Cholesterol is a fat-like substance made in the liver that aids with critical functions like hormone production and digesting fat. But according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly two in five adults in the U.S. have excessive cholesterol levels, which can increase the risk for cardiovascular disease and other health complications.
1. There are two kinds of cholesterol: the "good" high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and "bad" low-density lipoprotein (LDL). High blood cholesterol usually means too much LDL and not enough HDL.
2. LDL cholesterol, the bad kind, can accumulate in the arteries and narrow the space through which blood can flow. HDL, the good kind, takes LDL cholesterol to the liver to be flushed from the body, and may help prevent heart attacks or strokes.
3. The only way to know for sure whether you have high cholesterol is to take a blood test. High LDL cholesterol usually has no symptoms, though people with high cholesterol often have high blood pressure as well. A simple blood test called a lipid panel can measure your lipid levels, and your health care provider can interpret the results according to your age, sex, and health history.
4. Lifestyle factors and your genes can both contribute to high cholesterol. Smoking, stress, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of exercise, and an incomplete or poor diet can all affect your blood cholesterol.
5. Many people can lower their LDL cholesterol and raise their HDL cholesterol with long-term diet and lifestyle changes. Medications may also help. Most physicians recommend a class of drugs called statins as the first-line medication therapy for high cholesterol.
