High cholesterol
Cholesterol is a fatty substance carried in the blood. Too much "bad" (LDL) cholesterol builds up in the walls of the arteries and raises the risk of heart attack and stroke. High cholesterol causes no symptoms and is found only by a blood test. A healthy diet, physical activity and, when needed, medicines can lower it.
Symptoms
- Usually no symptoms
- Found only by a blood test (lipid profile)
- Very high inherited levels can cause yellow fatty lumps on the eyelids or tendons
- Sometimes the first sign is a complication such as angina, heart attack or stroke
Causes
- A diet high in saturated fat, such as ghee (dalda), fatty meat and fried food
- Being overweight and little physical activity
- Smoking
- Diabetes, an underactive thyroid or kidney disease
- A family history of high cholesterol
- Older age
Prevention
- Use small amounts of vegetable oil instead of ghee (dalda)
- Eat less fatty meat and fried food
- Eat more vegetables, fruit, lentils, beans, oats and a handful of nuts
- Be active for at least 30 minutes on most days
- Keep a healthy weight and do not smoke
- Have your cholesterol checked from the age of 40, or earlier if heart disease runs in your family
Treatment
- Healthy diet, regular activity and weight loss if needed
- Statin medicines when your overall risk is high, as prescribed by a doctor
- Regular blood tests to check the effect
- Treating other risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes and smoking
- Do not start or stop prescription medicines without a doctor
Common questions
I am thin. Can I still have high cholesterol?
Yes. Cholesterol also depends on your genes, diet and other conditions. Thin people can have high cholesterol too, so a blood test is the only way to know.
Do I have to take a statin for life?
Statins usually need to be taken long term to keep protecting your heart. If you stop, cholesterol goes back up. Talk to your doctor before making any change.