Over time, this plaque can narrow your arteries. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a serious condition. It can limit the flow of blood through your arteries. It also raises your risk of developing dangerous blood clots. High cholesterol can also create a bile imbalance, raising your risk of gallstones.

See the other ways that high cholesterol can impact your body. If you have high cholesterol, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes to help lower it. For instance, they may recommend changes to your diet, exercise habits, or other aspects of your daily routine.

If you smoke, they will likely advise you to quit. Your doctor may also prescribe medications or other treatments to help lower your cholesterol levels. In some cases, they may refer you to a specialist for more care.

To help you achieve and maintain healthy cholesterol levels, your doctor may recommend changes to your diet. Eating fish and other foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids may also help lower your LDL levels.

For example, salmon, mackerel, and herring are rich sources of omega-3s. Walnuts, almonds, ground flaxseeds, and avocados also contain omega-3s.

Statins are the most commonly prescribed medications for high cholesterol. They block your liver from producing more cholesterol. One example is a combination of ezetimibe and simvastatin Vytorin. Learn more about the drugs used to treat high cholesterol.

In some cases, you may be able to lower your cholesterol levels without taking medications. For example, it may be enough to eat a nutritious diet, exercise regularly, and avoid smoking tobacco products.

Some people also claim that certain herbal and nutritional supplements may help lower cholesterol levels. For instance, claims have been made about:. However, the level of evidence supporting these claims varies. More research is needed to learn if they can help treat this condition.

Always talk with your doctor before taking any herbal or nutritional supplements. However, lifestyle factors can be managed. In most cases, high cholesterol has no symptoms. But without treatment, high cholesterol can cause serious health issues.

The good news is that your doctor can help you manage this condition, and in many cases, can help you avoid complications. If they diagnose you with high cholesterol, ask them about your treatment options. Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and avoiding tobacco products may help you achieve and maintain healthy cholesterol levels.

It could also help lower your risk of complications from high cholesterol. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

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A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep? Since , new guidelines urged doctors to discuss with individuals the following factors that may increase risk:. Taking these factors into consideration will lead to a more personalized approach to the treatment and prevention of high cholesterol levels.

Following a nutritious, balanced diet is one way to help with moderate cholesterol levels. According to the American Heart Association , a person may wish to avoid foods containing saturated fats.

Examples include red meat , sausages, bacon , and organ meats such as kidney and liver. Stress may increase cholesterol levels. This can happen indirectly through adopting less healthy habits as a coping method.

There may also be a direct biological link. However, more research is necessary on this topic. Alcohol does not contain cholesterol. However, a high alcohol intake of over 30 grams g per day may have a negative effect on lipid or cholesterol profiles.

Researchers are still investigating the link between the two. A standard drink is any beverage containing 14 g of pure alcohol. Therefore, two standard drinks per day contain around 28 g.

Cholesterol levels typically increase with age. To reduce or manage cholesterol in the body, a person can get enough physical exercise and achieve and maintain a moderate weight. They can also choose foods that are lower in trans fats and highly processed foods.

A doctor may prescribe medication alongside lifestyle changes to help reduce cholesterol more quickly. Examples of high cholesterol medications include statins, bile acid sequestrants, niacin, fibrates, and injectable PCSK9 inhibitors.

Cholesterol is an essential substance that the body produces but which people also consume in foods such as meat, dairy, and poultry products. Some people have a family history of high cholesterol, and genetic factors may play a role. Eating a heart-healthy diet and exercising regularly are some lifestyle choices people can make to manage their cholesterol levels.

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Medical News Today. Health Conditions Health Products Discover Tools Connect. What causes high cholesterol? The general recommendations are:. A variety of things can affect cholesterol levels. These are some things you can do to lower your cholesterol levels:.

There are two main ways to lower your cholesterol :. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice.

Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. Cholesterol Levels: What You Need to Know.

What is cholesterol? How do you measure cholesterol levels? The test gives information about your: Total cholesterol - a measure of the total amount of cholesterol in your blood. It includes both low-density lipoprotein LDL cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein HDL cholesterol.

LDL bad cholesterol - the main source of cholesterol buildup and blockage in the arteries HDL good cholesterol - HDL helps remove cholesterol from your arteries Non-HDL - this number is your total cholesterol minus your HDL. Your non-HDL includes LDL and other types of cholesterol such as VLDL very-low-density lipoprotein.

Triglycerides - another form of fat in your blood that can raise your risk for heart disease, especially in women What do my cholesterol numbers mean?

How often should I get a cholesterol test? The general recommendations are: For people who are age 19 or younger : The first test should be between ages 9 to 11 Children should have the test again every 5 years Some children may have this test starting at age 2 if there is a family history of high blood cholesterol, heart attack, or stroke For people who are age 20 or older : Younger adults should have the test every 5 years Men ages 45 to 65 and women ages 55 to 65 should have it every 1 to 2 years What affects my cholesterol levels?

