Cholesterol is a fatty substance carried in the blood. Too much "bad" (LDL) cholesterol builds up in the walls of the arteries and raises the risk of heart attack and stroke. High cholesterol causes no symptoms and is found only by a blood test. A healthy diet, physical activity and, when needed, medicines can lower it.
Symptoms
Usually no symptoms
Found only by a blood test (lipid profile)
Very high inherited levels can cause yellow fatty lumps on the eyelids or tendons
Sometimes the first sign is a complication such as angina, heart attack or stroke
Causes
A diet high in saturated fat, such as ghee (dalda), fatty meat and fried food
Being overweight and little physical activity
Smoking
Diabetes, an underactive thyroid or kidney disease
A family history of high cholesterol
Older age
Prevention
Use small amounts of vegetable oil instead of ghee (dalda)
Eat less fatty meat and fried food
Eat more vegetables, fruit, lentils, beans, oats and a handful of nuts
Be active for at least 30 minutes on most days
Keep a healthy weight and do not smoke
Have your cholesterol checked from the age of 40, or earlier if heart disease runs in your family
Treatment
Healthy diet, regular activity and weight loss if needed
Statin medicines when your overall risk is high, as prescribed by a doctor
Regular blood tests to check the effect
Treating other risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes and smoking
Do not start or stop prescription medicines without a doctor
Common questions
I am thin. Can I still have high cholesterol?
Yes. Cholesterol also depends on your genes, diet and other conditions. Thin people can have high cholesterol too, so a blood test is the only way to know.
Do I have to take a statin for life?
Statins usually need to be taken long term to keep protecting your heart. If you stop, cholesterol goes back up. Talk to your doctor before making any change.
