High CholesterolSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About High Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a type of fat (called a lipid) that your body needs to work properly. There are "good" and "bad" types of cholesterol. Too much bad cholesterol in your blood can increase your chance of getting heart disease, stroke, and other health problems.
Common medical terms for high blood cholesterol are:
- Lipid disorder
- Hyperlipidemia
- Hypercholesterolemia
Cholesterol - high; Lipid disorders; Hyperlipoproteinemia; Hyperlipidemia; Dyslipidemia; Hypercholesterolemia
Common conditions include: Familial Hypercholesterolemia
There are many types of cholesterol. The most commonly discussed are:
- Total cholesterol -- a measurement of all types of cholesterol together
- Low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol -- often called bad cholesterol
- Very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL) -- similar to LDL cholesterol
- High density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol -- often called good cholesterol
For many people, abnormal cholesterol levels are partly due to lifestyle factors:
- Eating a diet that is high in fat
- Having overweight or having obesity
- Low physical activity
- Smoking, which can reduce your HDL (good cholesterol)
Some health conditions can also lead to abnormal cholesterol levels, including:
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome
- Pregnancy and other conditions that increase levels of female hormones
- Underactive thyroid gland
Some medicines also may raise cholesterol levels, such as certain types of:
- Birth control pills
- Diuretics (water pills)
- Beta-blockers
- Antidepressants
Several diseases that are passed down through families lead to abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels. They include:
- Familial combined hyperlipidemia
- Familial dysbetalipoproteinemia
- Familial hypercholesterolemia
- Familial hypertriglyceridemia
Steps you can take to improve your cholesterol levels and to help prevent heart disease and a heart attack include:
- Quit smoking. This is the single biggest change you can make to reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Eat a heart-healthy diet. This includes foods that are naturally low in fat such as vegetables, fruits and whole-grains.
- Use low-fat toppings, sauces, and dressings.
- Avoid foods that are high in saturated fat.
- Exercise regularly.
- Lose weight if you are overweight or have obesity.
Your provider may want you to take medicine for your cholesterol if lifestyle changes do not work. This will depend on:
- Your age
- Whether or not you have heart disease, diabetes, or other blood vessel problems
- Whether you smoke or are overweight
- Whether you have high blood pressure or diabetes
You are more likely to need medicine to lower your cholesterol:
- If you have heart disease or diabetes
- If you are at high risk for heart disease (even if you do not yet have any heart problems)
- If your LDL cholesterol is 160 mg/dL (4.14 mmol/L) or higher
- Your lipoprotein (a) [(lp(a)] level is 125 nmol/L or 50 mg/dL or higher
There are several types of medicines to help lower blood cholesterol levels. The medicines work in different ways. Statins are one kind of medicine that lowers cholesterol and has been proven to reduce the chance of heart disease. Other medicines are available if your risk is high and statins do not lower your cholesterol levels enough. These include ezetimibe, bempedoic acid, and PCSK9 inhibitors. Check with your provider about what is best for you.
Germantown Health Center
Amy Miller is a primary care provider, practicing in Family Medicine in Germantown, Wisconsin. Dr. Miller is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of High Cholesterol. She is also highly rated in 54 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Familial Hypertension, Glucocorticoid-Remediable Aldosteronism, Hypertension, and High Cholesterol. Dr. Miller is board certified in Family Medicine. Dr. Miller is currently accepting new patients.
Texas Health Adult Care
Paul Anthony is a primary care provider, practicing in Geriatrics and Internal Medicine in Plano, Texas. Dr. Anthony is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of High Cholesterol. He is also highly rated in 29 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses High Cholesterol, Infant Hyperglycemia, Sitosterolemia, and Multiple Carboxylase Deficiency. Dr. Anthony is currently accepting new patients.
Texas Health Family Care
William Drake is a primary care provider, practicing in Family Medicine in Fort Worth, Texas. Dr. Drake is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of High Cholesterol. He is also highly rated in 47 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Cirrhosis, Familial Combined Hyperlipidemia, Xanthoma, and High Cholesterol. Dr. Drake is currently accepting new patients.
High cholesterol levels can lead to hardening of the arteries, also called atherosclerosis. This occurs when fat, cholesterol, and other substances build up in the walls of arteries and form hard structures called plaques.
Over time, these plaques can narrow the arteries and cause heart disease, and other symptoms or problems throughout the body.
Sometimes the plaques can rupture or break loose and a clot can form and block blood flow and cause a heart attack or stroke.
Disorders that are passed down through families often lead to higher cholesterol levels that are harder to control.
Summary: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of solbinsiran in lowering triglycerides and other lipid measures compared to placebo in participants with severe hypertriglyceridemia. Participants will receive two subcutaneous injections.
Summary: This research study is being done to implement a screening program for prediabetes, diabetes, dyslipidemia and/or hyperlipidemia, and higher risk of cardiovascular disease in breast cancer survivors. This program will also help to direct individuals with risk factors to community and institutional resources for management.
Published Date: July 21, 2026
Published By: Michael A. Chen, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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