High cholesterol is excess levels of cholesterol in the blood. Cholesterol in the blood consists of three main components:
Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL) – involved in depositing cholesterol and other fats throughout the body. High levels of LDL put you at risk for hardening of the arteries and heart disease.
High Density Lipoproteins (HDL) – involved in eliminating cholesterol and other fats from the body. High levels of HDL are protective against heart disease.
Triglycerides – a common form of fat in the body
Causes
Causes of high cholesterol include:
Risk Factors
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. Risk factors for high cholesterol include:
Symptoms
High cholesterol rarely causes symptoms.
Eventually, symptoms may include:
Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. High cholesterol is diagnosed through tests that measure levels of the following factors in your blood:
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Total cholesterol
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HDL cholesterol
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LDL cholesterol
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Triglycerides
Treatment
Treatment may include:
Lifestyle Changes
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Limit the amount of fat and cholesterol you eat.
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Eat a diet high in fiber.
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Begin a safe exercise program recommended by your doctor.
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Increase physical activity in your daily life, as recommended by your doctor.
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If you smoke, quit.
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If you are overweight, lose weight.
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Limit the amount of alcohol you drink. Moderate alcohol intake is no more than two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women.
Cholesterol-lowering Medication
If diet and exercise don't lower your blood cholesterol in a reasonable period of time, you may need cholesterol-lowering medication. A partial list of medications includes:
Prevention
To reduce your chance of having high cholesterol:
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Eat a healthful diet, one that is low in saturated fat and rich in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
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Exercise regularly.
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Maintain a healthy weight.
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Don't smoke. If you smoke, quit.
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Drink alcohol in moderation.
RESOURCES:
American Heart Association
http://www.americanheart.org
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
http://ww2.heartandstroke.ca/Page.asp?PageID=24
University of Ottawa Heart Institute
http://www.ottawaheart.ca/UOHI/Welcome.do
References:
American Heart Association website. Available at: http://www.americanheart.org.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov.
Primary Care Medicine. 4th ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000.
