Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is made by the liver and obtained through the diet. It can be found in the fats (lipids) in your blood. High cholesterol is when you have high amounts of cholesterol in the blood.
Cholesterol is essential in order for your body to continue building healthy cells, however having high cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease. This is because it can lead to a build-up of fatty deposits in your blood vessels, which overtime can make it difficult for enough blood to flow through your arteries and consequently to your heart.
There are two different types of cholesterol including:
There are no symptoms of high cholesterol. The only way to detect it is through a blood test. High cholesterol can be inherited or is the result of unhealthy lifestyle choices. The best way to control high cholesterol is through a healthy diet, regular exercise and medication.
High cholesterol can be caused by a number of things including:
A blood test, specifically a lipid panel or lipid profile, will show your total cholesterol levels.
The measured total cholesterol level is made up of your LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and 20% of triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood).
For an accurate reading you should not eat or drink anything between nine and twelve hours before the sample is taken.
In Australia, cholesterol levels are measured in millimoles per litre (mmol/L).
This is one of the key checks that we do on the mobile Heart Health Check Tour, along with checking your blood pressure and sugar levels. This visual cholesterol guide is also available as a PDF to download.
Leading a healthy lifestyle through exercise and a healthy diet is important to avoid high cholesterol. If your cholesterol levels remain high, your doctor may recommend medication to help reduce the level. These include:
If you have high triglycerides, your doctor may recommend the following:
To help prevent cholesterol you can:
Ask your doctor for a heart health check which looks at the key risk signs. Download our Heart Health Risk Assessment Guide to take with you to your next doctor's appointment.
Download your Assessment Guide