Cholesterol FAQs

A: Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in the body. Having high "bad" cholesterol means you have too much LDL cholesterol in your blood. LDL cholesterol can build up in your arteries and prevent the blood from getting to your heart. HDL cholesterol is the "good" cholesterol. It carries LDL cholesterol away from your artery walls.

Here is some basic information you should know about cholesterol:

• Too much cholesterol in the blood, or high cholesterol, can be serious. People with high cholesterol are at risk of getting heart disease. This can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
• Only about 25% of cholesterol comes from the foods you eat. The other 75% is made by the body. Factors such as age and family history affect how much cholesterol your body makes.
• People with high cholesterol usually have no symptoms. But it can be detected with a blood test. These tests can also help your doctor predict what your risk for heart disease may be.

A: The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) says a desirable total cholesterol level is below 200 mg/dL.

A: When you have high cholesterol, a thick, waxy plaque can build up in your artery walls. As plaque builds up, the artery narrows and becomes less flexible, reducing blood flow. If a blood clot then forms and clogs the artery, you could have a heart attack or stroke.

Your overall cholesterol is important. But guidelines suggest that you focus on your LDL ("bad" cholesterol) level to manage high cholesterol.

Having high "bad" cholesterol means you have too much LDL cholesterol in your blood. LDL is low-density lipoprotein, or "bad" cholesterol. LDL cholesterol can build up in your arteries and prevent the blood from getting to your heart. HDL cholesterol is the "good" cholesterol. It carries LDL cholesterol away from your artery walls.

A: When you have high cholesterol, a thick, waxy plaque can build up in your artery walls. As plaque builds up, the artery narrows and becomes less flexible, reducing blood flow. If a blood clot then forms and clogs the artery, you could have a heart attack or stroke.

A: More than 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. has high cholesterol. In adults, total levels of 240 mg/dL or above are high. Levels from 200 mg/dL to 239 mg/dL are borderline high.

A: It is measured as milligrams of cholesterol per deciliter of blood (ie, mg/dL). Total cholesterol levels comprise LDL ("bad" cholesterol), HDL ("good" cholesterol), and triglyceride (a form of fat) levels.

A: That depends. Experts recommend that all adults over the age of 20 have their cholesterol levels measured at least once every 5 years. The American Heart Association recommends that you have your cholesterol checked more often if:

• Your total cholesterol is 200 mg/dL or more
• You are a man over 45 or a woman over 50
• Your HDL ("good" cholesterol) is less than 40 mg/dL
• You have other risk factors for heart disease and stroke

A: Yes. Before menopause, women usually have total levels lower than those of men the same age. As women and men get older, their cholesterol levels rise until about 60 to 65 years of age.

In women, menopause often causes an increase in their LDL ("bad" cholesterol) and a decrease in their HDL ("good" cholesterol) levels. And after the age of 50, women often have higher total levels than men of the same age.

A: Smoking increases risk of heart disease. Smoking raises LDL ("bad" cholesterol) and speeds up atherosclerosis.

A: Yes, diabetes is a risk factor. High triglycerides and low HDL ("good" cholesterol) levels are often present in people who have diabetes. These are risk factors for having heart disease.

A: "Stress" refers to the condition resulting from a person's response to physical, chemical, emotional, or environmental factors. It can mean physical effort as well as mental tension. All people feel stress differently and react to it in different ways.

Stress may play a role in raising cholesterol by affecting an individual's habits. Some people deal with it by overeating or eating foods with high fat content or by smoking. Foods rich in saturated fat and cholesterol and smoking can contribute to high cholesterol.

A: Based on the results and your overall risk, your cholesterol should be checked every 1 to 5 years. You and your doctor should discuss a schedule based on your medical history.

A:  The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) has booklets for adults and children. To order publications on cholesterol, weight, and physical activity or request a catalog, visit their Web site or write to:

National Cholesterol Education Program
NHLBI Information Center
P.O. Box 30105
Bethesda, MD 20824-0105