Why cholesterol high

The benefit of lowering your cholesterol must outweigh any risks. Read more about how high cholesterol is treated. Many different factors can contribute to high blood cholesterol, including lifestyle factors like smoking, an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise, as well as having an underlying condition, such as high blood pressure or diabetes.

People with high blood pressure hypertension and diabetes often have high cholesterol. There are a number of factors associated with high cholesterol that can't be changed that increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Doctors refer to these as "fixed factors". If you have a fixed risk factor, or several fixed risk factors, it's even more important to look at your lifestyle and any underlying conditions you may have.

Familial hypercholesterolaemia is the medical term for high cholesterol that runs in families. It's caused by a gene alteration inherited from a parent, rather than an unhealthy lifestyle. People with familial hypercholesterolaemia have raised cholesterol from birth, which can lead to the early development of heart problems, such as atherosclerosis and CHD.

In the UK, familial hypercholesterolaemia is thought to affect about 1 in people, which means approximately , people are thought to be affected. Read more about the importance of early identification and diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolaemia.

A blood sample is taken that will be used to determine the amount of bad cholesterol low-density lipoprotein, or LDL , good cholesterol high-density lipoprotein, or HDL and other fatty substances triglycerides in your blood. You may be asked not to eat for hours before the cholesterol test, usually including when you're asleep at night. This ensures that all food is completely digested and won't affect the outcome of the test.

Your GP or practice nurse can carry out the cholesterol test and will take a blood sample, either using a needle and a syringe or by pricking your finger.

A newer type of test that measures non-high-density lipoprotein non-HDL is now sometimes used because it's thought to be a more accurate way of estimating cardiovascular disease CVD risk than LDL. It's also not necessary to fast before the test, so it is more convenient. After your cholesterol test, your GP or nurse will explain your results and calculate whether you have a high, moderate or low risk of developing heart disease or stroke cardiovascular disease within the next 10 years.

Based on your results, your GP or nurse will recommend steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing CVD. This may include advice about making lifestyle changes, such as eating more healthily — by increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acids, for example — and doing more exercise. Cholesterol-lowering medication, such as statins , may also be recommended.

Read more about treating high cholesterol. People with familial hypercholesterolaemia, or inherited high cholesterol, are at increased risk of developing CVD. In the UK, most of the , people thought to have the condition are undiagnosed and untreated.

As a result of the increased risk of developing CVD, it's very important that those with familial hypercholesterolaemia are diagnosed as early as possible and offered appropriate treatment. If you've been diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolaemia, you'll be referred for a specialist assessment, which may include DNA testing to confirm the diagnosis.

Appropriate treatment will be recommended and other members of your family who may be affected will also be tested. You'll be closely monitored, and should have a full review at least once a year to check how well your treatment is working and assess any symptoms you may have. Children at risk of familial hypercholesterolaemia will be tested by the time they reach 10 years of age. This is because any signs of CVD, such as thickening of the carotid artery wall, will be identifiable by this age.

The assessment will be carried out by a specialist with expertise in familial hypercholesterolaemia in children and young people. Early diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolaemia means it's possible to recommend lifestyle changes and other appropriate treatments to reduce the long-term problems associated with high cholesterol and improve long-term health.

For further information, see the NICE guidance about familial hypercholesterolaemia. If you've been diagnosed with high cholesterol, you'll be advised to make changes to your diet and increase your level of exercise. After a few months, if your cholesterol level hasn't dropped, you may be advised to take cholesterol-lowering medication.

Changing your diet, stopping smoking and exercising more will also help to prevent high cholesterol developing. Eating a healthy, balanced diet that's low in saturated fats can reduce your level of "bad cholesterol" LDL. This equates to no more than:. Many experts believe that the fats found in avocados and oily fish, such as mackerel, salmon and tuna, are good for you. These are known as omega-3 fatty acids and high doses can improve lower triglyceride levels in some people.

