What does it mean when you have high cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a type of fat (lipid) in your blood. ... The buildup can also lead to dangerous blood clots and inflammation that can cause heart attacks and strokes. There are different types of cholesterol. LDL is the "bad" cholesterol. It's the kind that can raise your risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. 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

Causes of high cholesterol. High cholesterol is a significant risk factor for coronary heart disease and a cause of heart attacks. A build-up of cholesterol is part of the process that narrows arteries, called atherosclerosis, in which plaques form and cause restriction of blood flow. Reducing intake of fat in the diet helps manage cholesterol levels. read more

If you have high levels of these substances, you’re at increased risk for developing heart disease. Cholesterol. To understand what having a lipid disorder means, you need to know about cholesterol. The two major forms of cholesterol found in your body are low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). read more