Symptoms, Causes, Levels, and More

Causes of high cholesterol include diet, smoking, and genetics. High cholesterol rarely causes symptoms, so it’s important to have routine cholesterol screenings if you’re at risk.

High cholesterol is a pretty common issue in the U.S. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 94 million U.S. adults ages 20 or older have what could be considered borderline high cholesterol.

However, because this condition can often present without any real symptoms, you may not even know you have it until you visit your doctor.

If you’re wondering what causes high cholesterol, what to do if you’ve been diagnosed with it, and if there are ways to reverse it (hint: there are), read on for all the answers.

Cholesterol is a type of lipid. It’s a waxy, fat-like substance that your liver produces naturally. It’s vital for the formation of cell membranes, certain hormones, and vitamin D.

Cholesterol doesn’t dissolve in water, so it can’t travel through your blood on its own. To help transport cholesterol, your liver produces lipoproteins.

Lipoproteins are particles made from fat and protein. They carry cholesterol and triglycerides, another type of lipid, through your bloodstream. The two major forms of lipoprotein are low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL).

LDL cholesterol is any cholesterol carried by low-density lipoproteins. If your blood contains too much LDL cholesterol, you may be diagnosed with high cholesterol. Without treatment, high cholesterol may lead to many health issues, including heart attack and stroke.

High cholesterol rarely causes symptoms in the beginning. That’s why it’s important to get your cholesterol levels checked on a regular basis.

In most cases, high cholesterol is a “silent” condition. It typically doesn’t cause any symptoms. Many people don’t even realize they have high cholesterol until they develop serious complications, such as a heart attack or stroke.

That’s why routine cholesterol screening is important. If you’re 20 years or older, ask your doctor if you should have routine cholesterol screening. Learn how this screening could potentially save your life.

Eating too many foods that are high in cholesterol, saturated fats, and trans fats may increase your risk of developing high cholesterol. Living with obesity can also increase your risk. Other lifestyle factors that can contribute to high cholesterol include inactivity and smoking.

Your genetics can also affect your chances of developing high cholesterol. Genes are passed down from parents to children. Certain genes instruct your body on how to process cholesterol and fats. If your parents have high cholesterol, you may be at a greater risk of having it too.

In rare cases, high cholesterol is caused by familial hypercholesterolemia. This genetic disorder prevents your body from removing LDL. According to the National Human Genome Research Institute, most adults with this condition have total cholesterol levels above 300 milligrams per deciliter and LDL levels above 200 milligrams per deciliter.

Other health conditions, such as diabetes and hypothyroidism, may also increase your risk of developing high cholesterol and related complications.

LDL cholesterol is often called “bad cholesterol.” It carries cholesterol to your arteries. If your levels of LDL cholesterol are too high, it can build up on the walls of your arteries.

This buildup is also known as cholesterol plaque. This plaque can narrow your arteries, limit your blood flow, and raise your risk of blood clots. If a blood clot blocks an artery in your heart or brain, it can cause a heart attack or stroke.

HDL cholesterol is sometimes called “good cholesterol.” It helps return LDL cholesterol to your liver to be removed from your body. This helps prevent cholesterol plaque from building up in your arteries.

When you have healthy levels of HDL cholesterol, it can help lower your risk of blood clots, heart disease, and stroke.

Triglycerides are another type of lipid. They’re different from cholesterol. While your body uses cholesterol to build cells and certain hormones, it uses triglycerides as a source of energy.

When you eat more calories than your body can use right away, it converts those calories into triglycerides. It stores triglycerides in your fat cells. It also uses lipoproteins to circulate triglycerides through your bloodstream.

If you regularly eat more calories than your body can use, your triglyceride levels may become too high. This can raise your risk of several health problems, including heart disease and stroke.

Your doctor can use a simple blood test to measure your triglyceride level, as well as your cholesterol levels.