These are some things you can do to lower your cholesterol levels: Diet. Saturated fat and cholesterol in the food you eat make your blood cholesterol level rise.

Saturated fat is the main problem, but cholesterol in foods also matters. Reducing the amount of saturated fat in your diet helps lower your blood cholesterol level.

Foods that have high levels of saturated fats include some meats, dairy products, chocolate, baked goods, and deep-fried and processed foods. Being overweight is a risk factor for heart disease. It also tends to increase your cholesterol. Losing weight can help lower your LDL bad cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.

It also raises your HDL good cholesterol level. Physical Activity. Not being physically active is a risk factor for heart disease. Regular physical activity can help lower LDL bad cholesterol and raise HDL good cholesterol levels.

All adults age 20 or older should have their cholesterol and other traditional risk factors checked every four to six years. If certain factors put you at high risk, or if you already have heart disease, your doctor may ask you to check it more often. Work with your doctor to determine your risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke and create a plan to reduce your risk.

Learn how to get your cholesterol tested. Your total cholesterol and HDL good cholesterol are among numerous factors your doctor can use to predict your lifetime or year risk for a heart attack or stroke.

Your doctor will also consider other risk factors, such as age, family history, smoking status, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Lipid profile or lipid panel is a blood test that will give you results for your HDL good cholesterol, LDL bad cholesterol, triglycerides and total blood or serum cholesterol.

Watch an animation about cholesterol score. A healthy HDL-cholesterol level may protect against heart attack and stroke.

Your doctor will evaluate your HDL and other cholesterol levels and other factors to assess your risk for heart attack or stroke. People with high blood triglycerides usually also have lower levels of HDL. Genetic factors, Type 2 diabetes, smoking, being overweight and being sedentary can all lower HDL cholesterol.

Women tend to have higher levels of HDL cholesterol than men do, but this can change after menopause. Since LDL is the bad kind of cholesterol, a low LDL level is considered good for your heart health. LDL levels are one factor among many to consider when evaluating cardiovascular risk.

Talk to your doctor about your LDL cholesterol level as well as other factors that impact your cardiovascular health. A diet high in saturated and trans fat is unhealthy because it tends to raise LDL cholesterol levels.

What Does My LDL Number Mean? PDF Spanish PDF. Why Should I Know My LDL Cholesterol? Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in your body. They come from food, and your body also makes them. Normal triglyceride levels vary by age and sex.

People with high triglycerides often have a high total cholesterol level, including a high LDL bad cholesterol level and a low HDL good cholesterol level. Many people with metabolic syndrome or diabetes also have high triglyceride levels.

This part of your test results is a composite of different measurements. A cholesterol test is done to diagnose a lipid disorder. Different experts recommend different starting ages for adults.

It is important to work with your health care provider to set your cholesterol goals. Newer guidelines steer health care providers away from targeting specific levels of cholesterol. Instead, they recommend different treatments or medicines and doses depending on a person's history and risk factor profile.

These guidelines change from time to time as more information from research studies becomes available. Steps you can take to improve your cholesterol levels and to help prevent heart disease and a heart attack include:.

Your provider may want you to take medicine for your cholesterol if lifestyle changes do not work. This will depend on:.

There are several types of drugs to help lower blood cholesterol levels. The drugs work in different ways. Statins are one kind of drug that lowers cholesterol and has been proven to reduce the chance of heart disease.

Other drugs are available if your risk is high and statins do not lower your cholesterol levels enough. These include ezetimibe and PCSK9 inhibitors. High cholesterol levels can lead to hardening of the arteries, also called atherosclerosis.

This occurs when fat, cholesterol, and other substances build up in the walls of arteries and form hard structures called plaques. Over time, these plaques can block the arteries and cause heart disease, stroke, and other symptoms or problems throughout the body.

Disorders that are passed down through families often lead to higher cholesterol levels that are harder to control. Arnett DK, Blumenthal RS, Albert MA, et al.

PMID: Genest J, Mora S, Libby P. Lipoprotein disorders and cardiovascular disease. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli GF, Bhatt DL, Solomon SD, eds.

Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Grundy SM, Stone NJ, Bailey AL, et al. J Am Coll Cardiol. PMID: pubmed. Robinson JG.

Disorders of lipid metabolism. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. US Preventive Services Task Force final recommendation statement. Statin use for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in adults: preventive medication. Updated August 23, Accessed April 9, US Preventive Services Task Force; Bibbins-Domingo K, Grossman DC, Curry SJ, et al.

Screening for lipid disorders in children and adolescents: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission www. URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit.

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Genetic Conditions. Causes of High Cholesterol. How To Get Your Cholesterol Tested. Prevention and Treatment of High Cholesterol. Cholesterol Tools and Resources. Home Health Topics Cholesterol Causes of High Cholesterol.

