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High Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like,
waxy substance found in the bloodstream and in all your
body's cells. It's normal to have cholesterol.
Cholesterol is an important part of a healthy body
because it's used for producing cell membranes and some
hormones, and serves other needed bodily functions. But
too much cholesterol in the blood is a major risk for
coronary heart disease (which leads to heart attack) and
for stroke. Hypercholesterolemia is the medical term for
high levels of blood cholesterol.
Too much cholesterol in the blood
can lead to heart disease and stroke — America’s No. 1
and
No. 3 killers. Even though there’s much you can
do to lower your cholesterol levels and
protect
yourself, half of American adults still have
levels that are too high (over 200 mg/dL).
You can
reduce cholesterol in your blood by eating healthful
foods, losing weight if you need
to and being
physically active. Some people also need to take
medicine because changing
their diet isn’t enough.
Your doctor and nurses will help you set up a plan for
reducing your
cholesterol — and keeping yourself healthy!
Most heart and blood vessel disease
is caused by a buildup of cholesterol, plaque and other
fatty deposits in artery walls. The arteries that feed
the heart can become so clogged that the blood flow is
reduced, causing chest pain. If a blood clot forms and
blocks the artery, a heart attack can
occur.
Similarly, if a blood clot blocks an artery leading to or in the brain, a stroke results.
Cholesterol can’t dissolve in the blood. It has to be
transported to and from the cells by carriers called
lipoproteins. Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, is known
as “bad” cholesterol. High-density lipoprotein, or HDL,
is known as “good” cholesterol. These two types of
lipids, along with triglycerides and Lp(a) cholesterol,
make up your total cholesterol count, which can be
determined through a blood
test.
LDL (Bad) Cholesterol
When too much LDL
(bad) cholesterol circulates in the blood, it can slowly
build up in the inner walls of the arteries that feed
the heart and brain. Together with other
substances, it can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit
that can narrow the arteries and make them less
flexible. This condition is known as atherosclerosis.
If a clot forms and blocks a narrowed artery, heart
attack or stroke can result.
HDL (good) Cholesterol
About one-fourth to
one-third of blood cholesterol is carried by
high-density lipoprotein (HDL). HDL cholesterol is known
as “good” cholesterol, because high levels of HDL seem
to protect against heart attack. Low levels of HDL
(less than 40 mg/dL) also increase the risk of heart
disease. Medical experts think that HDL tends to
carry cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the
liver, where it's passed from the body. Some experts
believe that HDL removes excess
cholesterol from arterial plaque, slowing its
buildup.
What should I
eat?
Focus on low-saturated-fat,
trans fat-free, low-cholesterol foods such as
these:
• A variety of fruits and vegetables (choose 8
to 10 servings per day)
• A variety of grain products
like bread, cereal, rice and pasta, including whole
grains
(choose 6 or more servings per day)
•
Fat-free and low-fat milk products (2 to 3 servings per
day)
• Lean meats and poultry without skin (choose up
to 5 to 6 total ounces per day)
• Fatty fish (enjoy
at least 2 servings baked or grilled each week)
•
Beans and peas
• Nuts and seeds in limited amounts (4
to 5 servings per week)
• Unsaturated vegetable oils
like canola, corn, olive, safflower and soybean oils
(but a limited
amount of margarines and spreads made
from them)
What should I
limit?
• Whole milk, cream and ice
cream
• Butter, egg yolks and cheese — and foods made
with them
• Organ meats like liver, sweetbreads,
kidney and brain
• High-fat processed meats like
sausage, bologna, salami and hot dogs
Cholesterol Questions To Ask Your
Doctor
Many people have questions for
their doctors about tests, drug treatments, risk factors
and lifestyle changes. Below are examples of common
questions. For a printable version
to take to your doctor's office, click the link in
the right column of this page.
About Blood Cholesterol
- What do my cholesterol numbers mean?
- What is my cholesterol goal?
- How long will it take to reach my cholesterol
goals?
- How often should I have my levels checked?
- How does exercise affect my cholesterol levels?
- How does smoking affect my cholesterol levels?
- What type of foods should I eat?
- Do I need to lose weight, and if so, how
much?
- Will I need cholesterol-lowering medicine?
About Drug Treatment
- What kind of medicine should I take?
- Can I take the generic form of the medicine?
- What should I know about the medicine?
- What are the side effects?
- How do I know if it’s working?
- How can I remember when to take the medicine?
- What if I forget to take a medicine?
- Should I avoid any foods or other medicines?
- Can I drink alcohol?
- How long will I need to take my medicine?
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