Know the Facts About High Cholesterol

What is high cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that your body needs. But, when you have too much in your blood, it can build up on the walls of your arteries. This can lead to heart disease and stroke, leading causes of death in the United States.¹

Are you at risk?

About one in every six adult Americans has high cholesterol.² Anyone, including children, can develop it.

Several factors that are beyond your control can increase your risk. These include your age, sex, and heredity. But, there are some risk factors that you can change. Examples include eating an unhealthy diet, being overweight, and not getting enough exercise.

What are the signs and symptoms?

High cholesterol itself does not have symptoms. Many people do not know that their cholesterol level is high. That’s why it’s important to schedule regular visits with your doctor. Be sure to ask about having your cholesterol tested.

How is high cholesterol diagnosed?

Doctors can do a simple blood test to check your cholesterol. Most adults should get their cholesterol levels checked every five years. If your total cholesterol is 200 mg/dL* or more, or if your HDL (good cholesterol) is less than 40 mg/dL, you will need to have a lipoprotein profile blood test done. Ask your doctor about what may be right for you.

Schedule a checkup

High cholesterol often has no symptoms, so regular checkups are important. Schedule an appointment with your doctor and ask if it’s time to have your cholesterol tested.

¹ CDC: Deaths: Final Data for 2008.
www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr59/nvsr59_10.pdf

² CDC: High serum total cholesterol, an indicator for monitoring cholesterol lowering efforts; U.S. adults, 2005–2006.
www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db02.pdf

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Know the Facts About High Cholesterol.