If you’re 20 years or older, the American Heart Association recommends getting your cholesterol levels checked at least once every 4 to 6 years. If you have a history of high cholesterol or other risk factors for cardiovascular disease, your doctor may encourage you to get your cholesterol levels tested more often.

Your doctor can use a lipid panel to measure your total cholesterol level, as well your LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. Your total cholesterol level is the overall amount of cholesterol in your blood. It includes LDL and HDL cholesterol.

If your levels of total cholesterol or LDL cholesterol are too high, your doctor may diagnose you with high cholesterol. High cholesterol can be dangerous when your LDL levels are too high and your HDL levels are too low.

If you need help finding a primary care doctor, then check out our FindCare tool here.

Cholesterol levels chart

Being diagnosed with high cholesterol doesn’t automatically mean you will be put on medication. If your doctor does prescribe you medication, different factors may influence the type of medication they recommend.

With this in mind, most physicians use generalized measurements to decide on treatment plans. They may categorize these measurements as desirable, borderline high, or high cholesterol.

According to the National Library of Medicine, the total cholesterol of most adults can be categorized as:

The National Library of Medicine also provides optimal to high categories of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels:

Again, these measurements are general. You and your doctor will consider other personal factors before deciding on a treatment plan.

Your body needs some cholesterol to function properly, including some LDL. But if your LDL levels are too high, it can raise your risk of serious health problems.

In 2018, the American College of Cardiologists and the American Heart Association updated their recommendations for the treatment of high cholesterol.

Under the new guidelines, in addition to your cholesterol levels, treatment recommendations analyze other risk factors for heart disease, such as family history and other health issues. The guidelines use all these factors to consider a person’s overall chance of developing complications during the next 10 years.

You may be at a higher risk of developing high cholesterol if you:

• are living with obesity
• consume a lot of saturated and trans fats, like those found in fast food
• have limited physical activity
• smoke tobacco products
• have a family history of high cholesterol
• have diabetes, kidney disease, or hypothyroidism

People of all ages, genders, and ethnicities can have high cholesterol.

Without treatment, high cholesterol can cause plaque to build up in your arteries. Over time, this plaque can narrow your arteries. This condition is known as atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is a serious condition. It can limit the flow of blood through your arteries. It also raises your risk of developing dangerous blood clots.

Atherosclerosis can result in many life threatening complications, such as:

• stroke
• heart attack
• angina, or chest pain
• high blood pressure
• peripheral vascular disease
• chronic kidney disease

High cholesterol can also create a bile imbalance, raising your risk of gallstones. See the other ways that high cholesterol can impact your body.

You can’t control the genetic risk factors for high cholesterol. However, lifestyle factors can be managed.

To lower your risk of developing high cholesterol:

• Eat a nutritious diet that’s low in cholesterol and animal fats, and high in fiber.
• Avoid excessive alcohol consumption.
• Maintain a moderate weight.
• E.xercise regularly.
• Avoid smoking.

Follow your doctor’s recommendations for routine cholesterol screening. If you’re at risk of high cholesterol or coronary heart disease, they will likely encourage you to get your cholesterol levels tested on a regular basis.

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.

To learn if you have high cholesterol, ask your doctor to test your cholesterol levels, especially if you’re 20 years or older. If they diagnose you with high cholesterol, ask them about your treatment options.

To lower your risk of complications from high cholesterol, practice healthy lifestyle habits and follow your doctor’s recommended treatment plan.

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.

Symptoms, Causes, Levels, and More

Causes of high cholesterol include diet, smoking, and genetics. High cholesterol rarely causes symptoms, so it’s important to have routine cholesterol screenings if you’re at risk.

High cholesterol is a pretty common issue in the U.S. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 94 million U.S. adults ages 20 or older have what could be considered borderline high cholesterol.

However, because this condition can often present without any real symptoms, you may not even know you have it until you visit your doctor.

