Cholesterol is a fatty substance your liver makes that can be bad or good for your heart health. Learn the recommended cholesterol levels by age, sex, and risk factors, as well as the treatment options and lifestyle changes to lower your cholesterol. Find out the difference between LDL, HDL, triglycerides, and more.
A blood test to check cholesterol levels — called a lipid panel or lipid profile — typically reports: Total cholesterol. LDL cholesterol. HDL cholesterol. Triglycerides — a type of fat in the blood. Generally you're required to fast, consuming no food or liquids other than water, for nine to 12 hours before the test.Key facts Cholesterol is produced by your body and also found in some foods. While some cholesterol is used in normal body processes, too much cholesterol can damage your arteries and increase your risk of heart disease. Important measures of cholesterol include HDL ("good cholesterol") and LDL ("bad cholesterol").
High cholesterol means that you have too much cholesterol in your blood. There are many things that can cause this. If you don't take steps to lower high cholesterol, it can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke . Find out more about the types of cholesterol. What causes high cholesterol? Anyone can develop high cholesterol.Diagnosis. High cholesterol is a condition that occurs when levels of cholesterol in your blood are elevated enough to cause health problems, including heart disease and stroke. Sometimes known as