One contributing factor to heart disease is high cholesterol. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance produced by the liver that is also found in food, particularly animal-based foods, like dairy products, eggs and meat. The body requires a small amount of cholesterol to function properly, but too much cholesterol can lead to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and other cardiovascular problems.

You may have heard the terms “HDL” and “LDL”. These terms describe different types of lipoproteins, which can be thought of as the packages that contain cholesterol and other fats so they can be transported to other parts of the body through your blood. The two most commonly known lipoproteins are high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL).

• High-density lipoproteins (HDL), also called "good" cholesterol, help remove bad cholesterol from the blood. Higher levels of HDL are better. 
• Low density lipoproteins (LDL), also called "bad" cholesterol, contribute to plaque buildup on the walls of arteries. Too much LDL in the blood creates a greater risk of heart disease. 

In general, a total cholesterol level below 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/DCL) is most desirable. This represents an HDL of greater than 40 milligrams mg/DL and an LDL of less than 130 mg/DL.

Triglycerides, made up of excess calories, alcohol and sugar in the body, are another type of fat found in the bloodstream that is thought to contribute to heart disease. Certain conditions, such as diabetes or liver disease, can increase triglyceride levels. A healthy triglyceride level is less than 150 mg/dL.

Causes and Risks

Many factors can cause cholesterol to reach unhealthy levels:

• Diet
• Obesity
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Age and Gender
• Diabetes
• Heredity
• Smoking

Symptoms

There are no symptoms of high cholesterol. Only a blood cholesterol can determine your cholesterol levels.

Treatment

In most cases, cholesterol level can be modified by making lifestyle changes and/or taking medication. The appropriate treatment for you depends on your personal risk factors and cholesterol levels – for example, people who are at a low to moderate risk of heart disease may only need to adjust their diets and exercise more to improve cholesterol levels. Higher risk individuals most likely will be treated with a combination of lifestyle changes and cholesterol-lowering drugs. Your family doctor can evaluate you and provide resources for managing your cholesterol.

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