating a heart-healthy diet…
  • Becoming more physically active…
  • Quitting smoking…
  • Losing weight…”.13

Know Your Numbers

How important is it to know your numbers?

In Know Your Numbers They Could Just Save Your Life Go Red for Women explain:

“You can’t manage what you don’t measure, which is why knowing your risk is critical to preventing cardiovascular disease. And knowing your risk starts with knowing your numbers.

Talk to your healthcare provider today to learn about your Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, Blood Sugar and BMI (Body Mass Index). Your heart depends on it”.14

Health Care Provider

What if I think I have high cholesterol or I have a family history of high cholesterol?

If you think you have high cholesterol or you have a family history of high cholesterol it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

In Cholesterol: About Cholesterol – How Do I Know If I Have High Cholesterol? the CDC explain:

“The only way to know whether you have high cholesterol is to get your cholesterol checked by your health care team. Talk with your health care team about how often you should have your cholesterol screened”.15

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Cholesterol?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Cholesterol?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

New or Updated

  1. 4 Foods Not To Eat If You Have High Cholesterol
  2. 5 Ways To Increase HDL
  3. 6 Ways To Lower Your Cholesterol
  4. 8 Cholesterol-Lowering Foods To Try
  5. Blood Cholesterol
  6. Blood Cholesterol: What Is Blood Cholesterol? [+ Video: Cholesterol and Heart Disease | Heart Foundation]
  7. Blood Cholesterol: Causes and Risk Factors
  8. Blood Cholesterol: Signs, Symptoms, and Complications
  9. Blood Cholesterol: Treatment
  10. Can We Reduce Vascular Plaque Buildup?
  11. Causes of High Cholesterol
  12. Cholesterol
  13. Cholesterol
  14. Cholesterol
  15. Cholesterol Levels: What You Need To Know
  16. Cholesterol Medications
  17. Cholesterol Medicines Guide
  18. Cholesterol Myths and Facts
  19. Cholesterol and Heart Disease
  20. Cholesterol and Heart Disease: The Role of Diet
  21. Cholesterol-Lowering Supplements May Be Helpful
  22. Cholesterol: About
  23. Cholesterol: Cholesterol Lowering Medicines
  24. Cholesterol: Fact versus Fiction
  25. Cholesterol: LDL and HDL Cholesterol and Triglycerides
  26. Cholesterol: Myths and Facts
  27. Cholesterol: Preventing High Cholesterol
  28. Cholesterol: Risk Factors for High Cholesterol
  29. Cholesterol: Treat and Manage High Cholesterol
  30. Cholesterol: Top Foods To Improve Your Numbers
  31. Common Misconceptions About Cholesterol
  32. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2023 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Menopause and Heart Disease
  33. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Preparing for Your Menopause Healthcare Visit
  34. Control Your Cholesterol
  35. Doctors Should ‘Prescribe’ Exercise for Adults With Slightly High Blood Pressure, Cholesterol
  36. Eating Walnuts Every Day Could Lower Bad Cholesterol In Older Adults
  37. Eggs: Are They Good or Bad for My Cholesterol?
  38. Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH)
  39. Fat: The Facts
  40. Fats Explained
  41. Fats, Oils and Heart Health
  42. February Is American Heart Month
    Cholesterol
  43. Five Ways To Lower Cholesterol
  44. For Women: The FDA Gives Tips To Prevent Heart Disease [Food and Drug Administration, United States]
  45. Get Your Cholesterol Checked
  46. Getting Serious About Heart Health: Risk Factors for Cholesterol
  47. Goredforwomen.org [Go Red for Women, United States]
  48. Give Your Good Cholesterol A Boost
  49. Goredforwomen.org [Go Red for Women, United States]
  50. HDL (Good), LDL (Bad) Cholesterol and Triglycerides
  51. Healthy Eating
  52. Healthy Living
  53. Heartuk.org.uk [Heart UK: The Cholesterol Charity
  54. Here’s the Latest on Dietary Cholesterol and How It Fits In With A Healthy Diet
  55. High Cholesterol
  56. High Cholesterol
  57. High Cholesterol Treatment: Does Cinnamon Lower Cholesterol?
  58. High Cholesterol – Symptoms, Causes & Levels
  59. High Cholesterol: Diagnosis & Treatment
  60. High Cholesterol: What Is High Cholesterol?
  61. How Does Menopause Affect Cholesterol Levels?
  62. How Much Cholesterol Per Day Is Healthy?
  63. How To Eat Less Saturated Fat
  64. How To Get Your Cholesterol Tested
  65. How To Lower Cholesterol With Diet
  66. How To Make Healthy Food and Healthy Lifestyle Choices Now
  67. How To Naturally Lower Your Cholesterol
  68. Is High Cholesterol Hereditary?
  69. Know Your Numbers?
  70. Know Your Risk
  71. LDL and HDL Cholesterol and Triglycerides
  72. Life’s Essential 8
  73. Mayo Clinic Minute: Best Cooking Fats for Healthy Cholesterol Levels [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  74. Mayo Clinic Minute: What High Triglycerides Mean and Why It Matters To Your Heart [Video]
  75. Mayo Clinic Minute: Who Benefits From Taking Statins? [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  76. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Cholesterol – Know Your Numbers
  77. Menopause Can Bring Increased Cholesterol Levels and Other Heart Risks. Here’s Why and What To Do About It
  78. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Herbs At A Glance
  79. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  80. Prevention and Treatment of High Cholesterol (Hyperlipidemia): Know Your Numbers and What to Do About Them – Losing Weight [+ Video: How To Manage High Cholesterol]
  81. Risk Factors for High Cholesterol
  82. Statin Side Effects: Weight the Benefits and the Risks
  83. Statins
  84. Statins and Diabetes: What You Should Know
  85. Statins, Risk, and Personalised Care
  86. Take Your Cholesterol Meds: Stopping Statins Can Cause Dangerous Side Effects
  87. Testing for Cholesterol
  88. Top 5 Lifestyle Changes To Improve Cholesterol
  89. Treat and Manage High Cholesterol
  90. Triglycerides: Why Do They Matter?
  91. What Is Cholesterol? Why Cholesterol Matters [+ Video: What Is Cholesterol?]
  92. What Is the Link Between Menopause and Cholesterol Levels?
  93. What It Means If You Have ‘Sticky’ Cholesterol?
  94. What’s the Best Diet for High Cholesterol?
  95. What’s the Connection Between Statins and Diabetes?
  96. World Heart Day [29 September]
  97. World Menopause Day [18 October 2023]
  98. World Stroke Day [29 October]
    Cholesterol
  99. You Can Prevent Heart Disease. Yes, YOU
    Cholesterol
  100. Your Guide To Lowering Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC)
    Cholesterol