If you’re wondering what causes high cholesterol, what to do if you’ve been diagnosed with it, and if there are ways to reverse it (hint: there are), read on for all the answers.

Cholesterol is a type of lipid. It’s a waxy, fat-like substance that your liver produces naturally. It’s vital for the formation of cell membranes, certain hormones, and vitamin D.

Cholesterol doesn’t dissolve in water, so it can’t travel through your blood on its own. To help transport cholesterol, your liver produces lipoproteins.

Lipoproteins are particles made from fat and protein. They carry cholesterol and triglycerides, another type of lipid, through your bloodstream. The two major forms of lipoprotein are low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL).

LDL cholesterol is any cholesterol carried by low-density lipoproteins. If your blood contains too much LDL cholesterol, you may be diagnosed with high cholesterol. Without treatment, high cholesterol may lead to many health issues, including heart attack and stroke.

High cholesterol rarely causes symptoms in the beginning. That’s why it’s important to get your cholesterol levels checked on a regular basis.

In most cases, high cholesterol is a “silent” condition. It typically doesn’t cause any symptoms. Many people don’t even realize they have high cholesterol until they develop serious complications, such as a heart attack or stroke.

That’s why routine cholesterol screening is important. If you’re 20 years or older, ask your doctor if you should have routine cholesterol screening. Learn how this screening could potentially save your life.

Eating too many foods that are high in cholesterol, saturated fats, and trans fats may increase your risk of developing high cholesterol. Living with obesity can also increase your risk. Other lifestyle factors that can contribute to high cholesterol include inactivity and smoking.

Your genetics can also affect your chances of developing high cholesterol. Genes are passed down from parents to children. Certain genes instruct your body on how to process cholesterol and fats. If your parents have high cholesterol, you may be at a greater risk of having it too.

In rare cases, high cholesterol is caused by familial hypercholesterolemia. This genetic disorder prevents your body from removing LDL. According to the National Human Genome Research Institute, most adults with this condition have total cholesterol levels above 300 milligrams per deciliter and LDL levels above 200 milligrams per deciliter.

Other health conditions, such as diabetes and hypothyroidism, may also increase your risk of developing high cholesterol and related complications.

LDL cholesterol is often called “bad cholesterol.” It carries cholesterol to your arteries. If your levels of LDL cholesterol are too high, it can build up on the walls of your arteries.

This buildup is also known as cholesterol plaque. This plaque can narrow your arteries, limit your blood flow, and raise your risk of blood clots. If a blood clot blocks an artery in your heart or brain, it can cause a heart attack or stroke.

HDL cholesterol is sometimes called “good cholesterol.” It helps return LDL cholesterol to your liver to be removed from your body. This helps prevent cholesterol plaque from building up in your arteries.

When you have healthy levels of HDL cholesterol, it can help lower your risk of blood clots, heart disease, and stroke.

Triglycerides are another type of lipid. They’re different from cholesterol. While your body uses cholesterol to build cells and certain hormones, it uses triglycerides as a source of energy.

When you eat more calories than your body can use right away, it converts those calories into triglycerides. It stores triglycerides in your fat cells. It also uses lipoproteins to circulate triglycerides through your bloodstream.

If you regularly eat more calories than your body can use, your triglyceride levels may become too high. This can raise your risk of several health problems, including heart disease and stroke.

Your doctor can use a simple blood test to measure your triglyceride level, as well as your cholesterol levels.

If you’re 20 years or older, the American Heart Association recommends getting your cholesterol levels checked at least once every 4 to 6 years. If you have a history of high cholesterol or other risk factors for cardiovascular disease, your doctor may encourage you to get your cholesterol levels tested more often.

Your doctor can use a lipid panel to measure your total cholesterol level, as well your LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. Your total cholesterol level is the overall amount of cholesterol in your blood. It includes LDL and HDL cholesterol.

