High Cholesterol: Fast Facts

Cholesterol is a waxy fat that is always present in our bodies.
Some of our cholesterol comes from the food we eat, but the liver makes most of it (about 80 percent).
A certain amount of cholesterol is vital for good health.
Low cholesterol levels can indicate problems such as malnutrition or a thyroid disorder.
The medical term for an excessive amount of cholesterol in the blood (over 240 milligrams per deciliter [mg/dL]) is hypercholesterolemia.
"Good" cholesterol is HDL (high-density lipoprotein). "Bad" cholesterol is LDL (low-density lipoprotein).
HDL is good because it reduces LDL.
LDL is bad because it hardens and clogs the arteries. That can lead to heart disease, heart attack or stroke.
Triglycerides are another type of blood fat that is needed by the body but can contribute to heart disease when present in large amounts.
Some experts say women need more HDL cholesterol than men because women have increased risk of heart attack after menopause.
Your cholesterol levels are revealed by a blood test, which may be called a blood fat profile, a lipid profile or a cholesterol test.

Your cholesterol ratio is your total cholesterol divided by your HDL.
A portion (one-fifth) of the total triglyceride level is a part of the total cholesterol blood test result used to diagnose high cholesterol.
Exercise and sensible eating habits are good ways to improve cholesterol levels.
Cholesterol drugs are among the most common prescription medications.
Women are much less likely than men to seek and get treatment for high cholesterol.
Some genetic researchers suggest that people with large cholesterol particles (lipoproteins) are more likely to live to a ripe old age.
The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) recommends that both males and females 20 years of age and older have a cholesterol test every five years.