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Cholesterol: About Cholesterol – How Do I Know If I Have High Cholesterol? 15 May 2024. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/about/index.html Accessed: 22 January 2025
  2. Blood Cholesterol: What Is Blood Cholesterol? Last Updated: 17 April 2024. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute’s https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/blood-cholesterol Accessed: 22 January 2025
  3. Blood Cholesterol: What Is Blood Cholesterol? Last Updated: 10 January 2025. Last Reviewed: 19 November 2024. National Heart Foundation of Australia https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/your-heart/high-blood-cholesterol Accessed: 22 January 2025
  4. High Cholesterol – Symptoms, Causes & Levels: Types of Cholesterol. Page Last Reviewed: December 2023. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/risk-factors/high-cholesterol Accessed: 22 January 2025
  5. High Cholesterol – Symptoms, Causes & Levels: Types of Cholesterol. Page Last Reviewed: December 2023. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/risk-factors/high-cholesterol Accessed: 22 January 2025
  6. High Cholesterol – Symptoms, Causes & Levels: Types of Cholesterol. Page Last Reviewed: December 2023. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/risk-factors/high-cholesterol Accessed: 22 January 2025
  7. Blood Cholesterol: What Is Blood Cholesterol? Cholesterol and Triglycerides. Last Updated: 10 January 2025. Last Reviewed: 19 November 2024. National Heart Foundation of Australia https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/your-heart/high-blood-cholesterol Accessed: 22 January 2025
  8. High Cholesterol – Symptoms, Causes & Levels: High Cholesterol Explained. Page Last Reviewed: December 2023. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/risk-factors/high-cholesterol Accessed: 22 January 2025
  9. Blood Cholesterol: Symptoms. Last Updated: 18 April 2024. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute’s https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/blood-cholesterol/symptoms Accessed: 22 January 2025
  10. Blood Cholesterol: Causes and Risk Factors – What Raises the Risk for Unhealthy Blood Cholesterol Levels? Last Updated: 19 April 2024. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute’s https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/blood-cholesterol/causes Accessed: 22 January 2025
  11. Cholesterol: About Cholesterol – Key Facts. 15 May 2024. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/about/index.html Accessed: 22 January 2025
  12. What Is Cholesterol? Why Cholesterol Matters. Last Reviewed 16 February 2024. American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/about-cholesterol Accessed: 22 January 2025
  13. Prevention and Treatment of High Cholesterol (Hyperlipidemia). Know Your Numbers. And What To Do About Them. Last Reviewed: 19 February 2024. American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/PreventionTreatmentofHighCholesterol/Prevention-and-Treatment-of-High-Cholesterol_UCM_001215_Article.jsp Accessed: 22 January 2025
  14. Know Your Numbers They Could Just Save Your Life. Go Red for Women https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/know-your-risk/know-your-numbers Accessed: 22 January 2025
  15. Cholesterol: About Cholesterol – How Do I Know If I Have High Cholesterol? 15 May 2024. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/about/index.html Accessed: 22 January 2025
Topic Last Updated: 28 February 2025 – Topic Last Reviewed: 22 January 2025

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
/by