High Cholesterol and how it can affect your health
19.APR.2024
Written by Dani Roche Medically reviewed by Dr. Zara Fullerton
High cholesterol often shows little to no symptoms. When left undiagnosed, it can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. ¹ Early detection is crucial to improve your health outcomes.
What are the symptoms of high cholesterol?
Symptoms of high cholesterol often don’t begin to show until further complications arise. This is why linking with your healthcare provider for routine screenings and healthy lifestyle choices is key for early detection and prevention.
How to know you have high cholesterol
As symptoms are not always apparent, testing is the most reliable way to know if you have high cholesterol. The CDC recommends that most healthy adults should have their cholesterol checked every 4 to 6 years. Some people, such as people who have heart disease, diabetes, or a family history of high cholesterol, need to get their cholesterol checked more often.
The consequences of high cholesterol
High cholesterol can increase the risk of many health conditions.
Heart Disease: High LDL cholesterol and low HDL cholesterol are both risk factors for atherosclerosis - the leading cause of heart disease. ² Atherosclerosis is a condition in which cholesterol, fats, and other substances build up in the arteries - this build-up is called a plaque and it may lead to health conditions such as coronary artery disease.
Heart attack: A heart attack occurs when the arteries in your heart become blocked; this cuts off the blood supply to the heart, preventing your heart muscle from functioning properly.
Stroke: High cholesterol is a risk factor for stroke, a condition in which sufficient blood flow cannot reach the brain.
Please note that the following is for educational use only and is not a substitute for medical advice. This content cannot diagnose or provide information about treatment. Consult with your healthcare provider if you have any concerns or need specific medical advice relating to any symptoms, conditions, diagnosis, or treatment. Do not delay seeking medical advice and do not disregard professional medical advice based on this content. Your healthcare provider can provide the most suitable guidance based on your situation.