Highcholesterolcan increase your risk of having a stroke. This waxy substance contributes to the buildup of deposits, known asplaques, within blood vessels.Plaques can accumulate in the coronary arteries, which supply oxygen to the heart, and in the carotid arteries, which supply oxygen to the brain. A stroke occurs when a blockage prevents blood from reaching the brain.
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This article explores the role of cholesterol in stroke and how you can reduce your risk of having a stroke.
Can High Cholesterol Cause a Stroke?
The connection between cholesterol and stroke is complicated because their relationship varies based on the type of stroke and the type of cholesterol involved.
Types of Stroke
Types of Cholesterol
Another significant factor: Not all cholesterol is the same. Different types of cholesterol can have very different effects on the body.
When a plaque ruptures, pieces of the plaque break free and are carried away in the bloodstream, where they may lodge in the arteries that supply oxygen to the brain. The ruptured plaque can trigger the blood to clot, which further increases the risk of blocked blood flow.
What Causes High Cholesterol?
What Are Cholesterol Levels?
Your healthcare provider can measure your cholesterol levels with standard lipid blood tests. These tests can tell you how much of each type of cholesterol you have in your blood, as well as your total cholesterol. Low, average, and high numbers are as follows:
Because HDL is considered “good” cholesterol, optimal ranges are higher and concerning ranges are lower.
Current guidelines set similar cholesterol goals for reducing the risk ofstrokeand the risk of coronary heart disease. These guidelines generally recommend that people without existing heart disease who do not smoke and have no other heart disease risk factors (such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, family history of heart disease) should maintain a total cholesterol level of less than 240 mg/dL, with LDL below 130 mg/dL and HDL above 40 mg/dL.
People with cardiovascular risk factors are advised to aim for even better cholesterol levels to better protect against heart disease and stroke. These individuals should maintain a total cholesterol level below 200 mg/dL, with LDL below 100 mg/dL, and HDL above 60 mg/dL.
What Increases Your Risk of Stroke?
High cholesterol is just one of a few things that can increase your risk of having a stroke. Other risk factors include:
How to Lower High Cholesterol to Reduce Stroke Risk
There are a number of changes you can make to your lifestyle than can help reduce your cholesterol levels and your risk of stroke. These include:
Change Your Diet
Eating a healthy diet is one of the best ways to reduce high cholesterol and lower your risk of stroke.Choose healthier fats and limit your intake of total fat and saturated fat. Avoid foods that are high in cholesterol.
Eat foods that are high in fiber and increase your intake of fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based foods such as whole grains, beans, and legumes. Eating fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids can help raise your HDL levels. Avoid foods that are high in sodium and limit your consumption of alcohol.
Exercise Regularly
Exercise can help improve your cholesterol levels.Talk to your healthcare provider about starting an exercise program. Ideally, you should be getting 150 minutes of moderate physical activity a week, or 75 minutes if your activities are more vigorous.
Quit Smoking
Studies have found that smokers have higher LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and lower HDL levels. There is evidence that quitting smoking can help improve your blood cholesterol levels.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight can help you keep your cholesterol levels in check. If you are overweight or obese, talk to your healthcare provider about starting a diet and exercise program.
Cholesterol-Lowering Medications and Stroke Risk
Medications used to lower cholesterol levels—in particular, the class of drugs known asstatins—have been shown to lower the risk of having a stroke and may reduce the severity of a stroke, if one occurs.By reducing levels of LDL, statins and other cholesterol-lowering drugs help prevent plaque formation, which prevents stroke and heart disease.
In fact, statins have even been shown to reduce stroke risk in patients with normal cholesterol levels.
Statins can:
Studies of specific statins have shown even more striking results. Several studies have found that while statins offer a general reduction in stroke risk, the greatest benefit is seen in those who have not had a prior stroke.Though statins confer benefits to those who have already had at least one stroke or mini-stroke, the impact is weaker.
Summary
High cholesterol can increase your risk of having a stroke. Lipid blood tests can tell you if your blood contains too much LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and total cholesterol. HDL cholesterol is considered “good” cholesterol; your blood test can also tell you if your HDL cholesterol is ideal or too low.
Heart Problems That Go Hand in Hand With Strokes
16 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Library of Medicine MedlinePlus.Cholesterol.National Library of Medicine Medline Plus.Stroke.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Stroke facts.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Risk factors for stroke.Wang X, Dong Y, Qi X, Huang C, Hou L.Cholesterol levels and risk of hemorrhagic stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Stroke. 2013;44(7):1833-1839. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.113.001326Hackam DG, Hegele RA.Cholesterol lowering and prevention of stroke: an overview.Stroke. 2019;50(2):537-541. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.118.023167National Library of Medicine MedlinePLus.Cholesterol levels: what you need to know.National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.Stroke causes and risk factors.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing stroke.Bushnell C, Kernan WN, Sharrief AZ, et al.2024 Guideline for the Primary Prevention of Stroke: A Guideline From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association [published correction appears in Stroke. 2024 Dec;55(12):e439. doi: 10.1161/STR.0000000000000482].Stroke. 2024;55(12):e344-e424.Mann S, Beedie C, Jimenez A.Differential effects of aerobic exercise, resistance training and combined exercise modalities on cholesterol and the lipid profile: review, synthesis and recommendations.Sports Med. 2014;44(2):211-221. doi:10.1007/s40279-013-0110-5Nakamura M, Yamamoto Y, Imaoka W, et al.Relationships between smoking status, cardiovascular risk factors, and lipoproteins in a large japanese population.J Atheroscler Thromb. 2021;28(9):942-953. doi:10.5551/jat.56838Wu YL, Saver JL, Chen PC, et al.Effect of statin use on clinical outcomes in ischemic stroke patients with atrial fibrillation.Medicine (Baltimore). 2017;96(5):e5918. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000005918Stone NJ, Robinson JG, Lichtenstein AH, et al.2013 ACC/AHA guideline on the treatment of blood cholesterol to reduce atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk in adults: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines.Circulation. 2014;129(25 Suppl 2):S1-45. doi:10.1161/01.cir.0000437738.63853.7aTian J, Gu X, Sun Y, et al.Effect of statin therapy on the progression of coronary atherosclerosis.BMC Cardiovasc Disord. 2012;12(1):70. doi:10.1186/1471-2261-12-70Zhou YH, Ye XF, Yu FF, et al.Lipid management in the prevention of stroke: a meta-analysis of fibrates for stroke prevention.BMC Neurol. 2013;13:1. doi:10.1186/1471-2377-13-1
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Library of Medicine MedlinePlus.Cholesterol.National Library of Medicine Medline Plus.Stroke.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Stroke facts.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Risk factors for stroke.Wang X, Dong Y, Qi X, Huang C, Hou L.Cholesterol levels and risk of hemorrhagic stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Stroke. 2013;44(7):1833-1839. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.113.001326Hackam DG, Hegele RA.Cholesterol lowering and prevention of stroke: an overview.Stroke. 2019;50(2):537-541. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.118.023167National Library of Medicine MedlinePLus.Cholesterol levels: what you need to know.National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.Stroke causes and risk factors.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing stroke.Bushnell C, Kernan WN, Sharrief AZ, et al.2024 Guideline for the Primary Prevention of Stroke: A Guideline From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association [published correction appears in Stroke. 2024 Dec;55(12):e439. doi: 10.1161/STR.0000000000000482].Stroke. 2024;55(12):e344-e424.Mann S, Beedie C, Jimenez A.Differential effects of aerobic exercise, resistance training and combined exercise modalities on cholesterol and the lipid profile: review, synthesis and recommendations.Sports Med. 2014;44(2):211-221. doi:10.1007/s40279-013-0110-5Nakamura M, Yamamoto Y, Imaoka W, et al.Relationships between smoking status, cardiovascular risk factors, and lipoproteins in a large japanese population.J Atheroscler Thromb. 2021;28(9):942-953. doi:10.5551/jat.56838Wu YL, Saver JL, Chen PC, et al.Effect of statin use on clinical outcomes in ischemic stroke patients with atrial fibrillation.Medicine (Baltimore). 2017;96(5):e5918. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000005918Stone NJ, Robinson JG, Lichtenstein AH, et al.2013 ACC/AHA guideline on the treatment of blood cholesterol to reduce atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk in adults: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines.Circulation. 2014;129(25 Suppl 2):S1-45. doi:10.1161/01.cir.0000437738.63853.7aTian J, Gu X, Sun Y, et al.Effect of statin therapy on the progression of coronary atherosclerosis.BMC Cardiovasc Disord. 2012;12(1):70. doi:10.1186/1471-2261-12-70Zhou YH, Ye XF, Yu FF, et al.Lipid management in the prevention of stroke: a meta-analysis of fibrates for stroke prevention.BMC Neurol. 2013;13:1. doi:10.1186/1471-2377-13-1
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Library of Medicine MedlinePlus.Cholesterol.National Library of Medicine Medline Plus.Stroke.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Stroke facts.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Risk factors for stroke.Wang X, Dong Y, Qi X, Huang C, Hou L.Cholesterol levels and risk of hemorrhagic stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Stroke. 2013;44(7):1833-1839. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.113.001326Hackam DG, Hegele RA.Cholesterol lowering and prevention of stroke: an overview.Stroke. 2019;50(2):537-541. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.118.023167National Library of Medicine MedlinePLus.Cholesterol levels: what you need to know.National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.Stroke causes and risk factors.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing stroke.Bushnell C, Kernan WN, Sharrief AZ, et al.2024 Guideline for the Primary Prevention of Stroke: A Guideline From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association [published correction appears in Stroke. 2024 Dec;55(12):e439. doi: 10.1161/STR.0000000000000482].Stroke. 2024;55(12):e344-e424.Mann S, Beedie C, Jimenez A.Differential effects of aerobic exercise, resistance training and combined exercise modalities on cholesterol and the lipid profile: review, synthesis and recommendations.Sports Med. 2014;44(2):211-221. doi:10.1007/s40279-013-0110-5Nakamura M, Yamamoto Y, Imaoka W, et al.Relationships between smoking status, cardiovascular risk factors, and lipoproteins in a large japanese population.J Atheroscler Thromb. 2021;28(9):942-953. doi:10.5551/jat.56838Wu YL, Saver JL, Chen PC, et al.Effect of statin use on clinical outcomes in ischemic stroke patients with atrial fibrillation.Medicine (Baltimore). 2017;96(5):e5918. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000005918Stone NJ, Robinson JG, Lichtenstein AH, et al.2013 ACC/AHA guideline on the treatment of blood cholesterol to reduce atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk in adults: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines.Circulation. 2014;129(25 Suppl 2):S1-45. doi:10.1161/01.cir.0000437738.63853.7aTian J, Gu X, Sun Y, et al.Effect of statin therapy on the progression of coronary atherosclerosis.BMC Cardiovasc Disord. 2012;12(1):70. doi:10.1186/1471-2261-12-70Zhou YH, Ye XF, Yu FF, et al.Lipid management in the prevention of stroke: a meta-analysis of fibrates for stroke prevention.BMC Neurol. 2013;13:1. doi:10.1186/1471-2377-13-1
National Library of Medicine MedlinePlus.Cholesterol.
National Library of Medicine Medline Plus.Stroke.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Stroke facts.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Risk factors for stroke.
Wang X, Dong Y, Qi X, Huang C, Hou L.Cholesterol levels and risk of hemorrhagic stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Stroke. 2013;44(7):1833-1839. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.113.001326
Hackam DG, Hegele RA.Cholesterol lowering and prevention of stroke: an overview.Stroke. 2019;50(2):537-541. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.118.023167
National Library of Medicine MedlinePLus.Cholesterol levels: what you need to know.
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.Stroke causes and risk factors.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing stroke.
Bushnell C, Kernan WN, Sharrief AZ, et al.2024 Guideline for the Primary Prevention of Stroke: A Guideline From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association [published correction appears in Stroke. 2024 Dec;55(12):e439. doi: 10.1161/STR.0000000000000482].Stroke. 2024;55(12):e344-e424.
Mann S, Beedie C, Jimenez A.Differential effects of aerobic exercise, resistance training and combined exercise modalities on cholesterol and the lipid profile: review, synthesis and recommendations.Sports Med. 2014;44(2):211-221. doi:10.1007/s40279-013-0110-5
Nakamura M, Yamamoto Y, Imaoka W, et al.Relationships between smoking status, cardiovascular risk factors, and lipoproteins in a large japanese population.J Atheroscler Thromb. 2021;28(9):942-953. doi:10.5551/jat.56838
Wu YL, Saver JL, Chen PC, et al.Effect of statin use on clinical outcomes in ischemic stroke patients with atrial fibrillation.Medicine (Baltimore). 2017;96(5):e5918. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000005918
Stone NJ, Robinson JG, Lichtenstein AH, et al.2013 ACC/AHA guideline on the treatment of blood cholesterol to reduce atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk in adults: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines.Circulation. 2014;129(25 Suppl 2):S1-45. doi:10.1161/01.cir.0000437738.63853.7a
Tian J, Gu X, Sun Y, et al.Effect of statin therapy on the progression of coronary atherosclerosis.BMC Cardiovasc Disord. 2012;12(1):70. doi:10.1186/1471-2261-12-70
Zhou YH, Ye XF, Yu FF, et al.Lipid management in the prevention of stroke: a meta-analysis of fibrates for stroke prevention.BMC Neurol. 2013;13:1. doi:10.1186/1471-2377-13-1
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