When our diet is too high in fat, levels of bad cholesterol rise, and fatty deposits may form in our arteries. This buildup can lead to a number of serious health conditions, such as stroke, heart disease and heart attack.
You are at risk of high cholesterol if you have high blood pressure, you smoke or are overweight.
The symptoms of high cholesterol aren’t always noticeable, so getting regular blood tests, particularly if you are at higher risk, is important to prevent the complications associated with high cholesterol.
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a fatty substance made by your liver. It is carried around the body by something called lipoproteins, and is used to form vitamin D, cell membranes and certain hormones.
There are two types of lipoproteins – a ‘bad’ one and a ‘good’ one. Bad lipoproteins are called low-density lipoproteins (LDL) or bad cholesterol. They can build up in our arteries and cause a stroke or heart attack. Levels of LDL cholesterol rise when you eat a fatty diet.
The good ones are called high-density lipoproteins (HDL) or good cholesterol. These help to transport LDL back to the liver where it is eliminated.
If LDL cholesterol levels are too high, or HDL cholesterol levels are too low, then fatty deposits can form in your blood vessels which turn into plaques. The buildup of fatty plaques restricts the flow of blood and can cause many serious health conditions.
Symptoms of high cholesterol
Unfortunately, the symptoms of high cholesterol aren’t noticeable. The first sign is often an emergency medical event like a stroke or heart attack.
The only way to know if you have high cholesterol is via a blood test. You should have a cholesterol test regularly throughout adulthood. If you have a family history of high cholesterol, you are overweight, you smoke, or you have high blood pressure, then you are at an increased risk of high cholesterol and should be tested more regularly.
How is high cholesterol diagnosed?
High cholesterol is diagnosed via a simple blood test called a lipid profile. This measures levels of LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. Ideal levels of each are:
- HDL cholesterol: 40 mg/dL or above
- LDL cholesterol: 100 mg/dL or below
- Total blood cholesterol: 200 mg/dL or below
- Triglycerides: 150 mg/dL or below.
High cholesterol is classified as having a total cholesterol level over 200 mg/dL.
How can I lower cholesterol?
Sometimes, making healthier lifestyle choices such as eating less saturated fat, can reduce cholesterol. For others, medication is needed in addition to lifestyle changes.
If you have a medical condition that is affecting your cholesterol, then your doctor will discuss the best way to manage it.
Lowering cholesterol can take time. Most of your body’s cholesterol is produced by your liver, so other factors will influence your cholesterol level, in addition to your diet. If you are struggling, talk to your doctor about other options that may help to reduce your cholesterol level.
Remember, symptoms of high cholesterol aren’t noticeable, so following a healthy lifestyle and having regular blood cholesterol tests is very important, particularly if you are at high risk.