Cholesterol is a type of lipid. It's a waxy, fat-like substance that your liver produces naturally. It's vital for the formation of cell membranes, certain hormones, and vitamin D. Cholesterol doesn't dissolve in water, so it can't travel through your blood on its own. To help transport cholesterol, your liver produces lipoproteins. Lipoproteins are particles made from fat and protein.

They carry cholesterol and triglycerides (another type of lipid) through your bloodstream. The two major forms of lipoprotein are low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). If your blood contains too much LDL cholesterol (cholesterol carried by low-density lipoprotein), it's known as HIGH CHOLESTEROL.

When left untreated, high cholesterol can lead to many health problems, including heart attack or stroke. High cholesterol typically causes no symptoms. That's why it's important to get your cholesterol levels checked on a regular basis.

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is often called Bad Cholesterol.” It carries cholesterol to your arteries. If your levels of LDL cholesterol are too high, it can build up on the walls of your arteries.

The buildup is also known as cholesterol plaque. This plaque can narrow your arteries, limit your blood flow, and raise your risk of blood clots. If a blood clot blocks an artery in your heart or brain, it can cause a heart attack or stroke.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is sometimes called Good cholesterol. It helps return LDL cholesterol to your liver to be removed from your body. This helps prevent cholesterol plaque from building up in your arteries.

Triglycerides are fats in your blood that have been converted from calories your body doesn't need right away. You'll want lower triglycerides, as high levels can increase your Cardiovascular disease - CVD risk.

Total cholesterol is calculated using your HDL score + LDL score + 20% of your triglycerides score. You also want this to be lower, but it can't be interpreted without your other scores.

When you have healthy levels of HDL cholesterol, it can help lower your risk of blood clots, heart disease, and stroke.

Cholesterol Levels Chart

Causes of High Cholesterol

Your liver produces cholesterol, but you also get cholesterol from food. Eating too many foods that are high in fat can increase your cholesterol level.

Being overweight and inactive also causes high cholesterol. If you are overweight, you most likely have a higher level of triglycerides. If you never exercise and aren’t active in general, it can lower your HDL (good cholesterol).

You family history also affects your cholesterol level. Research has shown that high cholesterol tends to run in families. If you have an immediate family member who has it, you could have it, too. Smoking also causes high cholesterol. It lowers your HDL (good cholesterol).

Symptoms of High Cholesterol

In most cases, high cholesterol is a “silent” problem. It typically doesn’t cause any symptoms. Many people don’t even realize they have high cholesterol until they develop serious complications, such as a heart attack or stroke.

That’s why routine cholesterol screening is important. If you’re age 20 years or older, ask your doctor if you should have routine cholesterol screening.

Dietary cholesterol is found in animal products, such as meat, eggs, and dairy. To help treat high cholesterol, your doctor may encourage you to limit your intake of high-cholesterol foods.

For example, the following products contain high levels of cholesterol: