High blood cholesterol levels

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

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)

A cholesterol test called a lipid profile is done to diagnose a lipid disorder. The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines call for everyone to have their first lipid profile by age 19. Children ages 9 to 11 years old should have their cholesterol tested once to check for familial hypercholesterolemia or other lipid problems.

Follow-up testing should be done:

• Every 5 years for adults with normal cholesterol levels
• Sooner if lifestyle changes occur, including weight gain or a change in diet
• More often for adults with a history of elevated cholesterol, diabetes, kidney problems, heart disease, and other blood vessel conditions

It is important to work with your health care provider to set your cholesterol goals.

General targets are:

LDL:

• Less than 100 mg/dL (2.59 mmol/L) for people at moderate risk for heart disease and stroke (primary prevention)
• Less than 70 mg/dL if you are at high risk, have diabetes, or have other risk factors (primary prevention)
• Less than 55 mg/dL if you have had a heart attack or stroke (secondary prevention)

HDL:

• 60 mg/dL (1.55 mmol/L) or higher
• Higher numbers are better

Total cholesterol:

• Less than 200 mg/dL (5.18 mmol/L)
• Lower numbers are better

Triglycerides:

• Less than 150 mg/dL (1.69 mmol/L)
• Lower numbers are better

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.

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.

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Last reviewed on: 1/1/2025

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.