If your levels of total cholesterol or LDL cholesterol are too high, your doctor may diagnose you with high cholesterol. High cholesterol can be dangerous when your LDL levels are too high and your HDL levels are too low.

If you need help finding a primary care doctor, then check out our FindCare tool here.

Cholesterol levels chart

Being diagnosed with high cholesterol doesn’t automatically mean you will be put on medication. If your doctor does prescribe you medication, different factors may influence the type of medication they recommend.

With this in mind, most physicians use generalized measurements to decide on treatment plans. They may categorize these measurements as desirable, borderline high, or high cholesterol.

According to the National Library of Medicine, the total cholesterol of most adults can be categorized as:

The National Library of Medicine also provides optimal to high categories of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels:

Again, these measurements are general. You and your doctor will consider other personal factors before deciding on a treatment plan.

Your body needs some cholesterol to function properly, including some LDL. But if your LDL levels are too high, it can raise your risk of serious health problems.

In 2018, the American College of Cardiologists and the American Heart Association updated their recommendations for the treatment of high cholesterol.

Under the new guidelines, in addition to your cholesterol levels, treatment recommendations analyze other risk factors for heart disease, such as family history and other health issues. The guidelines use all these factors to consider a person’s overall chance of developing complications during the next 10 years.

You may be at a higher risk of developing high cholesterol if you:

• are living with obesity
• consume a lot of saturated and trans fats, like those found in fast food
• have limited physical activity
• smoke tobacco products
• have a family history of high cholesterol
• have diabetes, kidney disease, or hypothyroidism

People of all ages, genders, and ethnicities can have high cholesterol.

Without treatment, high cholesterol can cause plaque to build up in your arteries. Over time, this plaque can narrow your arteries. This condition is known as atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is a serious condition. It can limit the flow of blood through your arteries. It also raises your risk of developing dangerous blood clots.

Atherosclerosis can result in many life threatening complications, such as:

• stroke
• heart attack
• angina, or chest pain
• high blood pressure
• peripheral vascular disease
• chronic kidney disease

High cholesterol can also create a bile imbalance, raising your risk of gallstones. See the other ways that high cholesterol can impact your body.

You can’t control the genetic risk factors for high cholesterol. However, lifestyle factors can be managed.

To lower your risk of developing high cholesterol:

• Eat a nutritious diet that’s low in cholesterol and animal fats, and high in fiber.
• Avoid excessive alcohol consumption.
• Maintain a moderate weight.
• E.xercise regularly.
• Avoid smoking.

Follow your doctor’s recommendations for routine cholesterol screening. If you’re at risk of high cholesterol or coronary heart disease, they will likely encourage you to get your cholesterol levels tested on a regular basis.

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.

To learn if you have high cholesterol, ask your doctor to test your cholesterol levels, especially if you’re 20 years or older. If they diagnose you with high cholesterol, ask them about your treatment options.

To lower your risk of complications from high cholesterol, practice healthy lifestyle habits and follow your doctor’s recommended treatment plan.

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.

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Reviews from around the world (267)

Product reviews represent the views of the authors only and not those of iHerb. iHerb does not verify or endorse any claims made in these reviews. Dietary supplement claims have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health disorder. Show More

Verified Purchase

Awarded Review

My husband has high cholesterol, there was no chapel for my anxiety, we drank statically on the recommendation of doctors, but this is all such nonsense. Here he drinks at the time of taking everything is in order, it’s worth quitting, and everything is just a nightmare creeping up. We tried a lot of things, for which – then the time decreased then again terrifying numbers. This means that you can, of course, follow a diet and drink decoctions, but this is not for us. My husband has such a work schedule that there is no way to brew, there is no way to insist. my surprise is that our cholesterol is now 5.7 instead of 8.9no more statins and strict diets and concoctions.

