High Blood Cholesterol
High blood cholesterol means that there is too much cholesterol, a fat-like
substance in your blood. Your risk for getting heart disease or having a heart attack goes up when your cholesterol level is too high. If you have high blood cholesterol, fatty deposits called plaque can build up on the walls of the arteries. This is called atherosclerosis. If the arteries that carry blood to your heart (the coronary arteries) are affected, less blood and oxygen can get to your heart. This can cause chest pain (angina) and heart attacks.
There are no symptoms of high blood cholesterol. The only way to find out if you have high blood cholesterol is by having a blood test.
What are "bad cholesterol" and "good cholesterol"?
Cholesterol travels through the blood in packages called lipoproteins.
Low density lipoprotein (LDL) is called "bad cholesterol" because it is the main source of cholesterol buildup and blockage in the arteries. Reducing high levels of LDL has been proven to reduce heart disease risk.
High density lipoprotein (HDL) is known as "good cholesterol" because it takes the bad cholesterol out of your blood and keeps it from building up in your arteries. For HDL, higher numbers are better. Low HDL levels (especially under 40) are linked to a higher risk of heart disease, while HDL levels over 60 protect against heart disease.
It is important to know your LDL and HDL levels in addition to your total cholesterol level.
High Blood
Cholesterol Symptoms to H
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