Cholesterol is a kind of fat in your blood. Your body makes its own cholesterol but you also get it from the foods you eat like meat, potato chips, cookies, and eggs. Some people have too much cholesterol in their blood.
Cholesterol can build up on the inside of the blood vessels of your heart. If too much cholesterol builds up, then the blood cannot flow through to your heart. This can cause a heart attack.
Most people do not show any signs of high cholesterol. The only way to know for sure is to go to the doctor and ask for a cholesterol test.
If your doctor tells you that you have high cholesterol, there are things you can do to lower your cholesterol. You can make changes to your diet and exercise at least 30 minutes most days. There are also medicines you can take to help lower your cholesterol.
Use this guide to help you talk to your doctor about how to best control your cholesterol. This guide lists the different kinds of medicines to control cholesterol. Ask your doctor to tell you about all of the risks and benefits of taking your cholesterol medicine.
Did you know?
High cholesterol can raise your chance of having heart attacks and heart disease.
Women over age 20 should have their cholesterol checked by a doctor.
Most people do not show any signs of having high cholesterol.
Sometimes cholesterol can build up in your heart and cause chest pains.
You can find out your cholesterol number by getting a simple blood test.
Your total cholesterol number should be under 200.
Good vs. Bad Cholesterol
Not all cholesterol in your blood is bad for you. There are three kinds of blood cholesterol that you should know about: HDL (good cholesterol), LDL, (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides.
|
Good Cholesterol | Bad Cholesterol |
|---|---|---|
| What is it called? | HDL | LDL |
| What does it do to your heart? | Helps to keep the arteries from clogging up Protects against heart disease | Builds up and blocks your arteriesHelps to cause heart disease |
| What should your cholesterol number be? | Good level = 60mg/dL or Higher |
Good level = Less than 100mg/dL if you have high risk for heart diseaseLess than 130mg/dL if you are otherwise healthy |
Fenofibrate
Cholesterol
Combination drugs: what you should know
Medicines to control cholesterol
Bile acid sequestrants: what you should know
Statins: what you should know
Other drugs: what you should know
Niacin: what you should know
Fibrates: what you should know