Published Oct 16, 2021

Verified Purchase

Awarded Review

Great supplement that normalizes cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Formulated with Chromium, Proprietary Blend of Sytrinol™ Extracts, Milk Thistle Fruit and Seed Extract, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Policosanol. Chromium normalizes lipid metabolism, reduces blood glucose, converts fats and proteins into energy and is involved in muscle building, and also has a positive effect on vision. A low level of chromium in the body leads to an increase in cholesterol levels. Sytrinol™ is a proprietary formula of polymethoxylated flavones that may help support healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Milk thistle seed and fruit extract improves the functioning of the digestive system, helps with poisoning, fights dysbacteriosis, lowers blood sugar and cholesterol levels, activates the elimination of toxins, and strengthens the immune system. Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) is a powerful, versatile antioxidant. I recommend this supplement.

Verified Purchase

Awarded Review

I liked Sytrinol. I take it to lower my cholesterol. I was prescribed statins, but I don’t want to take them. I also take omega 3s and red yeast rice to lower my cholesterol. The result is good. I recommend. If not available, then instead of sytrinola I take cholistirol support from zoi. I also recommend. All health!!!! Do not be ill!!!!!

Verified Purchase

Awarded Review

Often not for sale, you have to catch it. The action is mild, as a result of taking it earlier for 2 months, it was possible to reduce cholesterol from 8 to normal. It is very profitable to take on the stock, it is worth stocking up when the price drops.

Verified Purchase

Awarded Review

Worked Faster Than Pills
We have been taking capsules (my mother and I) for several months now, in courses. It is better to take the kit recommended by Now Foods: Sitrinol, Red Rice Yeast, Nicotinic Acid, Pantethine.
The level of sugar in the blood dropped to normal (was slightly above normal) and cholesterol decreased. And no unpleasant side effects, which were from two months of taking pills a year ago.
Now, as I already mentioned, we buy a “set”, we accept it until the end. We take a break, taking at this time the preparation of aged garlic (for the same purpose), for about 1.5 months, and, again, a set with Sitrinol.
All good health!

Confirmed purchase

Rewarded review

I ordered my mother from high halisterin, blood pressure jumps, they added Omega 3 to it, they are satisfied, pressure gradually normalizes! When using the product, consult a doctor!

Verified Purchase

Awarded Review

Complementing. Has handed over analyzes cholesterol has decreased from 11 to 7 with kopeks!!! Not perfect, but also without statins. In general, doctors should be ashamed to look at practice exclusively through the narrow gap of institute knowledge, especially since the profession involves lifelong learning. Ideally)))
I drink on the recommendation of a doctor, my cholesterol has risen to 11, in the complete absence of excess weight, high blood pressure, animal fats, age 47. Cardiologists in Moscow, even in cool clinics, do not prescribe anything other than statins! But I do not drink them stubbornly and bring down cholesterol in other ways sytrinol, omega, well, and something else)). I’m going to take tests soon, then I’ll definitely write off. More generously click on 👍, good luck to everyone!))

Verified purchase

Rewarded review

Just drinking, cholesterol not checked, but feeling better. like a multivitamin. It is good to alternate with different versions of similar dietary supplements. when they write that cholesterol falls for a while, and then rises, it’s ridiculous. That’s what herbs are for, drink longer.

Confirmed purchase

Rewarded review

I ordered it for a friend, she has high cholesterol, and an advanced analysis showed that it was bad cholesterol that was high. Doctors began to suggest drinking statins, she refused. As a result, another doctor advised me to drink this complex .The result of dieting, cholesterol was 8.7 became 6.7!

Verified Purchase

Awarded Review

Recommended by a friend to lower blood cholesterol. The size is quite large, enough for two months. The benefits are undeniable, it helps to improve the functioning of the heart and lowers cholesterol levels. The taste is neutral, I don’t drink for long, it’s too early to judge the result, I’ll unsubscribe later. But those who advised do not drink for the first time and say that the supplement is working.

Comments on the material Which of the usual products increase cholesterol: they can be found in every kitchen! | 45.ru

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