High Cholesterol(Cholesterol, High; Hypercholesterolemia)
by
Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD DefinitionCholesterol is a type of fat in the blood. High cholesterol is when there is too much of this fat. Cholesterol is carried throughout the body by lipoproteins. There are 2 types:
High cholesterol increases your risk of stroke and heart disease. Causes TOPCauses of high cholesterol include:
Risk Factors TOPThe risk of high cholesterol increases with age. It is more common in men. It is also more common in women after menopause. Factors that may increase your risk of high cholesterol include:
Symptoms TOPHigh cholesterol does not usually cause symptoms. However, it can increase your risk of atherosclerosis. This can block the flow of blood with a fatty buildup known as plaque. Cholesterol deposits may also form in tendons, under the eyes, or in the eye. Other factors that may increase your risk include:
Some people with high cholesterol may also have cholesterol deposits in tendons, under the eyes, or in the eye.
Diagnosis TOPCholesterol screening is done as part of your regular exam. You will be asked about factors that may increase your risk of heart disease or stroke. A blood test will be done to measure fat levels in your blood. Tests may include:
Treatment TOPTalk to your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. You will need to decrease your LDL levels to lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. Options include: Diet ChangesYou will need to reduce fat in your diet to decrease your LDL levels. Talk to your doctor about the best diet for you. In general:
Lifestyle ChangesThings you do throughout the day can help you lower your cholesterol:
Treat and control any other medical conditions you have, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Prevention TOPTo help reduce your chances of high cholesterol, follow the lifestyle and diet changes above. Some cholesterol issues are due to genetics. These are harder to prevent. Many are linked to diet and lifestyle. Changes to these can help reduce your chances of high cholesterol. RESOURCES:American Heart Association http://www.heart.org National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov CANADIAN RESOURCES:Dietitians of Canada https://www.dietitians.ca Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada http://www.heartandstroke.ca References:Cholesterol. American Heart Association website. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Accessed March 26, 2018. High blood cholesterol. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
website. Available at:
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/high-blood-cholesterol. Accessed March 26, 2018.
Hypercholesterolemia. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at:
http://www.dynamed...
. Updated March 5, 2018. Accessed March 26, 2018.
12/14/2009 DynaMed Plus Systematic Literature Surveillance
http://www.dynamed...
: Ferdowsian HR, Barnard ND. Effects of plant-based diets on plasma lipids.
Am J Cardiol. 2009;104(7):947-956.
8/27/2013 DynaMed Plus Systematic Literature Surveillance
http://www.dynamed...
: Hartley L, Flowers N, Holmes J, et al. Green and black tea for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;6:CD009934.
Last reviewed March 2018 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
Marcin Chwistek, MD Last Updated: 4/4/2018 |
|
EBSCO Information Services is fully accredited by URAC. URAC is an independent, nonprofit health care accrediting organization dedicated to promoting health care quality through accreditation, certification and commendation. This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition. To send comments or feedback to our Editorial Team regarding the content please email us at healthlibrarysupport@ebsco.com. Our Health Library Support team will respond to your email request within 2 business days. |