However, too much omega-3 fatty acids can contribute to obesity. For people with a high triglyceride level, at least two portions of oily fish a week is thought to be beneficial. However, there's no evidence that taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements has the same benefit. There are several different types of cholesterol-lowering medication that work in different ways. Your GP can advise you about the most suitable type of treatment, and may also prescribe medication to lower high blood pressure hypertension if it affects you.

Statins block the enzyme a type of chemical in your liver that helps to make cholesterol. This leads to a reduction in your blood cholesterol level. You'll usually be started on a medication called atorvastatin. Other statins include simvastatin and rosuvastatin. When someone has side effects from using a statin, it's described as having an "intolerance" to it. Side effects of statins include headaches , muscle pain and stomach problems, such as indigestion , diarrhoea or constipation.

Statins will only be prescribed to people who continue to be at high risk of heart disease, because they need to be taken for life. Cholesterol levels start to rise again once you stop taking them. In some cases, a low daily dose of aspirin may be prescribed, depending on your age usually over 40 years old and other risk factors.

Low-dose aspirin can help to prevent blood clots forming, particularly for someone who's had a heart attack , has established vascular disease, or a high risk of developing cardiovascular disease CVD. You may also be advised to have periodic blood tests to ensure your liver is functioning well.

Ezetimibe is a medication that blocks the absorption of cholesterol from food and bile juices in your intestines into your blood. These foods include salmon, herring, walnuts, and almonds. Some egg brands contain omega Exercise can be simple. Go for a walk. Take a yoga class. Ride your bike to work. You could even participate in a team sport. Aim to get 30 minutes of activity every day. If you have high cholesterol, you may need to make some lifestyle changes.

If you smoke, quit. Exercise regularly. Make sure to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fish. If you have high cholesterol, you are twice as likely to develop heart disease. That is why it is important to have your cholesterol levels checked, especially if you have a family history of heart disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Cholesterol. This article was contributed by: familydoctor. This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone.

Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject. Having a healthy heart is vital to your overall health. Two of the simplest yet most important ways to…. High cholesterol can start as early as childhood. Lowering your "bad" cholesterol can reduce your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. There are several medicines…. Visit The Symptom Checker.

Read More. Food Poisoning. Acute Bronchitis. Eustachian Tube Dysfunction. Bursitis of the Hip. Abnormal Uterine Bleeding. High Blood Pressure. Home Diseases and Conditions High Cholesterol. Table of Contents. Cholesterol-lowering Medicines. Lifestyle Changes to Improve Your Cholesterol. In , researchers noted that a new drug, ezetimibe, can significantly reduce the risk of a major cardiovascular event in people with a high risk of such events. Etezimibe reduces lipid levels by limiting the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine.

There is evidence that these drugs are effective at reducing cholesterol levels, especially when a person uses them with ezetimibe. If a person has already had a cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack, a doctor may recommend using ezetimibe as well as a statin. For those at very high risk, the guidelines also recommend adding a PCSK9 inhibitor. However, the guidelines also note that PCSK9 inhibitors are expensive, and insurance companies may not cover their cost. For this reason, this option is likely to be only for those with a very high risk.

A person should not stop taking a statin without speaking to a doctor, as they may increase their risk of cardiovascular problems. Randomized, controlled clinical trials have not produced enough evidence to support treatment to a specific target.

Guidelines published in consider this calculator and essential tool for assessing cholesterol levels and their risk. Read this article to find out the…. A cholesterol test is a blood test that can show whether a person needs to take action to reduce their cholesterol levels to lower their risk of…. Doctors advise people to limit their overall cholesterol but maximize levels of high-density lipoprotein HDL cholesterol.

Why is this, and it is…. There are two types of cholesterol. One is harmful, and builds up in the arteries, but the other can actually benefit the body. In this MNT Knowledge…. In this article, learn about the different kinds of cholesterol, what different factors affect cholesterol levels, and when to contact a doctor. What causes high cholesterol? Medically reviewed by Daniel Murrell, M. What is cholesterol? Causes of high cholesterol.

High cholesterol symptoms.