What happens if high cholesterol

In some cases, they may refer you to a specialist for more care. To help you achieve and maintain healthy cholesterol levels, your doctor may recommend changes to your diet. Eating fish and other foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids may also help lower your LDL levels.

For example, salmon, mackerel, and herring are rich sources of omega-3s. Walnuts, almonds, ground flaxseeds, and avocados also contain omega-3s. Statins are the most commonly prescribed medications for high cholesterol. They block your liver from producing more cholesterol.

One example is a combination of ezetimibe and simvastatin Vytorin. Learn more about the drugs used to treat high cholesterol. In some cases, you may be able to lower your cholesterol levels without taking medications.

For example, it may be enough to eat a nutritious diet, exercise regularly, and avoid smoking tobacco products. Some people also claim that certain herbal and nutritional supplements may help lower cholesterol levels. For instance, claims have been made about:. However, the level of evidence supporting these claims varies. More research is needed to learn if they can help treat this condition. Always talk with your doctor before taking any herbal or nutritional supplements.

However, lifestyle factors can be managed. In most cases, high cholesterol has no symptoms. But without treatment, high cholesterol can cause serious health issues. The good news is that your doctor can help you manage this condition, and in many cases, can help you avoid complications.

If they diagnose you with high cholesterol, ask them about your treatment options. Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and avoiding tobacco products may help you achieve and maintain healthy cholesterol levels.

It could also help lower your risk of complications from high cholesterol. We explain what healthy cholesterol levels are for adults and children. Also, learn about lifestyle changes and medications to help lower your…. This article explains how many eggs you can eat without harming yourself. Despite being high in cholesterol, eggs don't raise cholesterol in the blood. Cholesterol has many important functions.

Cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease, but recent research suggests the connection may be more complex than just limiting dietary cholesterol…. As arteries narrow and stiffen, blood clots may form a blockage, which can cause a stroke if it travels to the brain.

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and one of the main causes of disability, according to the American Stroke Association. But it can be mostly preventable; keeping your cholesterol levels down is one way to cut your risk.

For most people, high cholesterol has no symptoms at all, according to the AHA. But when it causes plaque buildup in larger arteries in your heart, coronary artery disease can result, which can involve angina tightness in the chest , chest pain, arrhythmia irregular heartbeat , and shortness of breath that can leave you low on energy, notes the NHLBI. Coronary artery disease is the most common heart disease, but many people have no idea they have it until they suffer a heart attack, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC.

If your numbers are too high, you can take steps to lower your risk for both heart disease and stroke. Besides following a healthy diet and getting regular exercise, take medications as instructed if your doctor prescribes them. High cholesterol alone is not thought to cause erectile dysfunction ED , but plaque-clogged arteries can, because blood flow is essential to an erection, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

Both of these factors can lead to ED as well. While stress is not a primary cause of high cholesterol, it may still have an effect on cholesterol levels.

A study published in May in the journal Medicine found that in people who experienced stress due to work or personal conflict, higher stress was a risk factor for high cholesterol. And when you are feeling stressed and pressed for time, you may be less likely to follow heart-healthy lifestyle measures, such as eating a nutritious diet and getting exercise. Your doctor will ask that you do not eat or drink anything for at least 12 hours prior to the test.

The American Heart Association recommends having your cholesterol levels checked every 4 to 6 years if you are a healthy adult over the age of You may need to have your cholesterol checked more often if you are at an increased risk of high cholesterol.

The goals of alternative treatment for heart disease are often to control cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, and improve heart health. Dietary cholesterol is not harmful as was previously believed. Here are 7 high-cholesterol foods that are very healthy. We explain what healthy cholesterol levels are for adults and children. Also, learn about lifestyle changes and medications to help lower your…. High cholesterol levels can stem from your diet, especially if you eat foods high in saturated fats, like red meat and butter.

Sometimes, though, your…. Cholesterol often gets a bad rap. Erectile dysfunction ED is caused by different factors, including poor heart health. Since high cholesterol levels can affect heart health, can….

Cholesterol ratio can give you additional information about your heart disease risk. Learn what your numbers mean and how to use them to tailor your…. High triglycerides can have many causes, including genetics. When it's an inherited condition, it's known as familial hypertriglyceridemia.

Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Symptoms of High Cholesterol. In general, healthy adults should check their cholesterol every four to six years, but your doctor may ask to check your cholesterol more often depending on your age, overall health, and other risk factors. There are other ways to prevent high cholesterol, too. Eating a diet low in saturated and trans fat and high in fiber and unsaturated fats can help prevent high cholesterol.

Foods like oatmeal, beans, avocados, and vegetable oils can lower LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol levels. Having a BMI in the overweight or obese range highly correlates with having excess body fat, which in turn can affect how your body processes cholesterol.

Excess body fat also slows down the ability to remove LDL cholesterol from the blood, raising your levels and increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke. Over the long term, high cholesterol can cause plaque to form in your arteries, which can then narrow and lead to a cardiovascular emergency.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and stroke is the fifth leading cause. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Health Topics. Health Tools. High Cholesterol. Reviewed: September 29, Medically Reviewed.

Approximately 93 million Americans over 20 years old, or almost 40 percent of the U. Slightly more than half of adults with high cholesterol are getting treatment to lower it, the CDC notes. Although scientists have long focused on measuring LDL cholesterol through a blood test, new research suggests that this narrow focus on LDL cholesterol levels does not necessarily lead to overall improved health outcomes for patients. Some people with healthy LDL levels may still develop heart disease.

People who already have high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, or other risk factors may need to check their cholesterol levels more often. According to the CDC, both hereditary and lifestyle-related factors contribute to high cholesterol, including the following. Eating a diet high in cholesterol, saturated fat, and trans fats is known to contribute to high cholesterol levels. Most animal and full-fat dairy products, and certain oils that are solid at room temperature, contain high levels of saturated fat.

In recent years, the AHA has stopped explicitly recommending against dietary cholesterol, after finding that it did not significantly correlate with heart disease risk.