What is high cholesterol?
High cholesterol means your blood carries too much cholesterol or triglycerides. Because low HDL ("good" cholesterol) is also a problem, doctors often use the broader term dyslipidemia. High LDL cholesterol in particular builds up in artery walls, driving atherosclerosis and raising the risk of heart attack and stroke (Grundy et al., 2019).
This article is general health information and is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment. If symptoms persist, see a doctor.
How do you read a cholesterol test?
| Number | What it is | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| LDL cholesterol | "Bad" cholesterol that builds up in arteries | Lower is better |
| HDL cholesterol | Carries extra cholesterol back to the liver | Too low is risky |
| Triglycerides | Stored form of excess calories | High fasting levels are risky |
| Total cholesterol | Sum of cholesterol types | Reference number |
There's no single LDL target for everyone. Goals depend on your overall risk, including diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking and any history of heart disease (Mach et al., 2020).
Causes and treatment
Common causes include diets high in saturated fat and refined carbs, inactivity, belly fat and drinking. Genetics matters too, as in familial hypercholesterolemia. Since there are rarely symptoms, most people find out from a routine blood test. Treatment starts with diet changes, weight loss, aerobic exercise and quitting smoking; higher-risk patients usually add a statin. High triglycerides often show up alongside fatty liver disease and metabolic syndrome.
FAQ
- Does high cholesterol cause symptoms?
- Usually not, which is why regular blood tests matter.
- Can thin people have high cholesterol?
- Yes. Genetics and diet can raise cholesterol regardless of weight.
Sources reviewed: 2026-10-25
See also: Diabetes
References
- Grundy, S. M., Stone, N. J., Bailey, A. L., et al. (2019). 2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA guideline on the management of blood cholesterol. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 73(24), e285–e350.
- Mach, F., Baigent, C., Catapano, A. L., et al. (2020). 2019 ESC/EAS guidelines for the management of dyslipidaemias. European Heart Journal, 41(1), 111–188.