High cholesterol, also called hyperlipidemia, is a condition in which there are too many fats (lipids) in your blood. Cholesterol is a waxy substance your body needs to build cells, make hormones, and produce vitamin D. However, having too much cholesterol—especially low-density lipoprotein (LDL), often called “bad cholesterol”—can cause fatty deposits (plaque) to build up inside your arteries. Over time, this can make it harder for blood to flow and increase your risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
High cholesterol usually develops slowly and often does not cause symptoms. Many people do not know they have it until it is found during routine blood work. The good news is that healthy lifestyle changes, medications when needed, and regular medical care can help lower cholesterol and reduce your risk of serious health problems.
High Blood Cholesterol – NIH MedlinePlus
https://medlineplus.gov/highbloodcholesterol.html
Provides easy-to-understand information about high cholesterol, including symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
High Blood Cholesterol – National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/high-blood-cholesterol
Explains what cholesterol is, why high cholesterol develops, and how it can be treated.
High cholesterol is one of the most common health conditions in the United States. Millions of adults have elevated cholesterol levels, and many are unaware because the condition usually causes no symptoms. Regular cholesterol screening is important for early detection and treatment.
High Cholesterol Facts – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/
Provides current statistics and information about high cholesterol in the United States.
What Symptoms Might You Notice?
High cholesterol usually does not cause any symptoms. Most people feel completely well until high cholesterol leads to complications such as heart disease or stroke.
If complications develop, symptoms may include:
High cholesterol is diagnosed with a simple blood test called a lipid panel. Your healthcare provider will review your cholesterol levels along with your age, family history, medical conditions, and overall risk of heart disease to determine whether treatment is needed.
Regular cholesterol screening is recommended because high cholesterol usually causes no symptoms.
High Blood Cholesterol – NHLBI
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/high-blood-cholesterol
Explains how healthcare providers diagnose high cholesterol and interpret cholesterol test results.
High cholesterol can develop from a combination of genetics, lifestyle habits, and certain medical conditions. Some people inherit a condition called familial hypercholesterolemia, which causes very high cholesterol levels.
Common causes and risk factors include:
High Blood Cholesterol – NHLBI
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/high-blood-cholesterol
Learn about the causes and risk factors for developing high cholesterol.
Several lifestyle habits and health conditions can make cholesterol levels more difficult to control.
Common factors include:
Managing Cholesterol – American Heart Association
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol
Provides practical tips for lowering cholesterol and improving heart health.
Healthy lifestyle habits can help prevent high cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Helpful prevention tips include:
Preventing High Cholesterol – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/
Provides practical guidance for preventing high cholesterol and protecting your heart.
The following video content is provided to help you better understand this condition. These resources are intended for educational purposes and should not replace personalized medical advice from your healthcare provider.
Blood tests help measure cholesterol levels and identify other conditions that may increase your risk of heart disease.
Common laboratory tests include:
Cholesterol Levels – NIH MedlinePlus
https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/cholesterol-levels/
Explains what a lipid panel measures and how cholesterol results are interpreted.
Most people with high cholesterol do not need additional diagnostic testing. However, your healthcare provider may recommend testing to evaluate your heart and blood vessels if you have other cardiovascular risk factors.
Common diagnostic tests may include:
High Blood Cholesterol – NHLBI
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/high-blood-cholesterol
Learn how healthcare providers assess cardiovascular risk and determine the need for additional testing.
Treatment focuses on lowering cholesterol levels and reducing your risk of heart attack and stroke. Many people improve their cholesterol through healthy lifestyle changes, while others also benefit from medication.
Treatment options may include:
High Cholesterol Treatment – American Heart Association
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol
Provides information about healthy lifestyle habits and medications used to treat high cholesterol.
Healthy lifestyle habits are one of the most effective ways to improve cholesterol levels and protect your heart. Even small changes can make a meaningful difference over time.
Helpful lifestyle changes include:
Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) Program – National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/education/TLC-Therapeutic-Lifestyle-Changes-Lower-Cholesterol
Learn about healthy eating and lifestyle habits that help lower cholesterol.
If healthy lifestyle changes are not enough, your healthcare provider may recommend medication to lower your cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease or stroke.
Common medications include:
Statins – NIH MedlinePlus
https://medlineplus.gov/statins.html
Explains how statins work, their benefits, and possible side effects.
