Cholesterol is a white, waxy, fat-like substance that is needed for rebuilding cells and is carried in the bloodstream to where it is needed.  However, high levels of Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol are considered potentially damaging because this can build up plaque inside the walls of arteries.  Eventually, this can impair the flow of oxygen-rich blood to parts of your body and can lead to more serious diseases such as a heart attack, angina or a stroke.

Many millions of people worldwide have high cholesterol.  It is almost as common as high blood pressure. The government has set an audit standard target for total cholesterol level of ≤ 5.0 mmol/l, in specific increased risk patient groups, but 66% of men and 67% of women in England have (blood) cholesterol levels of 5.0 mmol/l or above.

Cholesterol levels can be influenced by lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise, and it is also known that genes play a part. One in 500 of the population have familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) when they inherit a specific genetic defect that causes very high cholesterol levels in the blood.

Other causes of high cholesterol levels include:

• Diet high in saturated fats and cholesterol
• Cirrhosis
• Poorly-controlled diabetes
• Under-active thyroid gland
• Over-active pituitary gland
• Kidney failure
• Porphyria

Usually high cholesterol levels cause no symptoms at all.  Occasionally, if levels are very high, fat deposits may form growths called xanthomas in tendons and in the skin.

A simple blood test to measure the total cholesterol level can be taken at any time.  However blood samples to measure levels of different types of cholesterol, such as LDL, are best taken after at least 12 hours of fasting.

Some people, because of body chemistry or heredity, have too much LDL cholesterol no matter how hard they try. These people may be prescribed medication that will help to lower their cholesterol. There are different types of lipid-lowering drugs: bile acid binders, fibric acid derivatives, cholesterol absorption inhibitors and statins. Each type lowers lipids by a different mechanism. Consequently, the different types of drugs have different side effects and may affect lipid levels differently.

Treatment should be tailored to the individual, if side effects occur, it is important to discuss these with your doctor who can look at changing the dose or switching to an alternative therapy.

• Making some basic lifestyle changes can help in managing high    cholesterol. These include:
• Eating a diet low in fat and cholesterol
• Losing any excess weight
• Taking regular physical exercise – this helps to reduce high cholesterol and to reduce other risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure.
• Giving up smoking

While there may be information on this website related to certain medical conditions and their treatment, you should promptly see your own physician or health care provider should you wish to discuss any medical condition. We do not offer personalised medical diagnosis or patient-specific treatment advice. Indeed, only your doctor or other health care professional, as a learned intermediary, can determine if a product described in this, or any, website is appropriate for you.