Heart Disease Center -- High Cholesterol
General Overview
High cholesterol is excess levels of cholesterol in the blood. Cholesterol in the blood consists of three main components: low density lipoproteins, high density lipoproteins, and triglycerides.
InDepth
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Find answers in our in-depth report on cholesterol:
- What are lipid disorders?
- What are the symptoms?
- What are the risk factors?
- How are the conditions diagnosed?
- What are the treatments?
- What are the screening tests?
- How can I reduce my risk?
- What questions should I ask my healthcare provider?
Living With High Cholesterol
Never mind the fad diets, weight-loss pills, and zany herbal remedies—it all comes down to a balanced diet and a regular exercise program.
Kids and cholesterol: keeping cholesterol under control
High cholesterol levels, along with other factors that put adults at risk for heart problems, put children at risk later in life.
Quitting smoking is one of the most daunting challenges you'll face in your life. It's an addiction that is both physical and psychological, but quitting smoking can be done.
Exercise helps keep your body healthy and your tissue and organs working properly. In keeping your body in good working order, exercise also helps ward off many diseases.
Whether it's a drug prescribed by a healthcare professional or just a bottle of Tylenol, medications require some special care.
Changing Your Diet
The more often you eat food prepared away from home, the more calories you consume, the less healthful the meals, and the heavier you become. Learn tips on becoming a calorie-conscious restaurant diner.
Changing Your Diet (Continued)
A high level of cholesterol in the blood is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, which leads to heart attack. Learn about the different kinds of fats and how you can make better food choices.
A heart-healthy lifestyle isn't about deprivation. It's about eating more—more fruits, more vegetables, more whole grains, and more unsaturated fats.
Special Topics
On July 13, 2004, a government-appointed panel of experts from the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) issued an update on cholesterol guidelines for men and women considered at risk of heart attack or stroke. Learn about the panel's recommendations.
Cholesterol. You've heard it's "bad for you," but why? Where does it come from? Does it do anything besides clog your arteries?
Related Conditions
Natural and Alternative Treatments (By Condition)
American Heart Association National Center http://www.american heart.org
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health