Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor
Medically Reviewed on 11/1/2021
Doctor's Notes on High Cholesterol
High cholesterol is medically known as hypercholesterolemia. This means that there is an elevated level of cholesterol in the bloodstream. High cholesterol is caused by a combination of genetic tendencies (inherited factors) and environmental influences. Being overweight or consuming foods such as meats, whole milk dairy products, egg yolks, and some kinds of fish cause cholesterol levels to rise.
High cholesterol does not produce specific signs or symptoms itself; however, it increases the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases including heart attack or myocardial infarction. Symptoms of cardiovascular disease may include:
- chest pain or pressure,
- shortness of breath, or
- pain in the legs during exercise.
Other associated symptoms of cardiovascular disease may include:
- fatigue,
- weakness,
- heart palpitations, and
- coughing.
What Is the Treatment for High Cholesterol?
Both home remedies and medications can help lower cholesterol. Lifestyle changes include:
- Eating a healthy diet, reducing saturated and trans-fat intake
- Exercising regularly
- Smoking cessation
- Weight loss
- Drinking alcohol only in moderation
If lifestyle changes are not sufficient, medical treatment for high cholesterol levels may involve statins which are a well-known class of drugs that lower cholesterol production in the liver, although there are other classes of drugs that also help control cholesterol levels.
High Cholesterol (Hyperlipidemia) : Test Your Medical IQ Quiz
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Aerobic Exercise
Aerobic exercise is moderate physical activity that's sustained for a few minutes with the goal of improving health. Walking, biking, swimming, dancing, and jogging are examples of aerobic exercise. Aerobic exercise has many benefits, including improving bone density, endurance, HDL, weight control, insulin resistance, balance, and odds of surviving a heart attack and reducing blood pressure, cancer risk, body fat, and triglycerides. -
Angina (Ischemic Chest Pain)
Angina is a term to describe chest pain that occurs when the heart is not getting enough blood. There are two types of angina, stable (the most common) and unstable. Stable angina generally lasts less than 5 minutes and is relieved by nitroglycerin tablets. Angina may be caused by heart disease, coronary artery spasm, or other causes. Risk factors for angina include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, family history, aging, and stimulant use. Treatment depends upon the cause of angina. -
Cholesterol Levels: What the Numbers Mean
Blood cholesterol levels are measured by a simple blood test. Elevated LDL cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol), and low levels of HDL cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol) levels, and high triglyceride levels puts a person at an increased risk for heart attack or stroke. The primary goal for a person with high triglycerides or cholesterol levels is to lower them with lifestyle changes like exercise, weight loss and diet changes to include more fiber, fruits and vegetables. -
Cholesterol Test
Cholesterol tests measure the cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. The test is also referred to as a lipoprotein profile or lipoprotein analysis. The test measures total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglyceride levels in the blood. Few risks are associated with cholesterol tests. -
Exercise
Exercise has been shown to reduce one's risk of heart disease, diabetes, colon and breast cancer, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and reduce depression and anxiety. The Surgeon General recommends accumulating 30 minutes of exercise on a daily basis. -
Hardening of the Arteries (Atherosclerosis)
Atherosclerosis is the term referring to a hardening of the arteries caused by buildup of fat and cholesterol on the artery walls. The deposits, called plaque, can eventually block blood flow. Obesity, high cholesterol, age and a number of other factors put people at risk for atherosclerosis. Treatment may include lifestyle changes, surgery, and medication. -
Heart Attack
A heart attack is an interruption in blood flow to the heart muscle. Arterial plaque rupture is often the cause of a heart attack. Symptoms of a heart attack may include chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, and nausea. Emergency heart catheterization and thrombolytic therapy may be used to treat a heart attack. -
Heart Disease
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a group of different types of heart disease. Symptoms of heart disease depend on the cause and inclue chest pain or angina, shortness of breath, palpitations, and dizziness. Many conditions causes heart disease, for example, genetics, obesity, high cholesterol, and smoking. Treatment for heart disease depend on the cause and include diet and other lifestyle changes, medications, procedures, and surgery. The prognosis (outlook) and life span for someone with heart disease varies depending on the cause. -
High Cholesterol and Children
High cholesterol is a risk factor for coronary heart disease in adults, but some children may be at risk for premature coronary heart disease if they have high cholesterol levels. Lowering high cholesterol levels in children can be accomplished with diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes. -
High Cholesterol Management
Lifestyle cholesterol management is important to lower your risk for heart disease, which includes: heart attack, stroke, and peripheral artery disease. Cholesterol management with lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise can effectively lower blood cholesterol levels in some individuals. -
High Cholesterol: Medications to Lower
Cholesterol is a waxy, fatlike substance that your body needs to function normally. If a person has too much cholesterol in their bloodstream, it can lead to heart disease. Cholesterol lowering medications include statins (Lipitor, Lescol, Mevacor, Altocor, Pravachol, Zocor, and Crestor), bile acid sequestrants (Questran, Colestid, WelChol), nicotinic acid agents (niacin, Niacor, Slo-Niacin), and fibrates (Lopid, Tricor). Side effects, drug interactions, and warnings and precautions should be reviewed prior to taking these medications. -
How to Lower Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is naturally present in the body. Diets high in fat, inactivity, and obesity contribute to high cholesterol. Some factors such as genetics are uncontrollable for having high cholesterol. You can lower your cholesterol levels naturally with lifestyle changes such as weight loss and control, exercise, diet, and quitting smoking. If these measures don't lower cholesterol enough a person may need to take cholesterol medications. -
Resistance Training
Resistance training is the use of weights, bands, or bodyweight to strengthen muscles. Resistance training is an important part of an overall fitness program. -
Statins (Cholesterol Lowering Drugs)
Statins are a class of drug prescribed for reducing blood cholesterol levels in individuals with high cholesterol. Examples of statins available include atorvastatin (Lipitor), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor, Altocor), pravastatin (Pravachol), pitavastatin (Livalo), simvastatin (Zocor), and rosuvastatin (Crestor). Common side effects include brown, discolored urine, vomiting, muscle weakness, leg pain, muscle soreness, and stomach cramps. Drug and food interactions, warnings and precautions, and serious side effects should be reviewed prior to taking any medication. -
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Walking for Fitness
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Weight Loss
Obesity is simply the accumulation of excess body fat. It is much more than that, however. Obesity is a chronic (long-term) disease that is very difficult to treat. It takes 3,500 extra calories to gain 1 pound. To lose weight, you must eat 3,500 calories less than you need, say, 500 fewer calories per day for one week, to lose 1 pound. -
Yoga
Yoga is the systematic practice of physical exercise, breath control, relaxation, diet control, and positive thinking and meditation aimed at developing harmony in the body, mind, and environment. Yoga produces a union of body, mind, and energy to elicit calmness. Benefits of yoga include: improved flexibility, stress relief, and inner peace. -
Yoga FAQs
Yoga is a system of stretching and calesthenics based on ancient Indian practices. This form of exercise offers many health benefits, and there are a number of frequently asked questions about the practice of yoga. -
Yoga Glossary of Terms
There are many terms used in yoga. Learn about the most common terms, from "asana" to "yogi."
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.