Cholesterol

“High cholesterol has no signs or symptoms,
so the only way to know if you have it
is to get your cholesterol checked”.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 World Heart Federation’s (WHF) definition is:

“Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance found among the lipids in the bloodstream and in all the body’s cells. It is important to the healthy functioning of our bodies. It is needed to form cell membranes and hormones”.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”.3

HDL

What is high-density lipoproteins (HDL)?

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

“High-density lipoproteins or HDL is called ‘good’ cholesterol. This is because it gets rid of the ‘bad’ cholesterol from your blood. It takes cholesterol that you don’t need back to the liver. The liver breaks it down so it can be passed out of your body”.4

Non-HDL

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

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

“Non-high-density lipoproteins or non-HDL is called ‘bad’ cholesterol. This is because when there is too much of it, it can build up inside the walls of the blood vessels. This clogs them up causing narrowing of the arteries which increases your risk of having a heart attack or stroke”.5

LDL

What is low-density lipoprotein (LDL)?

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

“You may have also heard ‘bad’ cholesterol being called ‘LDL’ cholesterol. This was previously used as the main measure of bad cholesterol but we now know that other forms of non-HDL cholesterol are also harmful”.6

Triglycerides

What are triglycerides?

Dots the definition of triglycerides may vary. In Blood Cholesterol: Types of 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 – Causes, Symptoms & Treatments: What Is High Cholesterol? the BHF’s definition is:

“High cholesterol is when you have too much cholesterol in your blood. This can increase your risk of heart and circulatory diseases such as heart attack and stroke”.8

Symptoms

What are symptoms of high cholesterol?

In Cholesterol the (United States) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) note:

“High cholesterol has no signs or symptoms, so the only way to know if you have it is to get your cholesterol checked”.9

Cause

What causes high cholesterol?

In High Cholesterol – Causes, Symptoms & Treatments: What Causes High Cholesterol? the BHF explain:

“Anyone can get high cholesterol, and it can be caused by many different things. Some things you can control like lifestyle habits, others you can’t. As long as you take care of the things you can control, you’ll help lower your risk.

Things that cause high cholesterol you can control:

  • Eating too much saturated fat
  • Not being active enough
  • Having too much body fat especially around your middle.

Smoking can lead to high cholesterol levels, and the build-up of tar it causes in your arteries makes it easier for cholesterol to stick to your artery walls.

If you are overweight or have diabetes, you are at greater risk of having high cholesterol”.10

Common or Not

How common is high cholesterol?

According to the CDC:

“About 38% of American adults have high cholesterol (total blood cholesterol ≥ 200 mg/dL). Too much cholesterol puts you at risk for heart disease and stroke, two leading causes of death in the United States”.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

CholesterolSources of Cholesterol

What are sources of cholesterol?

In Risk Factors: Cardiovascular Risk Factors – Modifiable Risk Factors: Blood Lipids (Fats) As A Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease the WHF explain:

“The human body makes cholesterol and we also consume it when we eat animals and animal derived food like milk and cheese. We can also make cholesterol from foods that do not contain cholesterol such as coconut fat, palm oil and trans fats, often used in foods such as french fries, cakes and cookies”.14

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”.15

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 Prevention and Treatment of High Cholesterol (Hyperlipidema): Know Your Numbers. And What To Do About Them. the AHA explain:

“The good news is, high cholesterol can be lowered, reducing risk of heart disease and stroke. If you’re 20 years or older, have your cholesterol tested and work with your doctor to adjust your cholesterol levels as needed”.16

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics 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

