High Cholesterol
Medically reviewed by [Clinician name, credentials] on [date]
You can't feel high cholesterol, but it matters for your heart. The CDC notes that millions of people in the U.S. have it. A simple blood test tells you where you stand, and there are proven ways to bring numbers down. Here's what you need to know.
This page is for general education. It isn't a diagnosis and doesn't replace a visit with a clinician.
What is high cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance. Your liver makes all the cholesterol your body needs to build hormones, make vitamin D, and digest food. Cholesterol also comes from animal foods like meat, eggs, and dairy.
Too much cholesterol in the blood can build up as plaque in your artery walls. Over time, plaque narrows arteries. That can lead to chest pain, heart attack, stroke, and poor blood flow to the legs.
A cholesterol test is called a lipid panel. It usually measures:
- LDL ("bad") cholesterol. High levels lead to plaque buildup.
- HDL ("good") cholesterol. It helps carry cholesterol back to the liver to be removed.
- Triglycerides. A type of fat in the blood. High triglycerides with low HDL or high LDL raise heart risk.
- Total cholesterol.
The CDC says a total cholesterol above 200 mg/dL may be considered high, and lists optimal levels as about 100 mg/dL for LDL, at least 40 (men) or 50 (women) for HDL, and less than 150 for triglycerides. Your own target depends on your overall heart risk, so talk it over with your clinician.
What raises cholesterol? Eating a lot of saturated fat, not moving much, smoking, drinking too much alcohol, and extra weight. Age, family history (including an inherited condition called familial hypercholesterolemia), diabetes, kidney disease, and some medicines can also play a part.
Common symptoms
High cholesterol usually has no signs or symptoms. MedlinePlus and the CDC both say a blood test is the only way to know.
General testing guidance from MedlinePlus: younger adults about every 5 years; men 45 to 65 and women 55 to 65 every 1 to 2 years; and adults over 65 every year. Your clinician may suggest a different schedule based on your risks.
When telehealth works — and when you need in-person care
Telehealth often works well for:
- Going over your lipid panel results and overall heart risk
- Talking through food, activity, weight, and quitting smoking
- Starting or reviewing a cholesterol medicine, and checking for side effects
- Follow-up after repeat labs
You'll need a lab or in-person care for:
- The blood test itself (ask whether you need to fast)
- A physical exam when your clinician needs one
- Any new chest pain, which needs urgent in-person care (see below)
How Oceanside Health can help
- Video visits to review your results, family history, and other risks like blood pressure and blood sugar.
- Lab orders and follow-up. [CONFIRM: lab partner(s) and process]
- A clear plan. MedlinePlus says heart-healthy eating, weight management, and regular activity are the first steps. If those aren't enough, your clinician may talk with you about medicines such as statins. If you take medicine, healthy habits still matter.
- Ongoing check-ins so you can see your progress over time.
- Connected care. Cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, and weight are closely linked, so we look at the whole picture.
We see patients by video across Brevard County, including Melbourne, Rockledge, and Viera. [CONFIRM: in-person availability]
Call 911 or go to the ER if…
High cholesterol itself isn't an emergency, but it raises the risk of heart attack and stroke. Call 911 right away for:
- Chest discomfort: pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain that lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back
- Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach
- Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort
- A cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness
- Stroke signs (B.E. F.A.S.T.): sudden balance loss, eyesight changes, face drooping, arm weakness, or speech trouble
The AHA notes women may also have symptoms like shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, back or jaw pain, and unusual tiredness. Don't wait to see if it passes, and don't drive yourself. Calling 911 is almost always the fastest way to get treatment.
Frequently asked questions
Can I have high cholesterol if I'm thin and feel healthy?
Yes. High cholesterol has no symptoms, and genes and other factors play a role, not just weight. A blood test is the only way to know.
Do I need to fast before a cholesterol test?
Sometimes. It depends on the test your clinician orders. We'll tell you before your lab visit.
Can food changes really make a difference?
They can. Eating less saturated fat, moving more, and managing weight can help lower LDL. Some people also need medicine. Your clinician will help you decide.
Are statins safe?
Statins are a common type of cholesterol medicine. Like any medicine, they can have side effects. Your clinician will talk about benefits and risks for you, and you can always bring up concerns.
Book a visit
Got lab results you'd like explained? Book a visit or call 321-878-8195. Please don't send health details through this website or by email. We'll go over everything privately during your visit.
If you think you're having an emergency, call 911.
Sources
- CDC. About Cholesterol. https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/about/index.html
- MedlinePlus (NIH). Cholesterol. https://medlineplus.gov/cholesterol.html
- American Heart Association. Warning Signs of a Heart Attack. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/warning-signs-of-a-heart-attack
- American Stroke Association. Stroke Symptoms and Warning Signs. https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/stroke-symptoms
Medically reviewed by [Clinician name, credentials] on [date]. Next review due: [date + 12 months].