High Cholesterol

Key Points

• Too much fatty substance in your blood
• Increases risk of heart problems and stroke
• Usually has no symptoms
• Diagnosed with a simple blood test
• Managed with lifestyle changes and sometimes medicine

Overview

High cholesterol occurs when there's an excessive amount of a fatty substance called cholesterol in your bloodstream. While some cholesterol is essential for healthy cells, too much can lead to serious health issues. This excess cholesterol can build up in your blood vessels, causing them to narrow and harden. This process makes it harder for blood to flow through, significantly increasing your risk of developing heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes. High cholesterol often doesn't present with any noticeable symptoms, earning it the nickname 'silent killer.' It is typically discovered through a routine blood test and can often be managed through healthy eating, regular exercise, and in some cases, medication.

Signs and Symptoms

• No usual symptoms
• Often called a 'silent' condition
• Detected only through a blood test

Things That Increase the Risk

• Being over 50 years old
• Being a man
• Having gone through menopause
• South Asian or sub-Saharan African origin
• Family history of high cholesterol
• Eating fatty foods
• Not exercising enough
• Being overweight
• Smoking
• Drinking alcohol

Diagnosis

• Blood test

Treatment & Management

• Eating healthily
• Getting more exercise
• Taking prescribed medicine (for some individuals)

Prevention

• Eat a balanced, healthy diet
• Engage in regular physical activity
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Stop smoking
• Limit alcohol consumption

Related Diseases

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Coronary artery disease
• Peripheral artery disease
• Familial hypercholesterolaemia

Available Treatments

Explore our range of treatment options for High Cholesterol: