Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDietary CholesterolBlood CholesterolMonitoring CholesterolCholesterol LevelsRisk FactorsDietLowering CholesterolMedicationsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Dietary Cholesterol
Blood Cholesterol
Monitoring Cholesterol
Cholesterol Levels
Risk Factors
Diet
Lowering Cholesterol
Medications
Frequently Asked Questions
Cholesterol is a substance that is waxy and fat-like. It circulates through your blood, so all of your cells have cholesterol.
Although your body needs cholesterol to make hormones, cells, and vitamins, too much cholesterol can become a health problem and may cause cardiovascular (heart and blood vessels) disease.
This article discusses the different types of cholesterol, levels, risk factors, and steps to lower cholesterol levels.
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Cholesterol in your body comes from two main sources: your liver and your diet. The liver can make all the cholesterol your body needs to function.
High Cholesterol Foods
High cholesterol foods include:
Low Cholesterol Foods
Low cholesterol foods include:
When there is too much cholesterol in your blood, it can stick together with other substances like fat or calcium to make thick deposits (plaque) on the walls of your arteries. This is calledatherosclerosisand may cause heart disease, such ascoronary artery diseaseif the arteries become narrow and clogged.
When the arteries become blocked, it is difficult for blood to flow through them, so the heart does not get enough blood or oxygen.
There are three main types of proteins called lipoproteins that transport cholesterol in your blood:
HDL
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)is considered good cholesterol. HDL moves cholesterol from different parts of the body back to the liver, so it can remove it from your body. The liver can break down the extra cholesterol.
A healthy amount of HDL in the blood can protect you from heart disease and stroke. However, HDL cannot remove all the excess cholesterol in your body.
LDL
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)is considered bad cholesterol. LDL also moves cholesterol in your body. If there is too much LDL in your blood, then you have a higher risk of plaque forming in the arteries.
VLDL
Very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)is also considered bad cholesterol. It can lead to plaque forming in your arteries. However, VLDL is different from LDL because VLDL moves fat called triglycerides.Triglyceridescome from converting the food you eat into fat.
Monitoring Cholesterol Levels
Since high cholesterol increases your risk of heart disease and stroke, it is important to monitor your cholesterol levels. By having a blood test to check your cholesterol, you will be able to take control and make changes to improve your health.
You may not have any symptoms of high cholesterol, so you should follow the guidelines for monitoring cholesterol.
Have your cholesterol checked:
If you have a high risk of cardiovascular disease, you may need to have your cholesterol checked more often. Children at high risk may also need to start having their cholesterol checked at the age of 2. Talk to your healthcare provider to find the right monitoring schedule for you.
Screening Tests
To check your cholesterol, your healthcare provider will order a blood test called a lipid panel orlipoproteinpanel. The blood test measures your:
What Is a Lipid Panel?
What Are Healthy Cholesterol Levels?
Healthy cholesterol levels depend on your age and other factors. You will get results measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).
Healthy cholesterol levels for children who are 19 years old and younger:
Healthy cholesterol levels for men who are 20 years old and older:
Healthy cholesterol levels for women who are 20 years old and older:
Risk Factors for High Cholesterol
If you have multiple risk factors, then the chance of you having high cholesterol goes up.
Risk factors include:
How Diet Impacts Blood Cholesterol
Your diet can have a big impact on blood cholesterol.
Foods that are high in cholesterol are also high in trans and saturated fats. Trans and saturated fats can make your liver produce more cholesterol. This can cause high cholesterol levels in your blood. A diet high in cholesterol and fats can increase your LDL cholesterol levels.
How to Lower Cholesterol Levels
There are steps you can take to lower your cholesterol levels. Talk to your healthcare provider to find the right treatment plan for you.
Changing your diet is an important lifestyle modification that can help lower cholesterol levels. You want to focus on a heart-healthy diet that is easy to follow.
Diet changes can include:
Exercise
Exercise can also help lower cholesterol levels and improve your heart health. Being physically active may lower LDL and triglycerides while raising HDL.
Medications to Lower Cholesterol
There are medications that can lower cholesterol, such as statins. However, statins have side effects that you should discuss with your healthcare providers, such as increasing the risk of diabetes. They can prescribe other medications that may not have the same side effects.
What is HDL cholesterol?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol functions to help clear fats from your bloodstream. As a result, it is known as the “good” cholesterol.
HDL Cholesterol Facts
What is LDL cholesterol?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is what many refer to as “bad fat” because high levels in the blood put you at a higher risk of developingheart disease. LDL particles transport cholesterol around the body.
LDL Cholesterol Facts
Can you tell if you have high cholesterol without a blood test?
The only way to definitely determine if you have high cholesterol is through ablood test.
A Word From Verywell
It is important to understand cholesterol and how it affects your body. You’ll want to follow the guidelines for monitoring cholesterol levels, so you should get tested regularly based on the advice of your healthcare provider. Also talk to your practitioner if you have any questions or concerns about cholesterol, testing, or treatment.
5 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.MedlinePlus.Cholesterol.American Heart Association.Cholesterol 101: an introduction.American Heart Association.Cholesterol: the good and the bad.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Blood cholesterol.MedlinePlus.Cholesterol levels: what you need to know.
5 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.MedlinePlus.Cholesterol.American Heart Association.Cholesterol 101: an introduction.American Heart Association.Cholesterol: the good and the bad.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Blood cholesterol.MedlinePlus.Cholesterol levels: what you need to know.
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.
MedlinePlus.Cholesterol.American Heart Association.Cholesterol 101: an introduction.American Heart Association.Cholesterol: the good and the bad.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Blood cholesterol.MedlinePlus.Cholesterol levels: what you need to know.
MedlinePlus.Cholesterol.
American Heart Association.Cholesterol 101: an introduction.
American Heart Association.Cholesterol: the good and the bad.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Blood cholesterol.
MedlinePlus.Cholesterol levels: what you need to know.
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