HIGH CHOLESTEROL
What is cholesterol? — Cholesterol is a substance that is found in the blood. Everyone has some. It is needed for good health. The problem is, people sometimes have too much cholesterol. Compared with people with normal cholesterol, people with high cholesterol have a higher risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other health problems. The higher your cholesterol, the higher your risk of these problems.
Are there different types of cholesterol? — Yes, there are a few different types. If you get a cholesterol test, you may hear your doctor or nurse talk about:
Total cholesterol
LDL cholesterol – Some people call this the “bad” cholesterol. That's because having high LDL levels raises your risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other health problems.
HDL cholesterol – Some people call this the “good” cholesterol. That's because having high HDL levels lowers your risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other health problems.
Non-HDL cholesterol - Non-HDL cholesterol is your total cholesterol minus your HDL cholesterol.
Triglycerides – Triglycerides are not cholesterol. They are a type of fat. But they often get measured when cholesterol is measured. (Having high triglycerides also seems to increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.)
What should my numbers be? — Ask your doctor or nurse what your numbers should be. Different people need different goals. In general, people who do not already have heart disease should aim for:
Total cholesterol below 200
LDL cholesterol below 130 – or much lower, if they are at risk of heart attacks or strokes
HDL cholesterol above 60
Non-HDL cholesterol below 160 – or lower, if they are at risk of heart attacks or strokes
Triglycerides below 150
Keep in mind, though, that many people who cannot meet these goals still have a low risk of heart attacks and strokes.
What should I do if my doctor tells me I have high cholesterol? — Ask your doctor what youroverall risk of heart attacks and strokes is. High cholesterol, by itself, is not always a reason to worry. Having high cholesterol is just one of many things that can increase your risk of heart attacks and strokes. Other factors that increase your risk include:
Cigarette smoking
High blood pressure
Having a parent, sister, or brother who got heart disease at a young age (Young, in this case, means younger than 55 for men and younger than 65 for women.)
Being a man (Women are at risk, too, but men have a higher risk.)
Older age
If you are at high risk of heart attacks and strokes, having high cholesterol is a problem. On the other hand, if you have are at low risk, having high cholesterol may not mean much.
Should I take medicine to lower cholesterol? — Not everyone who has high cholesterol needs medicines. Your doctor or nurse will decide if you need them based on your age, family history, and other health concerns.
You should probably take a cholesterol-lowering medicine called a statin if you:
Already had a heart attack or stroke
Have known heart disease
Have diabetes
Have a condition called peripheral artery disease, which makes it painful to walk, and happens when the arteries in your legs get clogged with fatty deposits
Have an abdominal aortic aneurysm, which is a widening of the main artery in the belly
Most people with any of the conditions listed above should take a statin no matter what their cholesterol level is. If your doctor or nurse puts you on a statin, stay on it. The medicine may not make you feel any different. But it can help prevent heart attacks, strokes, and death.
Can I lower my cholesterol without medicines? — Yes, you can lower your cholesterol some by:
Avoiding red meat, butter, fried foods, cheese, and other foods that have a lot of saturated fat
Losing weight (if you are overweight)
Being more active
Even if these steps do little to change your cholesterol, they can improve your health in many ways.