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  1. 6 Ways To Lower Your Cholesterol
  2. American Heart Month 2021: Feeling the Pressure? We Can Help American Heart Month 2021
  3. Blood Cholesterol
  4. Blood Cholesterol
  5. Blood Cholesterol: Causes
  6. Blood Cholesterol: Diagnosis
  7. Blood Cholesterol: Overview [+ Video: Learn About Blood Cholesterol
  8. Blood Cholesterol: Signs, Symptoms, and Complications
  9. Blood Cholesterol: Treatment
  10. Can Coenzyme Q10 Prevent Statin Side Effects?
  11. Causes of High Cholesterol
  12. Cholesterol
  13. Cholesterol
  14. Cholesterol Levels: What You Need To Know
  15. Cholesterol Management: For Patients [+ Video]
  16. Cholesterol Medications
  17. Cholesterol Myths and Facts
  18. Cholesterol Personal Stories
  19. Cholesterol and Heart Disease
  20. Cholesterol-Lowering Supplements May Be Helpful
  21. Cholesterol: About Cholesterol
  22. Cholesterol: About Cholesterol – Getting Your Cholesterol Checked
  23. Cholesterol: About Cholesterol – LDL and HDL: “Bad” and “Good” Cholesterol
  24. Cholesterol: About High Cholesterol
  25. Cholesterol: Know the Terms
  26. Cholesterol: Knowing Your Risk: High Cholesterol
  27. Cholesterol: Preventing High Cholesterol – Make Healthy Eating Choices
  28. Cholesterol: Preventing and Managing High Cholesterol
  29. Cholesterol: Top Foods To Improve Your Numbers
  30. Common Misconceptions About Cholesterol
  31. Consumer Health: What Are Triglycerides and Why Do They Matter?
  32. Control Your Cholesterol
  33. Controlling Cholesterol With Statins
  34. Doctors Should ‘Prescribe’ Exercise for Adults With Slightly High Blood Pressure, Cholesterol
  35. Eat Well – Fat: The Facts
  36. Eat Well – How To Eat Less Saturated Fat
  37. Eggs: Are They Good or Bad for My Cholesterol?
  38. Facts About Heart Disease In Women
  39. Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH)
  40. Fats Explained
  41. Fats, Oils and Heart Health
  42. Fitness
  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 Active
  47. Goredforwomen.org [Go Red for Women, United States]
  48. HDL (Good), LDL (Bad) Cholesterol and Triglycerides
  49. Healthy Body: Lower Your Cholesterol
  50. Healthy Eating
  51. Healthy Living
  52. Heart Doctor Explains Cholesterol Levels
  53. Heart UK: The Cholesterol Charity
  54. High Cholesterol
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  56. High Cholesterol Treatment: Does Cinnamon Lower Cholesterol?
  57. High Cholesterol – Causes, Symptoms & Treatments: What Should My Cholesterol Level Be? [+ Video]
  58. High Cholesterol: Diagnosis & Treatment
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  61. How To Make Healthy Food and Healthy Lifestyle Choices Now
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  63. Know Your Numbers
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  66. Know Your Risks
  67. Knowdiabetesbyheart.org [KnowDiabetesByHeart]
  68. Knowing Your Risk for High Cholesterol
  69. LDL and HDL Cholesterol: “Bad” and “Good” Cholesterol
  70. Making Sense of Cholesterol – The Good, The Bad and The Dietary
  71. Mayo Clinic Minute: How Cholesterol Affects Your Heart [+ Video]
  72. Mayo Clinic Minute: Statins Plus Lifestyle Equals Healthy Life [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  73. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Managing High Cholesterol With Lifestyle Changes
  74. Cholesterol Mayo Clinic Q and A: Medications for High Cholesterol
  75. Menopause and Heart Disease
  76. Monounsaturated and Polyunsaturated (Omega-3 and Omega-6) Fats
  77. My Life Check | Life’s Simple 7
  78. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: 5 Tips: What You Should Know About High Blood Cholesterol
  79. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Cholesterol Management At A Glance
  80. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Coenzyme Q10
  81. New Guidelines: Cholesterol Should Be on Everyone’s Radar, Beginning Early In Life
  82. Prevention and Treatment of High Cholesterol (Hyperlipidemia): My Cholesterol Guide
  83. Prevention and Treatment of High Cholesterol (Hyperlipidemia): Know Your Numbers and What to Do About Them – Losing Weight [+ Video: How To Manage High Cholesterol]
  84. Questions About Cholesterol? Here Are Some Answers
  85. Recipes [American Heart Association]
  86. Recipes [National Heart Foundation of Australia]
  87. Statin Choice Decision Aid
  88. Statins
  89. Statins
  90. Statins May Benefit More People
  91. Statins: Are These Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs Right for You?
  92. Statins: Common Questions Answered
  93. Statins: Should You Be on One?
  94. The Scoop on Statins: What Do You Need to Know?
  95. Top 5 Lifestyle Changes To Improve Cholesterol
  96. Triglycerides: Why Do They Matter?
  97. Video Series-2021 – How Clinicians Determine Which Women May Benefit From Statin Therapy
  98. Watch, Learn and Live: Cholesterol
  99. What Is Cholesterol? Why Cholesterol Matters [+ Video: What Is Cholesterol?]
  100. What Your Cholesterol Levels Mean

