What does it mean if you have high cholesterol?

High Cholesterol. Having high cholesterol can lead to the buildup of plaque in artery walls. This buildup is called atherosclerosis. It can lead to coronary artery disease (CAD), heart attack, stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), and peripheral arterial disease. read more

Controllable Risk Factors for High Cholesterol Include: Diet: The trans fats, saturated fat, sugar, and (to a lesser extent) cholesterol in the food you eat raise total and LDL cholesterol levels. Weight: Being overweight can make your LDL cholesterol level go up and your HDL level go down. read more

It does not usually have any symptoms, and many people do not know they have it. We look at healthy levels and ranges of cholesterol, at ways to prevent it, and medications to treat it. High cholesterol is a risk factor for heart attacks and coronary heart disease, because it builds up in the arteries, narrowing them. read more