High Cholesterol

Home » High Cholesterol » High Cholesterol Causes and Risk Factors, Cholesterol Screening

Questions to Ask Your Doctor about High Cholesterol
(Free Handout)

High Cholesterol Causes and Risk Factors

Most of the cholesterol that circulates in the bloodstream is LDL ("bad") cholesterol. High LDL levels may result from a combination of the following risk factors:

• Age (over age 45 in men and age 55 in women)
• Certain medications (e.g., some diuretics, immunosuppressants, and corticosteroids)
• Cigarette smoking
• Diseases (e.g., diabetes, hypothyroidism)
• Gender (after menopause, women's LDL levels tend to rise)
• Genetic predisposition (i.e., family history of early heart disease)
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• High dietary intake of cholesterol
• Obesity

High Cholesterol Risks
Studies have shown that high cholesterol increases the risk for heart attack, stroke, circulation problems, and death.

In one study, cholesterol levels in young men with no known heart disease were measured and documented. Researchers then recorded heart attacks and deaths that occurred in the participants during a 6-year period. The study shows that the higher the cholesterol level, the greater the risk for a fatal heart attack. The risk for fatal heart attack is about 5 times greater in those with a cholesterol level of 300 mg/dL or higher than in those with a cholesterol level below 200 mg/dL.

In the Framingham Heart Study, cholesterol levels, smoking habits, heart attack rates, and deaths in the population of an entire town have been recorded for over 50 years. After 30 years, more than 85% of people with cholesterol levels of 180 mg/dL or lower were still alive, compared to about 67% of those with cholesterol levels higher than 260 mg/dL.

Triglycerides are the major form of fat in the body and consist of three fat molecules combined with one glycerol (type of alcohol) molecule. High blood levels of triglycerides are usually caused by a genetic predisposition, or by a high intake of fat or alcohol. The primary risk from high triglyceride levels is inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).

Cholesterol Screening
Recommendations for cholesterol screening and treatment have been provided by the National Institutes of Health and are summarized in the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP). The guidelines recommend that all adults have their cholesterol levels checked at least once every 5 years. Patients with coronary heart disease or other forms of atherosclerosis are at the highest risk for heart attack and stroke. These patients may benefit the most from cholesterol-reduction therapy and should have a full lipid profile annually.

The NCEP recommends checking the total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol levels. However, since many cholesterol-management decisions are based primarily on LDL cholesterol levels, a full lipid profile (i.e., total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides) may be recommended. Triglyceride and LDL levels are affected by eating, so it is necessary to fast for 12 hours before testing.

NCEP recommendations are based on the LDL cholesterol level because this level correlates closely with risk for heart attack and death, and because treatment of the LDL level has been the focus of recent studies.

There is no formula to determine what cholesterol level is considered "safe" and what cholesterol level requires treatment. General recommendations are based on ongoing research regarding future risk for heart attack. The reason for this is that a person without risk factors for coronary heart disease often can tolerate somewhat elevated cholesterol levels. In a person with established coronary heart disease, the risk for heart attack (or subsequent heart attack) and death is much higher, so even mildly elevated cholesterol levels must be treated aggressively.

Many physicians recommend that patients without known atherosclerosis should strive to lower their LDL cholesterol level below 160-190 mg/dL. In patients with risk factors for coronary heart disease (e.g., diabetes, high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, history of premature heart disease in parents or siblings), a level below 130 mg/dL may be considered more desirable. Patients with known atherosclerosis and LDL levels above 100-130 mg/dL are treated to lower their cholesterol to 70 mg/dL.

High Cholesterol, High Cholesterol Causes and Risk Factors, Cholesterol Screening reprinted with permission from cardiologychannel.com
© 1998-2009 Healthcommunities.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

High Cholesterol Resources

	Join Our High Cholesterol Forum Do you have a question, want to share medical advice, or just need to discuss your situation with someone else having a similar experience? The healthchannels forum is a resource for everyone to share and discuss their health and medical needs with others.	Advertising Disclaimer
	Living with...Share your story Do you have a personal health story that you would like to share with others? As a source of free patient education, our goal is to provide our users with trustworthy information and support from others. That's why we've started our "Living with..." sections.
	Our "Living With..." support pages are a place to share experiences about living with a certain condition, disease, disorder, or illness and for loved ones of those dealing with health-related issues. Many people, especially when newly diagnosed, find comfort in knowing that others are having a similar experience. Help others by sharing your story. View stories already submitted.
	Stay Updated Sign up for our newsletter and receive important updates on the medical conditions that are most important to you.
To quickly access health information from your website's browser, download Healthcommunities.com's healthchannels toolbar. Advertising Disclaimer