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Cholesterol. Page Last Reviewed: 08 September 2020. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/index.htm Accessed: 14 April 2021
  2. Risk Factors: Cardiovascular Risk Factors – Modifiable Risk Factors: Blood Lipids (Fats) As A Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease. 30 May 2017. World Heart Foundation https://www.world-heart-federation.org/resources/risk-factors/ Accessed: 14 April 2021
  3. Blood Cholesterol. National Heart Foundation of Australia https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/Heart-health-education/High-blood-cholesterol Accessed: 14 April 2021
  4. High Cholesterol – Causes, Symptoms & Treatments: What Are the Types of Cholesterol? British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/risk-factors/high-cholesterol Accessed: 14 April 2021
  5. High Cholesterol – Causes, Symptoms & Treatments: What Are the Types of Cholesterol? British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/risk-factors/high-cholesterol Accessed: 14 April 2021
  6. High Cholesterol – Causes, Symptoms & Treatments: What Are the Types of Cholesterol? British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/risk-factors/high-cholesterol Accessed: 14 April 2021
  7. Blood Cholesterol: Types of Cholesterol – Cholesterol and Triglycerides. National Heart Foundation of Australia https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/your-heart/know-your-risks/blood-cholesterol Accessed: 14 April 2021
  8. High Cholesterol – Causes, Symptoms & Treatments: What Is High Cholesterol? British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/risk-factors/high-cholesterol Accessed: 14 April 2021
  9. Cholesterol. Page Last Reviewed: 08 September 2020. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/index.htm Accessed: 14 April 2021
  10. High Cholesterol – Causes, Symptoms & Treatments: What Causes High Cholesterol? British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/risk-factors/high-cholesterol Accessed: 14 April 2021
  11. Cholesterol. Page Last Reviewed: 08 September 2020. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/index.htm Accessed: 14 April 2021
  12. What Is Cholesterol? Why Cholesterol Matters. Last Reviewed 06 November 2020. American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/about-cholesterol Accessed: 14 April 2021
  13. Prevention and Treatment of High Cholesterol (Hyperlipidemia). Know Your Numbers. And What To Do About Them. Last Reviewed: 11 November 2020. American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/PreventionTreatmentofHighCholesterol/Prevention-and-Treatment-of-High-Cholesterol_UCM_001215_Article.jsp Accessed: 14 April 2021
  14. Risk Factors: Cardiovascular Risk Factors – Modifiable Risk Factors: Blood Lipids (Fats) As A Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease. 30 May 2017. World Heart Foundation https://www.world-heart-federation.org/resources/risk-factors/ Accessed: 14 April 2021
  15. 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: 14 April 2021
  16. Prevention and Treatment of High Cholesterol (Hyperlipidemia). Know Your Numbers. And What To Do About Them. Last Reviewed: 11 November 2020. American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/PreventionTreatmentofHighCholesterol/Prevention-and-Treatment-of-High-Cholesterol_UCM_001215_Article.jsp Accessed: 14 April 2021

Topic Last Updated: 04 June 2021 – Topic Last Reviewed: 14 April 2021
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