Take a look at your lifestyle You can make lifestyle changes to improve your cholesterol numbers. Behaviors that can negatively affect your cholesterol levels include: Unhealthy diet Lack of physical activity Smoking or exposure to tobacco smoke Being overweight or obese How to prevent and treat high cholesterol.

Heredity can play a role Some people inherit genes from their mother, father or even grandparents that cause them to have too much cholesterol.

Make the changes worth making If you have high blood cholesterol, making lifestyle changes is a great first step to lower your risk of heart disease. Play without Auto-Play Play Video Text.

Last Reviewed: Nov 6, Cholesterol Resources My Cholesterol Guide Animation Library Questions to Ask Your Doctor PDF What Do My Cholesterol Levels Mean? PDF What Do My Cholesterol Levels Mean?

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Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. What is cholesterol? Cholesterol is important How cholesterol moves around the body How to check your cholesterol levels Safe blood cholesterol levels Risk factors for high cholesterol Effects of high cholesterol levels Foods that contain cholesterol Dietary tips to avoid cholesterol How to avoid saturated fats Foods that may lower cholesterol levels Lifestyle tips to cut cholesterol Medication may be needed for high cholesterol Where to get help.

Cholesterol is a type of fat that is part of all animal cells. Cholesterol is important Cholesterol is produced by the liver and also made by most cells in the body. We need a small amount of blood cholesterol because the body uses it to: build the structure of cell membranes make hormones like oestrogen, testosterone and adrenal hormones help your metabolism work efficiently, for example, cholesterol is essential for your body to produce vitamin D produce bile acids, which help the body digest fat and absorb important nutrients.

How cholesterol moves around the body Cholesterol is a waxy fat-like substance. It is carried around the body by 2 key transport systems in the blood, which include: Low-density lipoprotein LDL cholesterol — carries most of the cholesterol that is delivered to cells.

How to check your cholesterol levels Your doctor can check your cholesterol levels through a blood test. The blood test measures: total cholesterol HDL cholesterol LDL cholesterol triglycerides , another type of fat in the blood.

There are no symptoms for high cholesterol. Safe blood cholesterol levels Many factors influence your cholesterol levels. Total cholesterol levels should be lower than 5. Risk factors for high cholesterol There is no single cause of high cholesterol, but there are some controllable risk factors smoking and non-controllable risk factors age.

Risk factors for high cholesterol include: age smoking lack of physical activity overweight or obesity family history unhealthy diet. Effects of high cholesterol levels The liver is the main processing centre for cholesterol and dietary fat.

Foods that contain cholesterol Research has shown that cholesterol in food has a neutral relationship with blood cholesterol levels. Dietary tips to avoid cholesterol Following a healthy diet and lifestyle can help to lower your cholesterol levels over time, including: Increase the amount and variety of fresh fruit, vegetables and wholegrain foods you have each day.

People with high cholesterol should choose reduced fat varieties. Choose a variety of healthy proteins such as lean meat, chicken , seafood, legumes, nuts and seeds.

Also limit red meat to one to 3 times per week. Eat oily fish such as salmon, sardines and mackerel at least twice a week. Incorporate healthy fat choices such as nuts, seeds, avocados, olives and oils for cooking. Use herbs and spices to flavour meals, instead of salt.

How to avoid saturated fats To assist with lowering cholesterol levels, reducing foods high in saturated fats can help. Try to minimise intake of: fatty meats processed meats like salami and sausages snack foods like chips most takeaway foods, especially deep-fried foods cakes, biscuits and pastries.

Foods that may lower cholesterol levels LDL cholesterol can be lowered by polyunsaturated oil for example, sunflower or safflower oil.

Plant sterols can lower cholesterol levels Plant sterols can lower cholesterol levels and are found naturally in plant foods including sunflower and canola seeds, vegetable oils and in smaller amounts in nuts, legumes, cereals, fruit and vegetables.

Lifestyle tips to cut cholesterol Changing some of your lifestyle habits may also help to reduce your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Suggestions include: Stop alcohol consumption or reduce your alcohol intake to no more than one or 2 drinks a day. Avoid binge drinking.

This may help lower your triglyceride levels. Smoking increases the ability of LDL cholesterol to get into artery cells and cause damage. Exercise regularly for example, at least 30 minutes of brisk walking daily. Exercise increases HDL levels while reducing LDL and triglyceride levels in the body.

Reduce excess body fat. Being overweight may contribute to raised blood triglyceride and LDL levels. Manage your blood sugar levels within your target range if you have diabetes. Medication may be needed for high cholesterol For some people, diet and lifestyle changes are not enough to lower cholesterol.

Statins are the most common medication used to lower blood cholesterol. If statins do not lower your cholesterol enough, you may need additional medicines.