Cholesterol Medicines – American Heart Association
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol
Provides information about the medications commonly used to treat high cholesterol.
Most people with high cholesterol do not need surgery or a medical procedure to treat their cholesterol. Treatment usually focuses on healthy lifestyle changes and medications. However, additional procedures or testing may be recommended if high cholesterol has caused or contributed to heart disease.
Possible procedures may include:
Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring – American Heart Association
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/diagnosing-a-heart-attack/cac-test
Learn how a coronary artery calcium scan can help estimate your risk of heart disease.
High cholesterol is often a lifelong condition, but it can usually be managed successfully. Following a heart-healthy lifestyle, taking medications as prescribed, and keeping regular healthcare appointments can greatly reduce your risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases.
Your healthcare provider will monitor your cholesterol levels over time and adjust your treatment plan if needed to help you reach your cholesterol goals.
Taking an active role in your health can help improve your cholesterol levels and reduce your risk of heart disease.
Helpful tips include:
Healthy Living – American Heart Association
https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living
Provides practical guidance for improving heart health through nutrition, exercise, weight management, and healthy habits.
LDL (“bad”) cholesterol contributes to plaque buildup inside your arteries. HDL (“good”) cholesterol helps remove excess cholesterol from your bloodstream and carries it back to the liver.
Many people improve their cholesterol through healthy eating, regular exercise, weight loss, and quitting smoking. Others may also need medication depending on their overall cardiovascular risk.
For most people, eggs can be part of a heart-healthy diet when eaten in moderation. Your overall eating pattern is usually more important than any single food.
Your healthcare provider will recommend how often you should have your cholesterol tested based on your age, health history, and cardiovascular risk factors.
Some people take cholesterol medication long term, while others may be able to reduce or stop medication under their healthcare provider’s guidance after making significant lifestyle improvements.
Consider asking your healthcare provider:
Many people with high cholesterol receive care from their primary care provider. Depending on your cholesterol levels and overall cardiovascular risk, your provider may recommend seeing a specialist.
You may be referred to:
American Heart Association – Cholesterol
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol
Provides patient education about cholesterol, heart disease prevention, and healthy living.
High cholesterol is usually not considered curable, but it is often very manageable. Many people successfully lower their cholesterol through healthy eating, regular exercise, weight management, and medications when needed.
Even if your cholesterol improves, continuing healthy lifestyle habits is important to help keep your cholesterol within your target range and reduce your risk of future heart disease.
High cholesterol itself usually does not cause emergency symptoms. However, it can lead to serious conditions such as a heart attack or stroke.
Call 911 or seek emergency medical care immediately if you experience:
Heart Attack – NIH MedlinePlus
https://medlineplus.gov/heartattack.html
Learn the warning signs of a heart attack and when emergency medical care is needed.
Stroke – NIH MedlinePlus
https://medlineplus.gov/stroke.html
Learn how to recognize the symptoms of a stroke and why prompt treatment is critical.
CALL 911
APNS does not provide emergency medical services. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, including (but not limited to) chest pain, difficulty breathing, stroke symptoms, severe allergic reactions, anaphylaxis, uncontrolled bleeding, seizures, loss of consciousness, or any other potentially life-threatening condition, you are instructed to call 911 immediately or go immediately to the nearest emergency department.
High Blood Cholesterol – NIH MedlinePlus
https://medlineplus.gov/highbloodcholesterol.html
Easy-to-understand information about high cholesterol, including symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) – High Blood Cholesterol
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/high-blood-cholesterol
Comprehensive information about cholesterol, cardiovascular risk, treatment, and healthy living.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Cholesterol
https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/
Evidence-based information about cholesterol, heart disease prevention, and healthy lifestyle habits.
American Heart Association – Cholesterol
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol
Reliable patient education about cholesterol, nutrition, medications, and heart health.
This guide is intended for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from your healthcare provider. Always follow the recommendations of your healthcare team regarding your individual health needs. Contact your healthcare provider if you have questions about your cholesterol levels or treatment plan. Call 911 immediately if you experience symptoms of a heart attack, stroke, or another medical emergency.
At APNS, our providers take the time to understand your condition and your goals. We offer comprehensive telehealth visits at a fixed rate — no membership fees, no insurance required, and no unexpected charges. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or looking for a provider who actually listens, we’re here to help.
