High Cholesterol
Alternate Names : Hypercholesterolemia
What can be done to prevent the disease?
Adults 20 years or over should be tested every five years for cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides. Some factors that affect cholesterol cannot be controlled. High cholesterol can run in families, for example, due to genetic factors. Many cases of high cholesterol can be prevented by choosing a healthy lifestyle. Recommendations include the following:
eating a heart-healthy diet low in cholesterol and saturated fat
exercising regularly
maintaining a healthy body weight
limiting alcohol intake
not smoking
seeking effective treatment for diabetes, hypothyroidism, and other health conditions
What are the long-term effects of the disease?
High levels of total and LDL cholesterol greatly increase the risk of atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and stroke. High cholesterol levels following a heart attack increase the chance of a second heart attack.
What are the risks to others?
High cholesterol is not contagious. However, some forms of high cholesterol run in families.
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