What is cholesterol and why do I need it?

Cholesterol is a waxy fat-like substance made from the liver and you can get it from your diet too. Your body uses it to make cells, certain vitamins, and hormones. It is typically useful for your body until you have too much of it.

How do I know if I have high cholesterol and when should I get tested?

There are no symptoms of high cholesterol, which is why it’s important to get your cholesterol tested. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that all adults ≥20 of age have their cholesterol checked every 4-6 years. People with cardiovascular disease, and those at elevated risk, may need their cholesterol and other risk factors assessed more often.

What are the different types of cholesterol?

There are 2 types of cholesterol LDL (low density lipoprotein) and HDL (high density lipoprotein). LDL contributes to fatty build up and plaques in your arteries. HDL carries the LDL cholesterol back to the liver to be broken down.

Why is high cholesterol harmful?

As the amount of LDL cholesterol in your blood goes up, it can lead to the buildup of plaque, which narrows your arteries. Over time, this can block the blood flow to your heart or your brain which can cause a heart attack or even a stroke.

What are some causes of high cholesterol?

While there are some risk factors that you cannot control, such as genetics, you can control certain factors. 

Risk factors:

  • Obesity
  • Smoking

How can I reduce my cholesterol?

You can reduce cholesterol by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Having a healthy balanced diet consisting of vegetables, fruits, and healthy protein sources can reduce your LDL levels. Try exercising or being physically active multiple times a week. Some examples include:

  • Going on a brisk walk
  • Walking your dog
  • Riding a bike 
  • Quit smoking → smoking can damage and speed up the hardening of your blood vessels.
    • Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about quitting smoking if you need help. 

What medications can lower cholesterol and who needs them?

Certain groups need more than lifestyle changes to manage cholesterol and may need medications such as statins to manage cholesterol levels. Some people who continue to have high levels of cholesterol and have tried lowering it through diet and exercise, may need cholesterol medication to further help lower their LDL levels. People with cardiovascular disease or diabetes may need cholesterol medication to protect their heart.

 

Written by:

Cindy Yuan

PharmD Candidate 2025

Philadelphia College of Pharmacy

 

References

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [Internet]. Atlanta (GA): Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; [updated 2024 May 15; cited 2024 June 21]. About cholesterol. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/about/index.html
  2. American Heart Association [Internet]. Dallas (TX): American Heart Association; [updated 2024; cited 2024 June 21]. Cholesterol. Available from: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol
  3. Grundy SM, Stone NJ, Bailey AL, Beam C, Birtcher KK, Blumenthal RS, Braun LT, de Ferranti S, Faiella-Tommasino J, Forman DE, Goldberg R, Heidenreich PA, Hlatky MA, Jones DW, Lloyd-Jones D, Lopez-Pajares N, Ndumele CE, Orringer CE, Peralta CA, Saseen JJ, Smith SC Jr, Sperling L, Virani SS, Yeboah J. 2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA Guideline on the Management of Blood Cholesterol: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2019 Jun 18;139(25):e1082-e1143.