High Cholesterol

Overview

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance the body needs, but too much — particularly LDL ("bad") cholesterol — can build up in artery walls and raise the risk of heart attack and stroke over time.

Symptoms

High cholesterol itself usually causes no symptoms. It's typically found through blood testing rather than how a person feels, which is why routine screening matters.

Risk Factors

Diet high in saturated fat, physical inactivity, smoking, obesity, family history, older age, and conditions like diabetes and hypothyroidism can all raise cholesterol levels.

Common Blood Tests

A lipid panel measuring total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides — usually done after fasting, though non-fasting tests are increasingly used.

Lifestyle Information

Reducing saturated and trans fats, increasing fibre and unsaturated fats (olive oil, nuts, oily fish), regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking all help improve cholesterol levels.

When to seek medical advice

Discuss testing with a doctor if you have a family history of early heart disease or high cholesterol, or as part of routine cardiovascular risk screening from midlife onward.

Sources