Cholesterol

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

Good Cholesterol

What is good cholesterol or high-density lipoproteins (HDL)?

DotS the definition of HDL may vary. In High Cholesterol – Symptoms, Causes & Levels: Cholesterol Explained – What Is ‘Good’ and ‘Bad’ Cholesterol? the British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) definition is:

“High-density lipoproteins (HDL) or ‘good’ cholesterol takes cholesterol that you do not need back to your liver. The liver breaks it down and it’s passed out of your body. It helps get rid of bad cholesterol from your blood”.4

Bad Cholesterol

What is bad cholesterol or non-high density liproteins (non-HDL)?

DotS the definition of non-HDL may vary. In High Cholesterol – Symptoms, Causes & Levels: Cholesterol Explained – What Is ‘Good’ and ‘Bad’ Cholesterol? the BHF’s definition is:

“Non-high density lipoproteins (non-HDL) or ‘bad’ cholesterol takes cholesterol from your liver to cells around your body. If you have too much it gets stuck to the walls of your arteries and can lead to a heart attack or stroke. This is mostly made up of LDL cholesterol, which is a type of bad cholesterol”.5

Triglycerides

What are triglycerides?

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

“riglycerides 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”.6

High Cholesterol

Why is high cholesterol bad for you?

In Blood Cholesterol: What Is Blood Cholesterol? Why Is High Cholesterol Bad for You? the NHFA elaborate on:

“If you have high cholesterol, you can develop fatty deposits in your blood vessels. This makes it difficult for blood to flow through the arteries. If these deposits break apart, they can form a clot that leads to a heart attack or stroke”.7

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”.8

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”…9

Common or Not

How common is high cholesterol?

According to the CDC:

“Millions of people in the United States have high cholesterol.10

Heart Disease, Heart Attack and StrokeCholesterol

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

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

“Cholesterol travels through your blood, and when levels increase, your risk of heart disease and stroke can go up. Getting your cholesterol tested helps you understand your levels and protect your heart health”.11

Prevention

How may high cholesterol be prevented?

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

  • “Eating a heart-healthy diet…
  • Getting regular physically activity…
  • Quitting smoking…
  • Reaching or maintaining a healthy weight
  • Getting 7-9 hours per day of restful sleep…”.12

Know Your Numbers

How important is it to know your numbers?

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

“It is vital for all women to understand their personal risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Knowing your risk starts with knowing four important health numbers — total cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, and body mass index. Having these numbers in check and at healthy levels can reduce your risk for heart disease and stroke.

Talk to your health care provider today about your numbers, what they mean, and how you can manage them. Your heart and well-being depend on it”.13

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”.14

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

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  47. Goredforwomen.org [Go Red for Women, United States]
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  49. Goredforwomen.org [Go Red for Women, United States]
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  73. Know Your Numbers
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  77. Mayo Clinic Minute: Best Cooking Fats for Healthy Cholesterol Levels [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  78. Mayo Clinic Minute: What High Triglycerides Mean and Why It Matters To Your Heart [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
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  99. You Can Prevent Heart Disease. Yes, YOU
    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: 21 June 2026
  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: 21 June 2026
  3. Blood Cholesterol: What Is Blood Cholesterol? Last Updated: 12 May 2026. Last Reviewed: 19 November 2024. National Heart Foundation of Australia https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/your-heart/high-blood-cholesterol Accessed: 21 June 2026
  4. High Cholesterol – Symptoms, Causes & Levels: Cholesterol Explained – What Is ‘Good’ and ‘Bad’ Cholesterol? Page Updated: 16 January 2026. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/risk-factors/high-cholesterol Accessed: 21 June 2026
  5. High Cholesterol – Symptoms, Causes & Levels: Cholesterol Explained – What Is ‘Good’ and ‘Bad’ Cholesterol? Page Last Updated: 16 January 2026. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/risk-factors/high-cholesterol Accessed: 21 June 2026
  6. Blood Cholesterol: What Is Blood Cholesterol? Cholesterol and Triglycerides. Last Updated: 12 May 2026. Last Reviewed: 19 November 2024. National Heart Foundation of Australia https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/your-heart/high-blood-cholesterol Accessed: 21 June 2026
  7. Blood Cholesterol: What Is Blood Cholesterol? Why Is High Cholesterol Bad for You? Last Updated: 12 May 2026. Last Reviewed: 19 November 2024. National Heart Foundation of Australia https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/your-heart/high-blood-cholesterol Accessed: 21 June 2026
  8. 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: 21 June 2026
  9. 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: 21 June 2026
  10. Cholesterol: About Cholesterol – Key Facts. 15 May 2024. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/about/index.html Accessed: 21 June 2026
  11. What Is Cholesterol? Why Does Cholesterol Matter. Last Reviewed 13 March 2026. American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/about-cholesterol Accessed: 21 June 2026
  12. Prevention and Treatment of High Cholesterol (Hyperlipidemia). Know Your Levels – and What To Do About Them. Last Reviewed: 16 March 2026. American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/PreventionTreatmentofHighCholesterol/Prevention-and-Treatment-of-High-Cholesterol_UCM_001215_Article.jsp Accessed: 21 June 2026
  13. Know Your Numbers It Could Just Save Your Life. Go Red for Women https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/know-your-risk/know-your-numbers Accessed: 27 September 2025
  14. 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: 21 June 2026
Topic Last Updated: 21 June 2026 – Topic Last Reviewed: 21 June 2026

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